Opinion on binocular vs monocular focusing hood for 4x5

Alan Gales · Apr 5, 2016

wiltw said:
Here's a photo of my Horseman folding binocular reflex finder, collapsed

then open and ready for use, shown in the downward looking view for a camera at relatively low level (unless you are on a ladder)

then positioned as if the camera were aimed downward

then shown with me looking upward for focusing when the camera is up high

You look a bit silly but I guess better than having "dark cloth" hair!

RobC · Apr 5, 2016

That does look a better viewer than most, shame they don't make them anymore.

wiltw · Apr 5, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Can these viewers be attached so that they're angled down when the camera is at a height? If so, the photographer could sit on a small folding stool or a carrying case.

Alan Gales said:
You look a bit silly but I guess better than having "dark cloth" hair!

Frankly I had never used it that way! I took the photo in response to Theo Sulphate asking, and kmallick posting, "I agree that keeping the camera as high as possible is a plus."

kmallick · Apr 5, 2016

Doremus Scudder said:
Well... There's really no substitute for getting your head in a dark place together with your ground glass, especially if you use and movements whatsoever. Viewing hoods are an alternative, but not optimal by any means. They are fiddly, tend to take time to mount/dismount are easy to drop, take up room, are fragile, etc.

So, I'll recommend two things. First, get a good Fresnel screen for your camera if it doesn't already have one. With a good Fresnel and adequate light you can often get by without using a dark cloth at all in the field. My Wista DXs have no hoods, etc. and I often focus and shoot without the dark cloth.

That said, when you need to, a dark cloth is one of the more comfortable ways to work. You can move your head around easily, check corners, tip your focusing loupe to match the angle of the light hitting the ground glass for better viewing, etc., none of which you can do with a viewing hood. I'd at least try to get used to using a dark cloth before shelling out for an expensive hood. I'll bet that with a little familiarity you will learn to like it. If you find you can't stand it, then you can always get the hood later.

FWIW, I use reading glasses at a strength to get me 8 inches or so from the ground glass for viewing and rough focusing and then a loupe for fine focusing.

Best,

Doremus

Thanks for the good advice. I have tried dark cloth and I just don't like it. If that means I can't be the most suave large format photographer, so be it. I was looking for advice on focusing hood and not a lecture on dark cloth.

And yes I do have a fresnel screen and I do enjoy looking at ground glass. But I do not like wrapping dark cloth around my neck and using a loupe. Again, I appreciate the advice but not what I was looking for.

kmallick · Apr 5, 2016

RalphLambrecht said:
Don't you mean Toyo4x5;Toyota makes cars not cameras afaik

Ooops, auto correction made me mix up camera with auto maker. I did mean Toyo.

kmallick · Apr 5, 2016

Thanks for all the good suggestions, tips and pictures. I settled for the Toyo made binocular hood.

ChuckP · Apr 6, 2016

Toyo also makes a balloon type focusing hood: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/112198-REG/Toyo_View_180_841_4x5_Balloon_Focusing_Hood.html
I use one on my 45A.

Brandonium · Apr 6, 2016

I think it all depends on your style of shooting. I used and still use a TLR so I am accustomed to looking down to shoot and my style normally has a majority of my photos taken from that vantage point. I believe there is an assumption with many of these posts that one should shoot or normally shoots from the position where the camera is at eye level with the photographer. There is nothing that states this is a must and once again this falls under the category of preference. So with that I would say go with whichever one feels the most comfortable for you. Just make sure that your screen/lens is bright enough for you to adequately compose your photo. I'll be modifying my Speed Graphic for either one of these in the near future as I do not enjoy composition as much looking forward as I do looking down.

Huub · Apr 6, 2016

Next to the balloon type focussing hood Toyo makes a flexible monoculair one, fitted with a 1.5X enlarging mangnifying glass. I have used one for years and it works like a song. It is more or less like the chimney viewer on a 'Blad, except that it points straight back. Look at the Toyo side under assecoires on the 45AII, to see a good picture of it.

kmallick · Apr 8, 2016

I received the Toyo bincocular reflex hood and it seems to be a pretty nice accessory. My face with glass fits comfortably inside the hood, the mirror is bright and its a pleasure to look down and see a right side up image. I can adjust the and tweak the angle of the mirror using the knob, which is an added nice-to-have feature. I should have got this gizmo earlier.

There is a slight problem. The big boxy thing is weighing down and pulling down on the rear frame. Anyone with similar hood had the same problem?
I wish I could support it from underneath.

Also any idea on what is that spring sort of thing running down the narrow tube with a bent loop on the top end there for? I have seen a chain dangling in some pictures as well.

kmallick · Apr 8, 2016

Huub said:
Next to the balloon type focussing hood Toyo makes a flexible monoculair one, fitted with a 1.5X enlarging mangnifying glass. I have used one for years and it works like a song. It is more or less like the chimney viewer on a 'Blad, except that it points straight back. Look at the Toyo side under assecoires on the 45AII, to see a good picture of it.

I know what unit you are talking about. It seems useful and so is the balloon type. I will grab one if I find one at a reasonable price.

wiltw · Apr 8, 2016

kmallick said:
There is a slight problem. The big boxy thing is weighing down and pulling down on the rear frame. Anyone with similar hood had the same problem?
I wish I could support it from underneath.

Also any idea on what is that spring sort of thing running down the narrow tube with a bent loop on the top end there for? I have seen a chain dangling in some pictures as well.

I believe you just answered your own question with the next sentence...the spring pulls the binocular viewer against the groundglass back, so it does not pull the rear frame downward. Rather than along the side, my Horseman spring is positioned to set along the top edge.

kmallick · Apr 8, 2016

wiltw said:
I believe you just answered your own question with the next sentence...the spring pulls the binocular viewer against the groundglass back, so it does not pull the rear frame downward. Rather than along the side, my Horseman spring is positioned to set along the top edge.

Hmmm. I cannot figure out how to use it. How do I use the hook and where does it tie on to to get the support?

Brandonium · Apr 11, 2016

I've been looking for a binocular viewer for my pacemaker speed graphic with graflok back. I'm assuming that many of these don't fit without modification right?

Dan Fromm · Apr 11, 2016

Right. Polaroid MP-4 binocular viewing hoods can be got for little money and have been adapted to a variety of cameras. Look for one on eBay.

Opinion on binocular vs monocular focusing hood for 4x5

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