WLF - how often do you use the magnify glass/loupe?

rayonline_nz · Feb 1, 2019

I always use it so I can critically focus my images. How often do you guys use it, I guess one could get away without it but wouldn't the focus be a bit off? "

Cheers.

bdial · Feb 1, 2019

I use it for pretty much every exposure. I even do a lot of my composing through the magnifier.

pbromaghin · Feb 1, 2019

Dittos to bdial.

Eric Rose · Feb 1, 2019

All the time. I compose without it.

mrosenlof · Feb 1, 2019

I compose with the magnifier.

MattKing · Feb 1, 2019

Nowadays I rarely use the WLF without the magnifier.
When I was younger and didn't need glasses, I could use the finder without the magnifier.

Richard Man · Feb 1, 2019

100% because otherwise, the image is out of focus for me

Sirius Glass · Feb 1, 2019

I use a prism which magnifies all the time.

BrianShaw · Feb 1, 2019

Ditto... use it every time.

guangong · Feb 2, 2019

I am a bit confused. The first responses seem to be referring to grain focusers, not loupes. I use loops for examining negatives and slides. Use a Schneider or Agfa for 35mm and a Hasselblad chimney viewer as a loupe for MF with light table.

M. Axel Wikstrom · Feb 2, 2019

When my eyes were younger I didn't need it as much. Now I need it all the time.

Stephen Prunier · Feb 2, 2019

I use it all the time too. I envy those who can work without it.

R.Gould · Feb 2, 2019

for crictical focus always

dxqcanada · Feb 2, 2019

guangong said:
I am a bit confused. The first responses seem to be referring to grain focusers, not loupes. I use loops for examining negatives and slides. Use a Schneider or Agfa for 35mm and a Hasselblad chimney viewer as a loupe for MF with light table.

WLF = waist level finder
So I assuming the OP is referring to the commonly found flip up magnifier lens found on almost all TLR's ... and other finders.

I use it half of the time ... I still make myself believe my eyesight is still that awesome.

Sirius Glass · Feb 2, 2019

guangong said:
I am a bit confused. The first responses seem to be referring to grain focusers, not loupes. I use loops for examining negatives and slides. Use a Schneider or Agfa for 35mm and a Hasselblad chimney viewer as a loupe for MF with light table.

Well I only use a grain focuser when I am enlarging and that is every time. Never for contact prints, but heck that is just me being me.

jim10219 · Feb 2, 2019

For portraits and close ups, always. For landscapes, rarely. My eye sight is pretty good (with contacts or glasses), so I don't really need it, but it's still helpful as a double check when I'm trying to focus on a specific point (like eyes).

removed account4 · Feb 2, 2019

Sorry I missread the OP and thought it said WTF not WLF .. I originally said Never, but after re-reading, I realize I always use the little magnifying glass that pops out of my TLR's hood, I never use a loupe any other time when I am taking photographs with an LF camera. BUT if I am looking at photographs in a gallery or museum or at an informal gettogether with friends, I always have a loupe and inspect their grain.

macfred · Feb 2, 2019

I use the magnifier loupe all the times - composing without it (Bronica ETRSi - Rolleiflex 3.5F).

k.hendrik · Feb 2, 2019

Well WTF pardon my French i mean WLF but I don't understand the question of OP; when i was 15 i used the loupe on my Lubitel and 52 years later still use it on the same camera. Are you worried about something Ray?

Pentode · Feb 2, 2019

I use it most of the time. If I’m stopped way down I might not bother but otherwise I don’t trust my eyesight well enough anymore.

mshchem · Feb 2, 2019

Magnifier to focus, then at waste level (hint: this may be why it's a WLF) . With the Acute-Matte screens on the Hasselblad it's a religious experience. I use the neat pm45 prisms and a grip too. On my RZ I always use the WLF with the left hand grip. I have the fancy AE prism but it weighs more than the camera and back.

Vaughn · Feb 3, 2019

I use it most of the time. Especially to determine my near and far distances so that I can use the depth-of-field gauge. (Rolleiflex/cord).

film_man · Feb 3, 2019

All the time unless I'm shooting at f/8 or narrower, in that case I use the distance scale to get me in the ballpark as DOF will cover it.

DWThomas · Feb 3, 2019

Bronica SQ-A and Yashica 124G here, I use the magnifier most of the time. I do have a focus screen in the Bronica that has a split image center circle, but more often than not still use the magnifier for the types of shooting I do. (Of course bear in mind -- my eyes are approaching 78 YO! )

JPD · Feb 3, 2019

All the time when focusing and then composing without with most of my Rolleis. The older ones have smaller magnifying glasses so I sometimes leave it up when composing.

DWThomas said:
(Of course bear in mind -- my eyes are approaching 78 YO! )

My eyes are approaching 48 and I have big trouble focusing the Rolleiflex Standard (Old) cameras even with the magnifying glass. Slow focus gears, dark groundglass and slow viewing lens. I have to turn the focusing knob back and forth and then take a chance. I don't know how I managed to focus without problems twenty years ago. Must be my eyes.

WLF - how often do you use the magnify glass/loupe?

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