Favorite 4x focusing loupe discontinued. Suggestions?

<p>For years I've used the Toyo 3.6x loupe, which I liked because of its length (good with folding focusing hoods) and because it had rubber protectors on both ends (to prevent scratching eyeglasses and ground glasses):</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61094-REG/Toyo_View_180_301_3_6x_Groundglass_Focusing_Aid.html">Toyo (discontinued)</a><br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/61094-REG/Toyo_View_180_301_3_6x_Groundglass_Focusing_Aid.html#features"> </a></p>

<p>But I can't find my Toyo anywhere so I have to buy a new one (preferably for not much more than $100 or so). Any recommendations for a substitute? Anyone use any of these <strong>as a view-camera focusing loupe?</strong></p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44934-REG/Rodenstock_260010_4x_Loupe.html">Rodenstock 4x</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/214579-REG/Schneider_08_034558_4x_Magnifier.html">Schneider 4x</a></p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html">Wista 5x</a></p>

<p>Other loupes in the 4x range that I should consider?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Horseman makes a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91755-REG/Horseman_25614_6x_Magnifying_Glass.html">6x loupe</a> that I use with my view cameras. </p>

<p>That looks good, Steve, though if there's something cheaper that works as well I'd like to know.</p>

<p>Any view-camera users tried a digital-SLR loupe like <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/hoodloupe-3.shtml">the $80 HoodLoupe 3.0</a> ?</p>

<p>Just because B&H does not have them does not mean they are no longer available. I just checked, and Midwest Photo (very nice people, too) still have them for sale:<br>

http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,4345.html</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Just because B&H does not have them does not mean they are no longer available.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Thanks, Don; I'll call Midwest and see whether they have it in stock, as that linked page says I should do before ordering. I hope they have it.</p>

<p>Fwiw, in my initial post I only <em>linked </em> to B&H's page, but I had also checked <a href="http://www.adorama.com/TYFA.html">Adorama</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Toyo-Ground-Glass-Focusing-Magnifier/dp/B000BHFLRO">Amazon</a> and both of them also said "We're out of them and don't know when or if we'll stock them again." But the loupe is still listed on the Toyo website, if that means something.</p>

<p>Ralph -<br />I use the Horseman loupe because I use a Horseman 45FA field camera. The Horseman loupe is made specifically to be used with Horseman field cameras. The ground glass is covered by a hood mechanism that, when opened to access the ground glass, makes a light shield around the ground glass that is about 4-inches high on the top (formed by a metal outer cover), and about 3-inches high on the other three sides (formed by folding bellows type material).</p>

<p>It is extremely difficult to use a standard focusing loupe as you have a hard time getting your eye onto a standard loupe because your face is kept back from the ground glass by the hood. The length of the Horseman loupe brings the top of the loupe slightly past the hood. I also like it because it is small in diameter making it easier to check the corners of the ground glass.</p>

<p>You may also want to consider this <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44934-REG/Rodenstock_260010_4x_Loupe.html">Rodenstock loupe</a>.</p>

<p>Look on Ebay or older camera stores. There are pockets of new old stock items in all those brick and mortar stores folks look at stuff; then buy it off the internet to skirt state taxes. In my own business; I have some things in inventory go back many decades; brand new in the box; slide rule indicators/glasses; parts for old cameras.<br>

When Panatomic-X and later Verichrome Pan; I bought it from Cambridge camera; while most folks here gave up after B&H ran out.</p>

<p>Ohnar Pro 4x is my favourite, but the spelling may indicate where I got mine (!). It was Made in Japan until 4 years ago when the Chinese took it over. If quality control has remained then a serious UK mag reviewed this as the best 4x loupe available - so I never got around to trying the Rodenstock. For comparison, I'm just about to sell a Horseman 8x as it just isn't in the same league (IMHO).<br>

Good luck finding a solution,<br>

MO</p>

<p>DYI option: I use old slide projector lenses as well as my Toyo. They cover a larger area than most focusing loops and give good eye relief with glasses. Another advantage is the ability to modified them to work up off the ground glass by shortening them. This allows focusing the edge of the glass when using wide angle lenses, a big plus. They are heavier and bulkier than a Toyo, but are great if these negatives aren't a problem.</p>