Need loupe for 4x5 with diopter adjustment, Got Suggestions? $100 max

[j.lewis.photo]

I need to get a loop for focusing on the ground glass of a 4x5 view

camera. I'm new to large format, so I'm not sure how much

magnification I should get. The loaner i've been using is a 4x

loop, but if I plan on enlarging the negative beyone 4x, shouldn't I

get more magnification than that? I know depth-of-field will allow

some forgiveness, but it seems lazy to rely on that and sometimes

selective focus needs to be critical. Would I be disadvantaging

myself somehow if I got an 8x loop? Also I need something with an

adjustable diopter, with cameras I always set the diopter at -2.

I've been looking at the Rodenstock 4x loupe on B&H for $100 bucks,

but would love to find something cheaper if I can find one with an

adjustable diopter.

 

I'll likely be buying a 4x5 field camera, hopefully with a foldable

focusing hood eventually, so do I need a long loop capable of

reaching the ground glass through a hood?

 

I'm, having trouble finding out if the following loupes have

adjustible diopters:

 

Horseman:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=91755&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

Wista - Only 55 bucks!:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=63453&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

Wista - 7x:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=63454&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[pvp]

I use a 4X loupe for my 4x5 regardless of how far I'm planning to enlarge. The problem with using high-powered loupes, is that you can reach a point where you're seeing the grain in the groundglass, and that makes it harder to focus. Most folks seem to favor something in the 4X to 6X range. More than that might offer diminishing returns.

[marionovak]

I'm using Schneider Loupes, about $80, you can adjust their loupes to your preference of diopter. They are the best, in my opinion

[michael_briggs2]

<p>I second the recommendation for 4x to 6x. My experience is that with higher power loupes you can't see more -- the image is dimmer and the grain of the ground glass obscures detail.</p>

 

<p>If you are making large enlargements that you expect to stand up to close examination, you will need to make some allowance. I tend to stop down one additional stop past what seems necessary from examining the ground glass with 5x magnification, but two might be necessary if larger prints are the goal. Another technique is to measure in image space the distance in mm between the closest and farther object that you want in focus. Then focus halfway in between and use a table to determine the necessary f-stop to have both objects in focus. If experience with your large prints shows that the table isn't correct, then adjust the table.</p>

 

<p>Edmund Optics makes an excellent loupe at a good price. Their name for it is <a href="http://www.edmundoptics.com/onlinecatalog/displayproduct.cfm?productID=1718&search=1">Opaque Base Magnifier</a>, but it's a loupe with adjustable focus. I suggest the 6x model.</p>

 

<p>Two previous discussions: <i>Loupes for ground glass focusing</i> at <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008dd2">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008dd2</a> and <i>What loupe to use for lf?</i> at <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CFbO">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CFbO</a>.</p>

[michael_briggs2]

Looking at the photos of the loupes that you are considering at B&H, probably they all focus. The first is described as focusing. Loupes are typically not described in diopter adjustments, instead they are provided with a very board focusing capability. My techique is to point the camera, without lens or lensboard, at a bright light and adjust the loupe to focus on the grain of the ground glass with a relaxed eye.

 

Looking at the photos also reminded me that the Edmund loupe lacks a string to hang it around your neck. Probably most photographers like this, but I find this the string gets tangled.

[jim_rhoades]

Don't be afraid to try a cheap plastic one. Here's why. While I need a -3 diopter to focus my rangefinder camera without glasses I find anything seems to work for a loupe. I have a Leica that never leaves the light table. Price obscene. A long body Toyo 3.6X that's super for use with a folding hood about $50. And a cheap plastic $5. Agfa 8X. For focussing on a groundglass the el-cheapo will give as sharp a view as the Leica. None of the above applies to negatives or slides on a light table. -2 reading glasses from the drugstore will work too but it's a shock when you come out from under the darkcloth.

[noah]

I agree, most loupes have some sort of focus or diopter adjustment. I've used an

expensive rodenstock loupe (that normally lives on my light table), a cheap peak 8x and a

metal fuji 4x that I got free for buying lots of film ten years ago, and they all produce

equal results.

 

Focusing certainly is critical with LF, but even moderate quality loupes seem to work fine. I

find the string to be very important, to keep the think around my neck so it's there when I

need it. And, contrary to the advice often given on here, I do like using an 8x loupe. I

assume this depends on your preferences as well as the coarseness of your gg/fresnel.

The 8x does make the grain on the groundglass more noticeable, but I don't find that

obscures the image and I find it easier to find the right focus. But, a lot of people on here

who have more LF experience than I do say 4-6x is better, so they very well might be

right. But you're probably better off buying an inexpensive loupe than a $100 one.

[van_camper]

I have a Horseman 7x loupe. I like something that will magnify the image to the final size I would be printing most often. So using 4x5, the 7x loupe is allowing me to see the level of sharpness I will get for a 28x35 inch print. Sure you can see more grain from the groundglass, but I can better see what is sharp or not. I feel more comfortable with it, although the type of groundglass you have likely plays a big affect. Using a Horseman 45FA with std groundglass I am satisfied.

[scott_walton2]

I bought one made by Hoya, a 4X and overall it has the best edge to edge sharpness! Even the optics people at work agree. As I recall it was $65. 4X is really all you need and any higher your looking at the rin gs or grain in your ground glass. I bought it at WB Hunt's about 10 years ago so I don't know if they are available anymore but if you find one... they're great!

[dario_z]

Silvestri 6x tilting loupe. The only loupe I know that allows you to get to the corners of the gg. 80 bucks at B&H, worth every penny.

[Ed_Ingold]

A 4x loupe is sufficient for focusing. The technique is to turn the focus just past the sharpest point, then back. Basically, you split the difference between two points of equal "out-of-focus". I use a Mamiya loupe designed for 35mm film. All but the cheapest loupes have adjustable focus - dioptre in the sense of your question.

[profhlynnjones]

Don't exceed 10X or all you'll see is the ground glass.

any where from 6x to 10x.

 

Lynn