Ida (likeanew) Lupino

[john_kasaian2]

Hello! Perhaps one of you esteemed experts can shed some light on the subject of loupes. I have been using a ubiquitous Agfa 8X loupe for focusing my 8x10. It works, but I'd like to get something easier to use that won't break the bank. I read that Ron Wisner uses a folding linen tester for focusing. It can get into the corners and folds away neatly---sounds like a winner. Toyo also has a ground glass magnifier that would fit into my budget(under $50) Has anyone had real world experience with either of these loupe? Can you recommend anything else in my price range? I wear bi-focals. Thank you!

[f._william_baker]

I have been using the Toyo for several years with good success. It's

enough magnification for almost any instance. Rubber coated on the

end that you place on the ground glass. I just scoot it around for

edge to edge or where ever I want to focus or de-focus. Great

investment at $40 US.......Good Luck

[tony_galt]

I like my tilting Silvestri--about $75.00 from the likes of B&H.

 

<p>

 

Tony Galt

[dave_karp]

John,

 

<p>

 

I have a Toyo 3.6X loupe. I like it. I don't think you can go wrong.

I picked mine up used, an even better deal. Keep your eyes open for a

used one.

[dave_karp]

John,

 

<p>

 

I forgot to mention. I have graduated lenses, essentially the same as

your bifocals. The Toyo loupe can be adjusted so you can use it with

your glasses on.

[matthew_runde]

I visited the <a href="http://www.bhphoto.com">B+H</a> site, and was

surprised to find some very inexpensive linen testers. I'm thinking

of buying one or more of them, because I don't need color-corrected,

APO-gizmonic, AF-S ED IF VR glass for focusing. Also, if I buy and

carry several I don't need to worry about losing one.

[steve_clark1]

A recent trip to my optometrist turned up a small folding magnifier

that clips on to one side of my glasses. I used it last week for the

first time with the camera, worked very well. The working distance is

a little close for my taste, but with an ancient Deardorf, having

both hands free is great. Steve

[brian_ellis3]

I have the Toyo and a Peak 4X. The Toyo works fine but it's round,

whereas the Peak is square. I like square much better since it is

easier to use along the edges of the ground glass.

[neil_poulsen1]

I had something makeshift until I purchased an ashperic Calumet

(Rodenstock?) 4x. What a difference, it's fantastic. The image just

springs into focus using this device.

 

<p>

 

One thing though, it are round, it are not square.

[chris_jordan3]

I have a folding 7x loupe that's awesome-- nice and small, great

quality glass, and folds into a metal case that's bombproof.

Available for about forty bucks from Edmund Scientific:

 

<p>

 

http://www.ScientificsOnline.com/Products/ListProducts.cfm?catid=151

 

<p>

 

~cj

[john_kasaian2]

Thank you all for the great advice! The folding magnifier that clips

on to eyeglasses sound pretty slick. The Toyo sounds like a real

deal for the price and the linen tester might be worth having in my

war-bag as a back up(along with the spare cable release etc...) I'll

have to check with my eye doctor to see how much those clip ons run.

Your right, with a 'dorff it helps having both hands free. Thanks

again.