Spectacles - the things I wear on my nose

[john_alexander_dow]

Being basically 54 I have to wear spectacles for things like reading

and using VDU. However viewing a ground glass screen is a whole new

problem area. My strongest specs get me only to within 12 ins and

then the focussing hood slips down.

 

I do have a loop but cannot find where to start using it and anyway I

don't have three hands.

 

Must be other people with this problem - Special Specs the answer?

Anything better (and cheaper)

 

I am new to large format. Movements and neg size just solve so many

problems

 

John Dow

[tony_galt]

Go to a drugstore and buy the strongest reading glasses you can find (usually 3.25 diopter). They come in a variety of forms--I find the half frame type most useful because I can use the loupe over the top of the frame. These will get you (depending on your eyesight) close enough to see the entire frame and to roughly focus the image (which is extremely useful when you are learning about movements). A pair will set you back between $10 and $15. Of course, you'll have to fine tune focus with your loupe.

[art_haykin]

For years, I wore a jeweler's loupe that installed on the temple of my glasses. It had 2 swing down lenses of different powers, and could be used singly, or together. Worked great for me.

[bob_moulton6]

Two options will work in addition to the fine ones mentioned by others: Edmund Scientific sells a variety of loupe/magnifiers that will clip onto your existing spectacles. Depending upon your needs they can pop on/off, swing up out of the way, etc.

Secondly, you can get a pair of prescription close-up glasses made. While more costly, you have the added advantage of lenses ground for your eyes only. After trying the reading glasses, pop up loupes, etc. I chose that alternative. Put a string on them and you can easily wear them. Also, should you have any special eye needs beyond 50 year old + eyes, like astigmatism for example, the prescription lenses accomodate that.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[upscan]

If your eyes are not be identical you will not get best results with drugstore stuff. Prescription glasses are by far your best alternative as they can be corrected for eye aberrations. Additionally, for any given format size there will be a distance at which you can view the whole screen comfortably and your glasses can be formulated for that distance or if you prefer, for a closer distance. Mine are formulated to view a 4X5 screen whole, I think at about 5-6". These glasses are no substitute for groundglass loupes. I use the glasses first for composition and a 10X loupe for critical focusing. For some reason, many people seem to think of the optometrist only when they need reading or distance eye glasses. Not so.

See you!

[keith_pitman]

I am near-sighted, but have worn bi-focals for the last several years for my near vision detioriation. The bi-focals are in the wrong place, however, for composing on a view camera screen. For composing, I remove my glasses (a cord around my neck keeps them handy), then I have to put them back on to use the loupe.

 

A while back a physician entered a post about getting around this situation with glasses made in a different way -- I think with the bifocals at the top. If anyone can point me to it, I'd like to find it.

 

Anyway, the first paragraph as well as the original post should give the younger guys (& girls) something to look forward to!

[c._w._dean]

The spectacles with the bifocals on top (as well as on the bottom) are popular with tradesmen like plumbers and electricians who must look up in tight places using the close focusing lenses. My optician calls them occupational lenses. Ask your optician about them and if they haven't done them before, find another optician who has. I have used them for many years and have even had the prescribing doctor to fine tune the top lenses for view camera convenience....still use the loupe as others have mentioned for critical focusing.

[john_alexander_dow]

Thanks, guys

 

Sounds like prescription lenses for me - not really expensive compared to a new lens and a bit more useful at the moment

 

JD

[s.k. grimes inc]

So as to avoid confusing your eye care specialist keep in mind that viewing the image on the ground glass is the same as viewing any other object (such as a postage stamp or coin in a collection)

<p>

The distances of the picture taking lens to the subject do not factor into this, only the distance of your eye from the object viewed (in this case the ground glass).

<p>

Think of reading spectacles, magnifiers, loupes, etc (and they may be used in combination, that is, added together) as devices which correct your eyeball focus at a distance from the object viewed which you select.

[leland_smith]

About three years ago I purchased a magnifing hood at a hobby shop for $ 26.00. I can wear my regular glasses and the hood at the same time. This enables me to see with astigmatism correction. Also the hood has a loupe on the side that can be pivoted in front of the right lens that you can use for critical focusing. The loupe is of very poor quality, but the very center of the loupe lens is usable.

 

Leland Smith

[ed_balko3]

The last time that I was having an eye exam, I asked the optician for a second prescription, one that would give me perfect focus four inches in front of my eyes.

 

I had the lenses fitted into an old set of frames for about $35. These really work like a charm. I keep them around my neck on a cord (like my grade school teachers did) and I know where to find them.

[paul_coppin]

The archive reference you're looking for is: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003F1t - several good suggestions came out of that thread.

[e_m1]

B&H Photo sells a loupe (I believe it is made by Peak) that has a suction cup on it so both your hands are free to make adjustments. It costs about $35.00.