My Favourite Loupe

[Ari]

I've had all manner of loupes over the last few years, ranging from $10 cheap-os to used $150 Leitzes to Chinese knock-offs at $60.
I've sold them all.
The one I keep coming back to is a cheap-o as well, but it's perfect, at least for me.
A simple Peak 5x (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40687-REG/Peak_1301960_5x_Loupe.html)

They're on sale now at B&H for about $8, I got me three of 'em.

Long enough to use with a hood, not too high a magnification, bright, weighs a few grams, and is almost unbreakable in everyday usage.
Just passing it along.

[Bob Salomon]

"$150 Leitzes"

Or those one marked Wetzlar? Like the ones made by Emo.

[Gem Singer]

The Toyo 3.6X loupe has protective rubber bumpers on both ends, is long enough to use with a folding focusing hood, doesn't need to be diopter adjusted, and is reasonably priced.

For use under a dark cloth, with diopter correction, the Fujinon 4X loupe is also hard to beat,

[John Kasaian]

I've got a Silvestri 6x tilting loupe I like alot, as well as the old ubiquitous Agfa it replaced.

[Brian K]

My preferred loupe is also the Toyo. No fuss, small, but long enough to keep your nose of the GG, good optic.

[John Powers]

My preferred loupe is also the Toyo. No fuss, small, but long enough to keep your nose of the GG, good optic.

Another vote for the Toyo. My understanding is that this loupe is no longer on the market. Has that changed?

John

[Ari]

"$150 Leitzes"

Or those one marked Wetzlar? Like the ones made by Emo.

Yes, the very same; Leitz Wetzlar, made by Emo.

[John Powers]

The one I keep coming back to is a cheap-o as well, but it's perfect, at least for me.
A simple Peak 5x (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40687-REG/Peak_1301960_5x_Loupe.html)

They're on sale now at B&H for about $8, I got me three of 'em.

.

Ari,

Following your link, what is the ring object under the loupe in B&H's photo? It appears to be a metal ring with two splits.

I certainly am fond of my Peak #1 enlarging focusing tool. Are the optics as good on this loupe? Hard to imagine at that price.

John

[Ari]

Ari,

Following your link, what is the ring object under the loupe in B&H's photo? It appears to be a metal ring with two splits.

I certainly am fond of my Peak #1 enlarging focusing tool. Are the optics as good on this loupe? Hard to imagine at that price.

John

John,
The ring you see is just the "foot" of the loupe, shown to give an idea of its length.
Like I said, I've sold many loupes in favour of this one; I used to keep it as a spare, but I find the optics and magnification just perfect for GG use, so it's now the only loupe I carry.

At $8 how can you go wrong? You might also be pleasantly surprised.

[Greg Lockrey]

My Schneider 6x ASPH lupe has been a joy to use.

[Armin Seeholzer]

My best one is the long Horseman loupe its really a good one also the Silvestry tilting loupe which I like for the corners on wide lenses!

Cheers Armin

[ROL]

Though perhaps not specific to favorite loupes, there are other tangential threads on GG focusing here on LF. I have foregone my old Toyo in favor of 3.5 Diopter 99¢ eyeglasses long ago.

[LF4Fun]

I've had all manner of loupes over the last few years, ranging from $10 cheap-os to used $150 Leitzes to Chinese knock-offs at $60.
I've sold them all.
The one I keep coming back to is a cheap-o as well, but it's perfect, at least for me.
A simple Peak 5x (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40687-REG/Peak_1301960_5x_Loupe.html)

They're on sale now at B&H for about $8, I got me three of 'em.

Long enough to use with a hood, not too high a magnification, bright, weighs a few grams, and is almost unbreakable in everyday usage.
Just passing it along.

Ari,

thanks for the tip. $8 is hard to beat + free shipping too.
How tall is the loupe?
:p

[Ari]

How tall is the loupe?
:p

About 2.5 inches, or, in the parlance of our times, 66mm. ;)

[Darin Boville]

My #1 criterion for the ideal loop (which I'm not sure I've found yet) is a good neck cord. When I'm working with LF I carry the thing around my neck, all day perhaps.

I had a fancy Schneider one but the elastic lug broke. I have a cheap Hama but no strap lugs. I mainly use some sort of heavy duty unit now--metal with diopter adjustment. I think it is a Fuji--had to spay paint it since the bottom was translucent. Has metal poles which I've attached an eyeglass strap to but that may not last...

--Darin

[jeroldharter]

$8 is hard to beat, but I would want a neck cord too. Hard to argue that a neck cord is a feature worth $50 but I would buy a Wista loupe if I needed another one because it is a small loupe, currently available, good quality, and has a cord.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html

[anglophone1]

Another vote for the Toyo. My understanding is that this loupe is no longer on the market. Has that changed?

John
They seem hard to find I would like two but can't seem to source them at anything like a decent price

[Yo' Vinny]

Dumb question...does the use of a focusing loupe enable you to get focus in the field without a dark cloth? The Summers are hot and humid in the Houston,TX area and I would like to avoid the dark cloth if possible. I can handle the searching on the glass at various points to confirm focus.

- Vince

[DJG]

I don't have anything to compare it to, other than a really super cheap one, but I really like my Toyo. Perfect size, I like how it's covered in rubber on the edges, and is long enough that focusing is pretty easy (I don't have to rub my nose or forehead on the ground glass).

I still need a dark cloth on my cameras. Maybe it might work with a camera that has one of those folding out backs, especially if it's a long loupe like the Toyo. Maybe one of those binocular viewers would work if you don't want a dark cloth in a humid area, but I have never used one.

[Robert Oliver]

if you want to focus without a dark cloth...

one way is to find a Peak 10x suction cup mount. reverse the suction cup mount to use as an eye piece and wrap the clear part of the lupe with black gaffers tape. works pretty good. Would be simple to fashion a simple neck strap onto it.

This of course doesn't solve the issue of being able to see the entire image at once, but it does allow you to spot focus on specific parts of the ground glass.

[Drew Wiley]

I'm assuming you mean a GG loupe rather than something for viewing on the lightbox.
I like the Horseman 7x, though Peak is probably the actual manufacturer. It's reasonably small but still fairly tough if it gets dropped. Has quality optics, but is not
so expensive that one will freak if its dropped too far. As a backup emergency loupe
I have an absolutely tiny little Emo 10X. This came with an adapter so you can switch
around the optics and use it as a miniature telescope too.

[LF4Fun]

$8 is hard to beat, but I would want a neck cord too. Hard to argue that a neck cord is a feature worth $50 but I would buy a Wista loupe if I needed another one because it is a small loupe, currently available, good quality, and has a cord.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html

I'll sell you a lanyard & some rubber bands for $20, and btw, free shipping. :D

[jeroldharter]

I'll sell you a lanyard & some rubber bands for $20, and btw, free shipping. :D

Good point.

Better make it $30 and through in one of those $5 loupes and a lottery ticket.

[Tony Karnezis]

The Toyo came with my first view camera, but I quickly sold it.

Then I bought a Mamiya 5x, a beautifully made loupe. All metal, silky smooth diopter adjustment, but I feel it's better suited for table top use as I was always afraid the metal would crack the gg on a cold day. (I'm going to post it for sale.)

I now use a Calumet 4x aspheric loupe for everything. It's light and has a plastic barrel and rubber eye cup.

Ever since I switched to 8x10, I seldom use a loupe for 3D objects, only planar subjects.

[jdimichele]

I'm quite fond of my Silvestri 4x loupe for both my Cambo 4x5 and 8x10. I've tried other loupes over the years, and while there are many good ones, for some reason I keep coming back to the Silvestri. I was actually thinking about trying a more powerful loupe and seeing if that works for me.

Cheers,
Jay

[Ben Calwell]

My favorite loupe is the one that came with my Calumet 4x5 kit in 1982. I still use it and still have the handsome leather case it came in.

[WmRenick]

Just recieved two of the 5x loupes from B&H. Black taped one for GG. The other will be for viewing negatives. Thanks for the tip.

[Ari]

Just recieved two of the 5x loupes from B&H. Black taped one for GG. The other will be for viewing negatives. Thanks for the tip.

Enjoy them!

[John Rodriguez]

When using my Wista under the hood, I have to hold the loupe a centimeter or so away from the GG to achieve focus. No amount of adjustment will get the focus to the point where I can hold the loupe against the GG, is this normal?

[Ari]

When using my Wista under the hood, I have to hold the loupe a centimeter or so away from the GG to achieve focus. No amount of adjustment will get the focus to the point where I can hold the loupe against the GG, is this normal?

I don't think that's normal.
What kind of loupe is it?

[John Rodriguez]

I don't think that's normal.
What kind of loupe is it?

Wista 5x loupe - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html

It works - my shots come out in focus, but it would be alot easier if I could just rest it on the glass. Right now I need to move my head back and forth slightly to get the GG in focus, then focus the lens. PITA

[Steve M Hostetter]

I have a Schneider 4x and a nikon 8x ,,, I'll use the nikon on location and the other in the studio.

[Tony Evans]

Same question as John. Do you rest this loupe on the GG to get focus or hold it off a bit? (My current situation, makes focusing a pain). What LF loupes sit on the GG to give focus?

[Ari]

Wista 5x loupe - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html

It works - my shots come out in focus, but it would be alot easier if I could just rest it on the glass. Right now I need to move my head back and forth slightly to get the GG in focus, then focus the lens. PITA

I had a Wista 5x loupe; if I recall, it required the use of a skirt, attached to the business end of the loupe. Make sure you have that in place.
It also has quite a bit of variation in diopter, so make sure you've extended/compressed it to its limits.
If it still doesn't work, well, now you know where to get a good loupe for $8 :)

[Steve M Hostetter]

Same question as John. Do you rest this loupe on the GG to get focus or hold it off a bit? (My current situation, makes focusing a pain). What LF loupes sit on the GG to give focus?

I slide my loupe all over the GG with it touching the GG and I have never noticed any scratches.

[chassis]

I'm new to LF and use a very cheap Samigon 8x plastic loupe. I feel like I could use more magnification if it was available. I have had this loupe for 15 years or so and got it for viewing negatives and work prints. It is plastic so doesn't scratch the GG. I fall into GAS every now and then, but can't bring myself to get a new loupe, because this one works fine for me.

[Lenny Eiger]

It's very expensive, but I had a very good month a couple of months ago and bought myself a Rodenstock 6x. Jim Andracki at Mpex gave me a very good deal, as always. Bob Solomon told me this was the one to get...

All I can say is WOW. What an amazing loupe. Holidays are coming up......

[Richard Rau]

I second the Rodenstock 6X. I've used one for about 12+ years, but they have become pricey.

[chassis]

Just received a Peak 7x scale loupe, and it is an upgrade from the plastic 8x Samigon. The Peak is a much better optic, and has a smaller diameter, which means I can get it further in to the corner of the ground glass. I checked focus with both loupes and had more confidence I was on focus with the Peak. I will continue to use the cheapo Samigon for looking at prints and negatives, but have switched to the Peak for ground glass focusing.

[Ari]

Last time I looked, the Peak 5x was still on sale at B&H for about $8.

[Noah A]

I like the peak 8x loupe. I had mine from my 35mm film days. It works well and has attachments for a cord. It's rectangular, so I guess it can get into the corners, but that's not something I find myself doing too often.

I know some say 8x is too much, but it works for me. I don't use a fresnel and the newer Linhof groundglasses seem to have a fairly fine grain. I've been thinking of trying a 10x.

I do have a nice Rodenstock 4x, but that stays safely at home for looking at negs. If I thought it would help my focusing I'd most definitely use it for shooting. But, while it appears slightly sharper, it doesn't make focusing any easier in my experience.

Not too long ago I got up at 4am to drive an hour or so to a shooting location only to find out that I had forgotten my loupe. I actually made some photos anyway and they were sharp. But now I keep an extra loupe and an extra cable release in the glove compartment of my car, just in case...

[E. von Hoegh]

Peak 10x. It has a transparent extension (that holds a measuring reticle) that unscrews so I can tilt the loupe to look at the corners. The measuring reticle is very useful for other purposes. Paid around $40 for it in the late 1980s

[Brian Ellis]

It's round, which means I'm not interested. The only loupes I buy are the ones with a square base made by Peak and maybe others but mine are all Peaks. Because they're square they work better along the edges of the ground glass and also in the corners of the ground glass if the corners aren't cut.

[Frank Petronio]

It really depends on the texture of your ground glass and fresnel (if used). With nearsightedness I am finding a more powerful 7x loupe slower but better than the 4x versions I was using.

As for tilting, round, square... much too fine for me, if I need to see that last 1/4" in the corner then I am framing too tight.

[Brian Ellis]

It really depends on the texture of your ground glass and fresnel (if used). With nearsightedness I am finding a more powerful 7x loupe slower but better than the 4x versions I was using.

As for tilting, round, square... much too fine for me, if I need to see that last 1/4" in the corner then I am framing too tight.

Composition is part of it, I do like to see exactly what I have on the ground glass and will have on the film. But focus is also important. If I want everything in focus I want everything, not everything except the edges and corners of the image.

[Uri A]

Hey Ari,

Which format are we talking here?

[Ari]

Hey Ari,

Which format are we talking here?

Uri,
I'm talking 4x5, but the same Peak loupe was used very satisfactorily with my 8x10.
For 4x5, though, I find it to be just perfect.

[Filmnut]

My fave has been a 8X Nikon loupe, that is adjustable for my eyes. I also have an old Agfa loupe.
Keith

[lummer]

i love my zeiss one

[Michael Kadillak]

I ditched my loupes years ago and went to an Opti Visor. It adjust to fit over your head and it has a flip down viewed for both eyes. You can put in any magnification you want and keep your hands free. The best part is that you can watch the entire ground glass from a reasonable distance and this works particularly well with 8x10 and larger.

[Panoman617]

I've got a 4X that I got from Fujifilm a long time ago. Had to send in a bunch of UPC codes off the box of film. Any off you use them??

[Ari]

I ditched my loupes years ago and went to an Opti Visor. It adjust to fit over your head and it has a flip down viewed for both eyes. You can put in any magnification you want and keep your hands free. The best part is that you can watch the entire ground glass from a reasonable distance and this works particularly well with 8x10 and larger.

Michael, you're a braver man than I; that's almost up there with using a snorkel to avoid fog on the GG on cold days, or using a baby stroller for your gear.
Kudos! :)

[VanDyke]

Leitz wetzlar EMO- love it!

[Frank Petronio]

I'm sure Michael looks very chick wearing those. And he gets things focused quicker and surer.

For the most part -- I'm just assuming and making a gross generalization here -- but don't most of us simply not give a flying xxxx what we look like or doing whatever it takes to (safely) make the best shot possible?

I know I look a sight, bent over, butt sticking out of the darkcloth. Does it get any dorkier than that?

[ljsegil]

yeah, seeing that picture inverted and reversed, trying to figure out how you get the darkcloth to rise when it's on backwards and wondering what kind of animal stands on the ceiling with an upside down camera but no battery, all while balancing a tripod on the pointy end.
LJ

[Michael Kadillak]

I'm sure Michael looks very chick wearing those. And he gets things focused quicker and surer.

For the most part -- I'm just assuming and making a gross generalization here -- but don't most of us simply not give a flying xxxx what we look like or doing whatever it takes to (safely) make the best shot possible?

I know I look a sight, bent over, butt sticking out of the darkcloth. Does it get any dorkier than that?

Actually, I saw an image of John Wemberly making a photograph wearing the Opti Visors and a week later I was at the dermatologist at my checkup and he was wearing a pair so I asked him to let me check them out. Shortly thereafter, I found them at a local store and they have been a regular part of my photography routine since. If I was shooting 4x5 I would likely be using a standard loup. But 5x7 and larger they are the boss. I could not shoot ULF without them simply because of the expanse of ground glass that you have to take responsibility for. Covering 240 square inches of ground glass (12x20) +/- a square inch at a time is problematic for me. But when you can backup and look at it all at the same time it is much easier to compose at the same time you are optimizing the focus.

[Frank Petronio]

Yeah I think they're a good idea. Why wouldn't you want to use them with a smaller 4x5?

[Ed Kelsey]

Toyo 3.6x

[Michael Kadillak]

You surely could use them with 4x5, but the ground glass is so much smaller that I find it a bit more difficult to see the subtle changes in focus that are so visually obvious with larger formats and larger ground glass. In this instance a 4 or 6x loup to me anyway, is more effective.

[Peter Spangenberg]

Hi Michael-
What magnification do you use for the 8x10 in the OptiVisor?
Thanks-Peter

[Michael Kadillak]

I had to go take a look. I use the #5 which is a 2.5X magnification.

Opti Visors are +/- $30 online and accommodate a wide range of magnification that can be easily be changed out with attachment screws on the side of the front panels. I really like the ability to step back from the ground glass and use the rear focus to dial it in while watching the entire scene I want to photograph.

[r.e.]

Customer reviews of OptiVisor on Amazon, plus a good table showing the various magnifications models: http://www.amazon.com/Donegan-OptiVisor-Headband-Magnifier-Magnification/dp/B0015IQC0S

Despite the many positve reviews on Amazon, and Michael's endorsement, I'm not sure that these are for everyone. As a result of positive comments on this thread about using uncorrected, magnifying reading glasses (essentially the same thing, if I understand correctly, as OptiVisors), I went to the local drustore and tried a few pair. I'm used to wearing glasses (I'm short-sighted, meaning that I need glasses to see distant objects), but I really didn't like them. I decided very quickly that, for me at least, I'd rather use my eyes and, to fine-tune focus, a loupe.

I've used a Toyo loupe for years, but I forgot to bring it to New York this trip and purchased a Rodenstock a few weeks ago from a forum participant. Both work well.

[neil poulsen]

One problem with generic glasses purchased at the drug store, there's no way to adjust each lens to each eye. Correction is always the same in both lenses.

[Michael Kadillak]

These are clearly very personal issues that we each need to find what works for each of us. All I wanted to point out is a relatively inexpensive option in the Opti Visor. I have found that since composition is done by viewing the ground glass from a distance I could just as easily get my focus done nearly simultaneously by dropping the magnifying lenses down into view.

At the end of the day it is about making the best prints possible from the best negatives and in this regard there is no right or wrong. That is what makes the process so personal and "interesting".

[Frank Petronio]

I just got a "Hening 6x Focusing Loupe Type II MC Large Format Camera" from eBay like this auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hening-6x-Focusing-Loupe-Type-II-MC-Large-Format-Camera-/270766222113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0aecab21#ht_4880wt_902

And it is pretty darn nice, all rubber coated, long enough for a focusing hood, lots of diopter adjustment, well made, and squared edges so you can get into the corners.

[Ari]

I just got a "Hening 6x Focusing Loupe Type II MC Large Format Camera" from eBay like this auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hening-6x-Focusing-Loupe-Type-II-MC-Large-Format-Camera-/270766222113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0aecab21#ht_4880wt_902

And it is pretty darn nice, all rubber coated, long enough for a focusing hood, lots of diopter adjustment, well made, and squared edges so you can get into the corners.

Funny, I bought that same loupe a few months ago and returned it the next day after receiving it.
I bought a lot from that particular seller, and I like his stuff, but this loupe had too small a viewfinder and felt too cheap in its use.
Maybe they've improved?

[Lightbender]

Hey, does anyone know where to get a Horizon 4x Loupe?
They are russian made, but years ago I compared them to mamiya and rodenstock and liked the Horizon (and its price) beter.

[Frank Petronio]

Funny, I bought that same loupe a few months ago and returned it the next day after receiving it.
I bought a lot from that particular seller, and I like his stuff, but this loupe had too small a viewfinder and felt too cheap in its use.
Maybe they've improved?

Probably not, I just have low standards!

[Noah A]

I picked up a Peak 10x from B&H. I had to rig it to attach a cord and tape over the clear base, but the loupe itself is great. I love the high magnification and I find it easier to see the correct focus than with weaker loupes.

It´s tiny as well, which is good if you travel but bad if you like focusing with a hood, which I don´t.

[Ari]

Probably not, I just have low standards!

Aha! Mystery solved!

[Tony Evans]

I just got a "Hening 6x Focusing Loupe Type II MC Large Format Camera" from eBay like this auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hening-6x-Focusing-Loupe-Type-II-MC-Large-Format-Camera-/270766222113?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0aecab21#ht_4880wt_902

And it is pretty darn nice, all rubber coated, long enough for a focusing hood, lots of diopter adjustment, well made, and squared edges so you can get into the corners.

Moi aussi. Agree with Frank.

[mamanton]

I've got Wista 5x.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63453-REG/Wista_211046_5x_Standard_Focusing_Loupe.html
Very nice, and very good price. Sharp and bright enough across the field.
Plus strap is very comfortable.

[Matus Kalisky]

I use the 4x Horizon. The optical quality is very good. The base is square (50x50 mm). Very nice for light table usage. For focusing it is fine, but a bit bulky (wide) and actually the corners are not so great. I may give the "Henning 6x" a try as it looks interesting and better suited for focusing.