Film explorer
Member
Hi,
First, I would like to introduce myself. I'm in my second year of university and recently decided to make a transition from digital to film. I was attracted to the mystique of film and film cameras and sold my Panasonic point and shoot and Canon to purchase a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s along with some darkroom supplies. I am really stoked with the camera as it is so solid. It will be my pride and joy until I can save for a M6 - my dream camera.
I am thinking of purchasing a Pentax 5.5X Super Multi-coated Magnifier loupe to analyse my negatives (I plan to just shoot 35mm for the time being to increase my confidence). I notice on the Adorama website under the product description, it says it includes: Transparency stand.
Is that the same as opaque hood/skirt?
I plan to view negatives on a lightbox and I thought I should do that with a black hood/skirt, not an opaque one.
So, does anyone know if the black skirt comes with it? I realise that this is a stupid question, but I really don't know who else to turn to.
Also, if I use a loupe, is it okay to directly touch the negatives, or should they be inserted in printfile like sleeves to prevent scratches? Is the bottom smooth??
To purchase this loupe is a considerable outlay for me as I'm a student, so I just wanted to avoid buyers regrets as I'm shipping to Australia and refund would be potentially difficult.
I would love to hear from some members with some advice on this. It would be much appreciated
First, I would like to introduce myself. I'm in my second year of university and recently decided to make a transition from digital to film. I was attracted to the mystique of film and film cameras and sold my Panasonic point and shoot and Canon to purchase a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s along with some darkroom supplies. I am really stoked with the camera as it is so solid. It will be my pride and joy until I can save for a M6 - my dream camera.
I am thinking of purchasing a Pentax 5.5X Super Multi-coated Magnifier loupe to analyse my negatives (I plan to just shoot 35mm for the time being to increase my confidence). I notice on the Adorama website under the product description, it says it includes: Transparency stand.
Is that the same as opaque hood/skirt?
I plan to view negatives on a lightbox and I thought I should do that with a black hood/skirt, not an opaque one.
So, does anyone know if the black skirt comes with it? I realise that this is a stupid question, but I really don't know who else to turn to.
Also, if I use a loupe, is it okay to directly touch the negatives, or should they be inserted in printfile like sleeves to prevent scratches? Is the bottom smooth??
To purchase this loupe is a considerable outlay for me as I'm a student, so I just wanted to avoid buyers regrets as I'm shipping to Australia and refund would be potentially difficult.
I would love to hear from some members with some advice on this. It would be much appreciated
Bob Michaels
nobody special
I view negs on a lightbox with a loupe that has a clear skirt and it works fine.
I always view negs loaded into a PrintFile negative storage sheet. It is just easier to mark them that way.
I always view negs loaded into a PrintFile negative storage sheet. It is just easier to mark them that way.
brainwood
Registered Film User
Hi Film Explorer and welcome to RFF. You've found a good place to begin your exploration we're a friendly bunch ;-)
If money is tight and you're just starting out have you thought of buying a cheap loupe ? They may not be quite as good as the pentax but adequate for your purpose.
Hama do a very resonable one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Standing-Magnifier-8-times-24mm/dp/B00006JE19/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1341145608&sr=8-19
Do you intend to print your negs using a wet darkroom or scan them. If you're scanning like me then a loupe is not really necessary as I use the initial pre scan for the same purpose.
cheers
Chris
If money is tight and you're just starting out have you thought of buying a cheap loupe ? They may not be quite as good as the pentax but adequate for your purpose.
Hama do a very resonable one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Standing-Magnifier-8-times-24mm/dp/B00006JE19/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1341145608&sr=8-19
Do you intend to print your negs using a wet darkroom or scan them. If you're scanning like me then a loupe is not really necessary as I use the initial pre scan for the same purpose.
cheers
Chris
Film explorer
Member
Bob: thanks for your feedback. I am going to purchase a packet of 100 35mm Print file negs from adorama. I will remember to keep them in the file.
Brainwood: thanks also for your information, I appreciate your time. I was directed to the Pentax after doing a search here. I saved a little extra money and was hoping to get a good one. I will be using the darkroom as well as scanning some months later after I get a basic understanding of the darkroom.
Also, if there is anyone else with direct information about the Pentax loupe feel free to reply^^
Thanyou again>
Brainwood: thanks also for your information, I appreciate your time. I was directed to the Pentax after doing a search here. I saved a little extra money and was hoping to get a good one. I will be using the darkroom as well as scanning some months later after I get a basic understanding of the darkroom.
Also, if there is anyone else with direct information about the Pentax loupe feel free to reply^^
Thanyou again>
Bob Michaels
nobody special
My approach which I have used for 10+ years differs from Chris'. I use the loupe to determine which negs to scan so I eliminate any scanning for the vast majority of negs. Scanning only 2-3% of what I shoot gives me the flexibility to devote as much time as needed to those selected ones. This is simply a carryover from my old wet darkroom workflow except I evaluate negs directly on a lightbox rather than evaluating a contact sheet.
Film explorer
Member
Bob: I'm curious - what percentage do you think of former photo-journalists evaluate their negs on a lightbox compared to making contact sheets?
Which was the more popular/efficient way to analyse/evaluate your work, in the old days of newspaper/magazine photographers.
Also, does anyone else have information on the Pentax loupe^?^
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Unquestionably, everyone evaluated from contact sheets. I did too back then.
I do feel I can learn as much or probably more now from evaluating the raw negs. One is looking at a first generation rather than a second one. I found that I very quickly acclimated to looking at a negative image and evaluating it as a positive.
I tried making a digital contact sheet with a flat bed scanner. The resolution made it much less effective than the original sheet of negs.
I chose my loupe by going to a real pro photo store and trying out the 7 or 8 they had in stock on their lightbox. I did not chose the very best or the cheapest. Mine (a jobo) seemed to be 99% as good as the best but only 60% of the price.
I do feel I can learn as much or probably more now from evaluating the raw negs. One is looking at a first generation rather than a second one. I found that I very quickly acclimated to looking at a negative image and evaluating it as a positive.
I tried making a digital contact sheet with a flat bed scanner. The resolution made it much less effective than the original sheet of negs.
I chose my loupe by going to a real pro photo store and trying out the 7 or 8 they had in stock on their lightbox. I did not chose the very best or the cheapest. Mine (a jobo) seemed to be 99% as good as the best but only 60% of the price.
Film explorer
Member
If any member out there has direct experience with buying and using a loupe, then I would love to hear from you. I am desperate to know whether the Pentax 5.5x loupe comes with a black skirt/hood for viewing negs on the lightbox. In the product description it only mentions the transparent hood.
Bob, also thanks for that fascinating insight into the world of film. I really hope to learn to be able to do both - evaluate negatives from a light box as well as make contact prints. It feels refreshing to leave behind digital for the next year!
Bob, also thanks for that fascinating insight into the world of film. I really hope to learn to be able to do both - evaluate negatives from a light box as well as make contact prints. It feels refreshing to leave behind digital for the next year!