Kenj8246
Well-known
Been thinking about getting a loupe for the GG, as my eyes are, for sure, not getting any younger. What I'm doing now is using a pair of 4x reading glasses and it's working fairly well for the images I'm making. My reading and research shows folks' opinions and recommendations about loupes are all over the board.
One thing I've seen more than a few times, though, is that the 'proper' way to employ one that is adjustable is to remove the camera lens, use the loupe to look thru the GG at a light source and, when one can see the 'grains' of the GG, to lock the loupe at that point. My question is this: is there an empirical/visible difference between an image made this way and one made by not doing it this way? Isn't it kinda splitting hairs? Just asking questions here.
Kenny
ps I've also posted this question on www.largeformatphotography.info.
One thing I've seen more than a few times, though, is that the 'proper' way to employ one that is adjustable is to remove the camera lens, use the loupe to look thru the GG at a light source and, when one can see the 'grains' of the GG, to lock the loupe at that point. My question is this: is there an empirical/visible difference between an image made this way and one made by not doing it this way? Isn't it kinda splitting hairs? Just asking questions here.
Kenny
ps I've also posted this question on www.largeformatphotography.info.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Kenny,
(1) No
(2) Yes
LF sometimes attracts loony obsessives, who reckon that if it's more difficult, it has be be better.
WRONG!
Cheers,
R.
Kenj8246
Well-known
Obsessive loonies?! Say it isn't so!
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
It is not entirely idiotic, similar techniques are common in macro- and microphotography, where the very narrow DOF and similar texture of blank paper and the ground glass at near 1:1 magnifications makes it easy to mistake textures in the aerial image for the ground glass grain. Given macro magnification ratios for much of the commercial studio LF work done in the past, it might actually have been a useful recommendation for cases where someone had to adjust a loupe on a already set up tabletop product shot without altering the camera settings. Back when LF was used for that type of commercial work, that is. Nowadays, with LF mostly a amateur/artist outdoor thing, it is rather pointless - there are no more common situations where you could run into DOF so narrow that you could mistake a aerial image for the generally very obvious grain of the GG while using a loupe, nor situations where you'd have to set up gear during a shot (as common when working in studios with several staff photographers/assistants).
oftheherd
Veteran
Just noticed this thread. I found a magnifying set of 'glasses' at Harbour Freight. It fits on one's head like a hat, and has a drop down front with magnification, and inside another drop down magnifier. There is also a 'loupe' for even closer viewing. I find it easier to use than a loupe, since I can quickly move my eyes to other parts of the scene. I think it might have cost as much as ten or so dollars.
I am still looking for the version that flips the view vertically and horizontally; getting tired of standing on my head.
I am still looking for the version that flips the view vertically and horizontally; getting tired of standing on my head.
Kenj8246
Well-known
Just noticed this thread. I found a magnifying set of 'glasses' at Harbour Freight. It fits on one's head like a hat, and has a drop down front with magnification, and inside another drop down magnifier. There is also a 'loupe' for even closer viewing. I find it easier to use than a loupe, since I can quickly move my eyes to other parts of the scene. I think it might have cost as much as ten or so dollars.
I am still looking for the version that flips the view vertically and horizontally; getting tired of standing on my head.
You wouldn't be willing to share a pic of your Harbor Freight find, would you? I would prefer something that's wearable but the loupe I have, a Gaoersi 8X, sure makes it easy to 'focus' on the image. There's a Harbor Freight in my town...will have to check it out.
Kenny
oftheherd
Veteran
I'll try to show some photos tomorrow. The SKU is P38896, but I have had it for several years, so if they still sell it or can order it, the SKU might be different. It was called Magnifier Head Strap W/Lights. It does have lights on either side of the magnifier, and is double lens so you are looking at an object with both eyes. I seldom use the lights (wouldn't make sense of course to illuminate the ground glass from behind) unless working on something I can't easily illuminate some other way. I use it for camera repair also.
Let us know if you find it and any updated information to identify it.