Do you use a loupe on your camera preview screen?

[Divegirl]

I am getting so frustrated with the preview window on my Canon Xsi. It's 3" yea but I really tend to miss stuff because it's also so tiny. I know there's a zoom control on the camera but honestly, it's just too much of a pain to use and pan around the picture quickly. I once saw a photographer use a loupe on the back of his camera to view the previews. I searched ebay and B&H on loupes and there is such a wide range of selections that I'm just clueless. Does anyone recommend a certain loupe and why?

Thanks,

Jodi

[Songman45]

He must have been used to looking at contact sheets or slides. I don't think you're going to see better detail with a loupe. I wouldn't think fumbling with yet something else in hand would be any easier than zooming in on the details.

[swampler]

Was it in bright sunshine? Might have been using it more to block the sun than anything. Sorry, no experience using one myself, though.

[camrajoky]

I actually was shown this technique by a friend that does a lot of macro photography on PC boards. I use a folding Loope that was designed for use with slides. To avoid the fumbling around for it during a photo session in studio....I took one of those retractable security badge holders. I clip the belt clip onto the D ring for the neck strap, then the other end I snap onto the loope....this way it pulls out for use when needed and then retracts after you use it.
I shoot family portraits and use a D-200 for the studio work. The loope does help to see if eyes are open and if the expression is what I was looking for. Also for those who have the need for reading glasses, this is faster and simpler to use. I leave my reading glasses at the sales table.

[KmH]

Originally Posted by Divegirl

I know there's a zoom control on the camera but honestly, it's just too much of a pain to use and pan around the picture quickly. Thanks,

Jodi

OMG. You're not kidding are you?
Don't ever shoot film! Just couldn't resist, sorry.

With a loupe, you're still going to have to zoom in to check focus and other details.

You should look into shooting tethered.

[Divegirl]

Camrajoky - The photographer I saw using it had his on some sort of cord or chain that hung from his neck. I really like the idea of it being retractable. So basically you use it as a magnifying glass pretty much? So I guess which kind wouldn't matter then.

Keith - When I said it was a pain, I meant that it's just one more obstacle in the way of the shot I want to get while someone is posing. The more time I take the more chances I'll miss the shot. I do shoot tethered when I'm in my studio but not outside. Yes, and I'm very glad I've never had to shoot film.

How is it that you can be certain that you're lighting looks right, there are no raccoon eyes, crazy things that just mess a picture up all on a teeny 3" screen? Maybe I just need glasses, I dunno....or a better camera? (good excuse to upgrade) heh heh.

Jodi

[ohenry]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never considered the lcd on the back of the camera as a source for critical evaluation. Maybe it's because I grew up shooting film and we didn't have instant replay. I can see Camarjoky's point about eyes open, I guess.

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by ohenry

Maybe it's just me, but I've never considered the lcd on the back of the camera as a source for critical evaluation. Maybe it's because I grew up shooting film and we didn't have instant replay. I can see Camarjoky's point about eyes open, I guess.

No, It' not just you.

[degatti]

I saw some one using a portable dvd player that they plugged their camera's composite video in to. Gave them a nice 8 inch screen to preview their pics on.

[extreme8]

This is the product I see used most often.
I thought it was a silly idea until I borrowed one from a wedding photographer to chimp a few shots in direct sunlight.
Haven't bought one yet, but I'm thinking about it...
HoodLoupe 3.0-Hoodman Corporation

[KmH]

Originally Posted by Divegirl

.......How is it that you can be certain that you're lighting looks right, there are no raccoon eyes, crazy things that just mess a picture up all on a teeny 3" screen?.......

Jodi

It's called experience. I see those things with my set of Mark I eyeballs before I put my eye to the viewfinder to frame the shot and trip the shutter.

[Divegirl]

Thanks Extreme8 for the feedback. That was exactly what I was looking for.

As for some other comments, the "film" and "experience" comments just were not what I was looking for and quite frankly, were intimidating to someone that's new. If I've posted in the wrong forum, I apologize.

Jodi

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by Divegirl

Thanks Extreme8 for the feedback. That was exactly what I was looking for.

As for some other comments, the "film" and "experience" comments just were not what I was looking for and quite frankly, were intimidating to someone that's new. If I've posted in the wrong forum, I apologize.

Jodi

After you spend the $100 or so for this, come back to this post in 18 months and tell us how much you end up using the thing and if the money was well spent of if it sits on the shelf or in the bag gathering dust. My guess is, that if you are truly interested in learning the art of photography, your gain in experience will have the thing gathering dust most of the time.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Divegirl

As for some other comments, the "film" and "experience" comments just were not what I was looking for and quite frankly, were intimidating to someone that's new. If I've posted in the wrong forum, I apologize.

Jodi

Best I can tell, the experience comment was an answer to a direct question of how "he" did it. You're in the right forum, so don't worry about it. Glad you got the info you needed.

[Joves]

Originally Posted by ohenry

Maybe it's just me, but I've never considered the lcd on the back of the camera as a source for critical evaluation. Maybe it's because I grew up shooting film and we didn't have instant replay. I can see Camarjoky's point about eyes open, I guess.

Nope it isnt just you and gryph. I very occasionally use my lcd as it is and, that is mostly when Im manually setting my flash and, when I set WB, otherwise I just shoot. I know a novel concept anymore but, it is what it is.

[camrajoky]

I do think there is a need for those of us that need reading glasses and can not focus on close in with out aids. I also shoot in studio family portraits and I try to minimise the number of exposures I take to the sales table. I do not want to have any negative problems to set my clients to say"oh that would have been the best if his eyes were only open". By reviewing the image as I shoot I can make fine tuning adjustments. I also am working on a time sensative schedule where you don't want to overwhelm the client with too many images or choices.
I also like to show the image to my clients while they are in the pose before switching to another. Many times my clients don't have there readers with them and they find the loope as a alternative to that. My sales are higher as I can motivate the client while we are still shooting and they usually walk to the sales table with checkbook in hand prepaired to buy.

[richardpcrowe]

I don't usually chimp my images to the extent that I need a loupe to examine them.

On-the-other-hand; I have a lot of trouble viewing the menu displays on my LCD out in the daylight. It is a combination of glare and an old man's failing vision. Since many camera controls are activated through the menu (especially when I shot with a 350D), I needed help. Commercial viewers were not available when I fabricated mine.

I fabricated a viewer which works excellently out of a 2x jewelers loupe and an amber plastic pill container.

I cut off the container at the length so that the loupe will be in focus when I place the end of the container against the LCD. I use the factory end against the LCD and the cut off end is where I glued the loupe. The factory end is smoother than the end I cut off. The amber color of the pill container cylinder shields my view against the bright daylight.

I got the loupe as part of a magnifier set I bought from eBay and had never used it until I fabricated the viewer. However, I have seen loupes at various flea markets and swap meets.

I carry the viewer in the top pocket of my shooting vest but, could easily attach some sort of lanyard to it. It works just fine, weighs next to nothing and the price was certainly right. I can even use this viewer to examine the controls indicated on the top LCD readout of my xxD cameras.

[moxi1]

Hi there,
I wanted to mention the "Hoodman" loupe, but someone has already beaten me to it.

I usually don't check the LCD of my Nikon D200 after each shot, but on some occasions it would have been good to have a lope with a body to keep the light out.

I had used a hand held slide viewer, but found the magnification a bit too strong for my D200. With the new high resolution screens that might be better.

I will have to find out where to get the "Hoodman" in Australia.

Cheers Moxi1