Graflex.org

[gerhard]

Can anyone recommend a ground glass focussing loupe for my Graflex camera that can focus on the image of the ground glass instead of the Ektalite fresnel lens. Most loupes focus at the end of the tube they are inside of, I need it to focus beyond that point to the ground glass image. Regards, Gerry

[Les]

I like old 50mm screw mount lenses.....Yashica, pentax, honeywell, etc..... They are cheap, coated and can be focused. Just test it at the show first since not all can focus at their filter flange, but if you get one that can, it will also focus 0.070" beyond it.

BTW This ides pops up on list serves and forums from time to time and it stirs a lot of theories.
Theory 1. You have to have your loupe focus on the other side of the glass, because that's where the image is.
Theory 2. You'll never do it accurately by sight because the ground glass itself effects the light entering the loupe, so you really aren't focusing where the aerial image is.

Theory 3, and the one I like the best...... All of the above may be true but film holder positions aren't anywere near that accurate and vary well beyond the minor tolerances trying to be held in theores 1 & 2.
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[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2003-08-21 19:38 ]

[gerhard]

Nice idea on using old 50mm lenses. I've used this with 50 f1.4 Nikkor but didn't like the idea of carrying it around. Also there's the weight. At's a7 element lens, A loupe is 2. Have you ever thought of cutting the transluscent ring down to adjust it's focussing point. I have a Fuji loupe which has one of these but was hoping someone else had done this before I make the plunge. Regards, Thanks Les

[45PSS]

I took my Eastman Commercial View with 12 inch Commerical Ektar attached to the Hardware Store (where I work, on a day off) and set it up on an unused checkout close to the reading glasses display and started testing on the trees on the far side of the parking lot. I easily found the power I needed to to pick out the leaves with at a distance of 10-14 inches from the ground glass. Spring hinge versions are more durable than the regular ones. I haven't decided if I will add a Behr clip on loupe or not. A 55S2 on 2.5 readers was recomended on another LF site.
Charles

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[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2003-08-21 22:34 ]

[Nick]

I use a rectangular magnifying glass. It easily gets into the corners if I want. Many people recommend linen testers. That's what I'm going to try next. The testers aren't very much money.

[Barry Scholles]

Info for Gerhard on focusing loupe.

Gerhard from what I read in your question you have the fresnel lens mounted on the outside of the ground glass. This is first of all an incorrect position for it.

Leslie Stroebel's book "View Camera Technique" (fifth edition) pg 218 shows it mounted with the grooved surface of the fresnel lens in direct contact with the ground surface of the ground glass. In other words, inside the camera not outside.

I had a very direct discussion with Calumet on this issue since their instructions show it incorrectly mounted as I think your fresnel is.

You will get only one, very bright image with it mounted the way Strobel recommends.

Now for your loupe question. I have found an Agfa 8x or 10x loupe works very well with its clear portion completely taped up with black plastic tape. This will eliminate all extraneous light when focusing. The lens can be twisted to its longest position to focus on the ground glass.

Barry Scholles
bscholles@adelphia.net

[45PSS]

Barry,
Sinar fresnels are on a frame that snaps in over the ground glass as an accessory.
Charles

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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.