Graflex.org

[Murray@uptowngallery.org]

My 4x5 CG has what I hope I am correctly calling a Graflok back with a detachable metal viewing hood. On the rear (when closed) panel of the viewing hood (points up when open) are two metal 'clips'.

1) What are the clips for...written info?

2) How can one use a loupe with the hood...chopsticks? My hand doesn't work.

I have probably asked this before, but I still don't 'get it'...if one were to hand hold a loupe or a magnifying glass for practice purposes only, or because you can't fit it inside the focussing hood, is there any interaction between the f.l. of the camera lens and the f.l. of the loupe/magnifier? What I'm getting at is whether it is possible to focus an image on the ground glass by a combination of wrong positions of both the objective and the 'pseudo-loupe'?

Intuition tells me that isn't possible; if I can focus the loupe on the GG texture (should I avoid focusing on the Fresnel texture?), then focusing the objective lens should provide an in-focus image.

I'm not sure I saw something contradicting this, but the whole process isn't building much confidence.

3) My eyeglasses and the focussing hood are a really lousy combination. Maybe I need new glasses, because I can't focus at the distance of the hood length. The homebrew one on this site looks alot longer...maybe we all have the same problem?


Thanks

_________________
Murray



[ This Message was edited by: Murray@uptowngallery.org on 2007-01-06 20:41 ]

[RichS]

Murray,

Those two metal clips are for holding the darkslide, which only works well if you're using the camera handheld with the rangfinder.

To use a loupe with the hood, you need the right loupe! Unless you want to spend a fortune, I like the Toyo 3.4 power. It's a little over 3 1/2 inches long and a perfect fit for hood use, also a great magnifying power.

I'm not sure what you mean by the rest? It sounds like you're asking about a focusable loupe? That would have to be focused first, then the camera. And yes, focus on the GG image, not on the Ektalite.

Also, the hood isn't meant to be any kind of eye distance, just a shade for the GG. I usually hold my head back a foot or two and only go close up with the luope. By the way, you can just as easily take the hood off and use it like any other view type camera.

And, in a pich, I use drug store half frame reading glasses at the highest magnification, usually around 3 diopter. I find the ones that will fit over my glasses and for camera use, I place them on the top of my glasses instead of the normal bottom reading position. This makes it much easier to use with the GG and doesn't interfere with normal eye viewing.

Enjoy!

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Murray,

As Rich has said, the clips are for holding tthe dark slide while making the shot. That of course works best if the hood is closed (as when composing with the viewfinder and focusing with the rangefinder).

The use of a loupe will not shift the setting for best focus as seen via the ground glass. When the image is clearest on the ground glass, that is the proper focus setting. If the loupe is not properly positioned, that best image may still look blurred, but the best image will still be seen at the point of proper focus.

Of course, if the loupe is used properly, it will me much easier to discern the best image, but the focus setting at which it occurs is not shifted by the situation of the loupe.

This is the same situation as in the corresponding matter of the vision correction setting (the mis-called "diopter dial") in an SLR viewfinder.

Indeed, to use a loupe, the hood really needs to be removed. If there is then too much ambient light on the ground glass, one may need to resort to the use of a dark cloth.


[ This Message was edited by: Doug Kerr on 2007-01-07 07:06 ]

[Henry]

Just wanted to point out that on the Century 2x3 the folding hood does not interfere with the Toyo loupe. That's because the hood "flap" is smaller than on the 4x5. The Toyo is a great tool, for sure. Now when I was using an "elcheapo" 8x short-bodied loupe there was a problem! I could only hold it against the gg by using my index and middle fingers as a "claw." But that little cheapie focused great!

[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2007-01-08 04:01 ]

[Murray@uptowngallery.org]

Thanks all.

I have seen many strong opinions about the uselessness of cheap loupes, but am also impressed with the elegance of the simple magnifier mounted on some TLR's and I think the sheet film accessory back for the Medallist has one too.

Doug's reply really brings the function and purpose of the loupe to the forefront. I think that a lousy loupe or whatever amputated lens I have lying on the bench has got to be better than not being able to see any details. Gotta be better than scale focussing too, as previous owners destroyed the RF's on both of my Graflex machines. )

Thanks

[ This Message was edited by: Murray@uptowngallery.org on 2007-01-08 07:59 ]