Re: [Leica] Loupes

[RBedw51767@aol.com]

Nathan:

I have been using a Schneider 4x Lupe for several year and would evaluate it
as sharp but nothing special.  It is, in my opinion too light and the viewing
area rather smallish.  Just last week I purchased  a Pentax 5.5x lupe that is
a real joy to use.  The viewing lense on the Pentax is 2 inches wide compared
to 1-3/8 inches for the Schneider.   I would judge the weight of the Pentax to
be at least twice that of the Schneider.  I have been using it for both 35 and
6x6 formats.  It is heavy enough to hold the negatives flat and the surface of
the lupe that touches the negative is very smooth.  I don't remember what I
paid for the Schneider but I think it was around $160. compared to around $135
for the Pentax.  The Pentax is worth twice the Schneider.    Although I
haven't seen the ZOOM Pentax Lupe it has got to be a really nice item.  Please
don't hold me to it but I think that it zooms from 5 to 10 or 12x.  I would
suggest that you check the Pentax before you make a decision.  I haven't seen
the Leica as a comparison.

Happy hunting,
Bob Bedwell

<< I am in search for the perfect loupe with which to scrutinize my slides
 and negatives on the light table. I currently have two Horizon loupes, a
 4x which is nice as it covers the entire slide, and a 10x which is nice
 because of the higher magnification but it does not cover the entire
 image. I am looking for something with a higher magnification than 4x
 that can also cover the image. There is Leica's recent 5x offering, and
 Schneider's 6x loupe. Any opinions, are there any other brands I should
 consider?
 
 TIA.
 
 Nathan
  >>