Re: [Leica] Accessories for photobug

[Nathan Wajsman <nathan.wajsman@euronet.be>]

Ron & Beelian,

I have some answers/comments for you.

1) I have recently gone through a loupe search. I wanted one which covers
the entire image of a 35mm slide or negative with as much magnification as
possible. I considered several models/brands and received a lot of good
advice on this forum--you can look in the archives, the thread is quite
recent, within the past month. One good bet seems the Pentax 5.5x loupe
which does cover the entire image; Pentax also has a 5x-11x zoom loupe which
I was really tempted by, but it does not cover the entire image even at the
short setting. I ended up with the Schneider 6x aspherical loupe. (Yes, I
also looked at the new Leica 5x loupe in the shop but did not like it, plus
it was 5x and not 6x and also more expensive than the Schneider). The price
of the Schneider in the U.S. is a bit above your maximum, around $250 at the
mail order places in NYC.

2) For portable lightboxes, nothing beats the various Cabin models. They are
flat and provide excellent illumination. They aren't cheap, but will make a
wonderful companion to your quality loupe and Leica images. I have the
smallest, about 4x5, but it comes in a larger size too.

3) I have two Billingham bags: the 225 as the main bag, in which my M3 and
M6 plus assorted lenses and other accessories live, and the Alice for
travelling light. I use the Alice when I want to take one M body with 3-4
lenses. I use the plastic joining rings to keep two lenses together, it is
very handy. The Alice has a detachable end pocket system (as do the larger
bags); I keep film in the end pockets. Bill Rosauer actually carries two M
bodies and 6 lenses in his Alice--without any end pockets! I was quite
impressed when he showed me his bag at Photokina. The Alice is a very nice
bag for the use you are describing.

Kind regards,

Nathan

Ron & Beelian Miller wrote:

> Hello friends,
>
> I am in the buying mode and would like some suggestions and feedback on
> the following items (they'd make great stocking stuffers!!):-D
>
> 1) I need a high quality loupe and considering two tiers of expenses:
> <$100 and <$200.  My eyes fatigue easily and images viewed through my
> cheap $10 loupe are only clear in the center. Where do I begin or how do
> I choose from the many offerings?  What features do I want to include in
> my search if I'm using the loupe for viewing 35mm slides, negatives,
> prints? What other applications do loupes have?  What is groundglass
> viewing? eye-point? skirts? adjustable focus?  Achromatic, light
> gathering and eye relief loupes? What about scale and anastigmatic
> loupes? A loupe with a bigger magnification number means a larger image
> but is that necessarily better? Does aspherical offer better detail? Do
> these fancy features justify their high prices? Suggestions on best
> value for the money?
>
> 2) Suggestions for an evenly distributed bright light, lightweight and
> portable lightbox for viewing 35mm negs or slides?  Possibility of
> adding medium format much later on.
>
> 3), a compact photo bag for city touring. I have narrowed it down to
> Billingham's Alice and Hadley, and Domke's F6 and Camera Satchel.
> Weights are about the same. Capacity varies slightly. Any comments, pros
> and cons from experiences? Durability? Lasting finish?  Any trouble with
> equipment staying in place? I'll be carrying an M6, 35mm f2 lens, light
> meter, at least 10 rolls of film, cleaning items, filters and
> notepad/batteries. On a heavier day, I'll add a table tripod, an SLR
> with 55mm and maybe 135mm lens.
>
> 4) a self-timer for the M6. Anyone tried the Universal ($20) or Hama
> ($40) brand in the B&H catalog? Which is better or are both cheap
> plastics?
>
> 5) a print trimmer/cutter. Requiring sharp clean and accurate cuts. Pro
> and cons on the Boston Trimmer (arm blade / grid wood base), Rotatrim
> Mastercut, Rotatrim's Technical series and Rotatrim's Monorail 26? Other
> brand suggestions?
>
> Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I apologize for asking these
> questions if they have been discussed before however I have been away
> from the LUG for some time now and have missed those postings.
>
> Many thanks friends!
> Bee Lian



- --
Nathan Wajsman
Overijse, Belgium

Photography page:  http://members.tripod.com/~belgiangator/index.html
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