RE: [Leica] Accessories for photobug

["Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" <peterk@lucent.com>]

The schneider loupes are good (great name though!!), the Rodenstock loupes
are better, the Maxwell Loupes are best.

Peter K

- -----Original Message-----
From: Ron & Beelian Miller [mailto:rkmiller001@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, December 07, 1998 8:21 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Accessories for photobug


Nathan,

Thanks for guiding me to recent archives and providing a good idea on
some of the goods.  I will certainly search for the loupe thread!  

1) Tell me, is it worth it to pay that much for that Schneider loupe?
What else do you use it for, other than viewing negatives, slides and
contact sheets? (OK, someone will flame me for thinking such heresy when
it comes to Leica images!!)

2) Yes, I have been eyeing the Cabin 4x5 size. Compared it to the Visual
Plus (roughly 4x5 viewing area). Cabin may be more expensive, but may be
worth it as the illumination is noticeably brighter then Visual Plus.
Does the Cabin eat up batteries like crazy? I know I spend much time
inspecting my neg & contacts.

3) Where can I get this plastic joining ring that keeps two lenses
together? Heh, heh ... I'm planning to get a short tele!

You see! I would not have known about the detachable end pocket system!
Where can I buy this? B&H doesn't list this "end-pocket" item?
Does the Alice bag have a top zip for the main compartment?
And for ease of cleaning, can i toss it in the washer & dryer? Detergent
too?

I suppose my research was not as thorough as it should be. I am too much
in a hurry and wanted to decide soon before the holiday madness affects
UPS or Fed Ex service!  ;-)

Thanks ever so much! 
Bee Lian 

(BTW i'm the M6 user in the family, while Ron plays with the P/S Elph
zoom)

You wrote Mon, 07 Dec 1998 08:30:57 +0100:
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. 
(snip)

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