Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Bee Lian, 1) You have received advice on some other brands here. The Schneider loupe is wonderful, but if those other ones are as good and cheaper, why not? I have a 4x Horizon loupe which costs around $50, covers the whole image and is generally very good. But I wanted one with a higher magnification. So if you have access to some of the other recommended loupes, you should take a serious look at them. Here in Europe we do not have Maxwell etc. My choice was basically between the Schneider and the Leica, and between those two the Schneider was the better deal. 2) I do not use my little Cabin that often. I keep it in the office. The place where I get my slides processed is close to the office; I usually pick up the slides during lunch and do not want to wait until I get home. I have the original set of batteries in it still, for about a year, so I wouldn't say it eats batteries. At home I have another brand, bigger size, with an AC adapter, so battery consumption is not an issue. If I were buying a new light table today, I would definitely go for the big Cabin, battery eater or not. The quality is impeccable. 3) The plastic joining thingie is indispensable. According to Eastland's "Leica M Compendium", its code is 14838 and the official description is "Back-to-back locking lens cap for two lenses". It is exactly what it says: a round plastic ring, about 3/4 inch thick, with a lens mount in each side. It is extremely handy; the only limitation is that you cannot join two wide angles (the rear elements would collide). I carry the 90mm Elmarit and the 24mm Elmarit in this fashion. 3.5) All Billingham bags can be fitted with detachable end pockets. I bought mine directly from Billingham, as they are hard to find in Belgium (and evidently also in the U.S.). You can contact Billingham by e-mail: nicki@billingham.co.uk. This is Nicki Smith, a very helpful lady in the sales dept. who will either put you in touch with a U.S. source for these things or take an order by phone. The Alice does not have a zip, but the way the bag and top flap are put together, it is quite safe even in rainy weather. Nathan Ron & Beelian Miller wrote: > 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) - -- Nathan Wajsman Overijse, Belgium Photography page: http://members.tripod.com/~belgiangator/index.html Motorcycle page: http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/downs/1704/index.html