Best magnifier

[Jannie]

What is the preferred magnifier/loop for viewing the screen on the back of the camera when checking outdoors to see focus or generally if you got the shot

[Ralph Merlino]

The AGFA loupe works well also the Bausch & Lomb

[CafeRacer808]

Hoodmans are great as well.

[tvphotog]

I'm sorry if I'm missing something, but isn't the 10x mag on the camera enough? Please tell me when I would need a loupe.

[CafeRacer808]

I'm sorry if I'm missing something, but isn't the 10x mag on the camera enough? Please tell me when I would need a loupe.

A couple of things...magnifying in-camera also magnifies the pixels (which can make focusing a bit more difficult) and, at the same time, you only get to spot check a portion of the image at a time. With an LCD loupe, you're able to see the entire image at a 1:1 ratio (for the Hoodmans, anyway). Loupes are also good for fighting the glare when you're trying to view the LCD outdoors.

[Jon]

A couple of things...magnifying in-camera also magnifies the pixels (which can make focusing a bit more difficult) and, at the same time, you only get to spot check a portion of the image at a time. With an LCD loupe, you're able to see the entire image at a 1:1 ratio (for the Hoodmans, anyway). Loupes are also good for fighting the glare when you're trying to view the LCD outdoors.
Your LCD doesn't have nearly as many pixels as your sensor; all a loupe will do is magnify the LCD's pixels. Zooming in with the LCD shows you closer to what the sensor sees albeit over a small area.

[CafeRacer808]

Your LCD doesn't have nearly as many pixels as your sensor; all a loupe will do is magnify the LCD's pixels. Zooming in with the LCD shows you closer to what the sensor sees albeit over a small area.

Good point!

[Gord SW Ont]

I use the Hoodman 3 inch loupe. It really isn't a magnifier (closer to a fixed 1:1) ... but you can zoom in on the LCD if required to better check focus. It is great for viewing the back LCD in bright sunlight. Even though the newer higher quality 920K dot LCD's have improved this somewhat over the older versions, the loupe makes visibility much better.

I've used other hood-type devices and none were nearly as effective as this loupe.

It gives a view of all the information and I find it especially useful to get a better picture of the histogram details. Quite often there is a very small tail that can be easily missed without the loupe and can help determine ETTR more accurately.

In addition, the Hoodman has a diopter adjustment which for those with glasses can be very handy (ie they don't have to keep taking their glasses on and off, etc).

As always ... ymmv. ;)

[Ricardo222]

What is the preferred magnifier/loop for viewing the screen on the back of the camera when checking outdoors to see focus or generally if you got the shot

My eyes aren't as good as they used to be I guess, and when I purchased a TS-E15 which requires careful manual focussing I was missing a few times. So, after contemplating the expense of a Hoodman, which is probably the prince of magnifiers, I went the other route.
I bought a cheap plastic slide viewer...remember those?..., took off the slide holder and was left with a perfectly functional loupe. Total cost $8.00!
With the live view set to 10x and the cheap loupe I have cured my focussing problems.

In case anyone wonders why one would actually need a focussing aid on a 17mm lens, because the depth of field is pretty extensive, that lens is so sharp that with large prints I was definitely noticing the difference. And the focussing scale is useless once the lens is moved off axis for architectural shots.

[bohdank]

I use the Hoodman 3 inch loupe. It really isn't a magnifier (closer to a fixed 1:1) ... but you can zoom in on the LCD if required to better check focus. It is great for viewing the back LCD in bright sunlight. Even though the newer higher quality 920K dot LCD's have improved this somewhat over the older versions, the loupe makes visibility much better.

I've used other hood-type devices and none were nearly as effective as this loupe.

It gives a view of all the information and I find it especially useful to get a better picture of the histogram details. Quite often there is a very small tail that can be easily missed without the loupe and can help determine ETTR more accurately.

In addition, the Hoodman has a diopter adjustment which for those with glasses can be very handy (ie they don't have to keep taking their glasses on and off, etc).

As always ... ymmv. ;)

I've been thinking of buying the Hoodman 3. The LCD does get washed out in bright sun, when using Liveview. Should be helpful for shooting outdoor macro, I would think.

[Jannie]

My situation is I shoot a lot of stuff out doors that will end up on a manufacturers website. The major detriment of the MKIII for me has always been the viewing screen where I cannot tell in daylight if I have the focus quite right. Most of these shots are done at 10 fps but require detail. I can't see much of anything on an already poor screen when it's sunny out. I have been hoping a magnifier would help and the Hoodman seems to block out extraneous light.

Is this logical thinking, I'd hate to order it and then find I've wasted my money.

[johhnrobbs]

Most people use magnifiers for reading, but you can use them for many activities and tasks around the home including needlework and DIY, as well as some outdoor tasks.
There are many types of magnifiers (http://www.care-optics.com/) available. It is very important that anyone using them understands and appreciates the potentials as well as the limitations of the full range available.

[Apollo.11]

Pretty interesting. I've never heard of them before. I guess just one more thing to put on the shopping list :)

[Andrew_WOT]

There are plenty of options:
- Hoodman
- LCDVF
- Zacuto
I use LCDVF, like the fact that it can get easily attached and detached and price. :)
http://www.pauljoy.com/gear/camera-accessories/lcdvf/

[ben_r_]

I have the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro 2.5x and love it. IMO anything magnifying at 3x is just too much. Ends up looking too pixelated.