Hoodman Loupe for Live View

In the May issue of Outdoor Photographer, George Lepp
mentions using the Hoodman Loupe for viewing "Live
View" on a bright day. Are any of you using this gadget,
and if so, are you happy with it?

I wear glasses only for reading. I don't use them in the
field. For those of you who are in my situation concerning
glasses, can you successfully use the Hoodman Loupe without
wearing glasses? I would rather not take my glasses into the
field. It's just one more thing to keep track of and not lose.

As an aside, I still have my old loupe that I used for viewing slides on a lightbox many years ago. I'm wondering if this would
work instead of investing in the Hoodman Loupe.

Thank you.

Cordially,

Robert Dayton

Well, I don't know how the rest feel, but I bought one of these hood loupes and found it to be quite difficult to use. There was some kind of rubber band arrangement to keep it on the camera which did not work very well for me and I eventually broke one of the bands so I have not got it out since. It does make the back panel viewable in bright daylight, if you can get it to stay on your camera.

I use my reading glasses to view live view on my 5DM2 and always have them with me wherever I am. Just what I am used to now. I'll have to have a closer look at this but doubt I would consider it.

I bought one, but now rarely use it. I used it more a couple years ago when I first started shooting digital. Now, I just don't bother although it does serve its purpose and works well, IMO. Regarding glasses, I don't need glasses up close, and I shoot without glasses. I used the Hoodman without glasses as well when I use it.

Robert, I have one of the Hoodman Loupes and use it all the time, especially in bright sunlight. It is a bit cumbersome, but I have found if I loop the cord around the base of my camera on my tripod, I can easily retrieve it when I need to use it. I was shooting with my pinhole lens the other day in bright sunlight and it really served me well. I guess it's all in what you get used to and what you find are your needs, but I like its application.

The Hoodman is OK but is exactly what everyone keeps saying, cumbersome. There is a fantastic loupe that is optically great, fog-free, has built-in magnification and as you already guessed, expensive. It's used on DSLRs for cinema work all the time on the field and on movie sets, pretty much the industry standard. It's called the Zacuto Z-Finder and it weighs in at a whopping $395 for the top-o-line model. But if you want *WOW!!* when you look through it and you're made of money, it's a great unit. It mounts on the bottom of the camera in the tripod hole and of course provides a tripod mount underneath, and it's not cheaply made by any stretch. It's the price of a 2.0X TC, it'd better be well made, lol!

UPDATE: I just took a look and this thing only fits the Canon 5D2/7D/60D and Nikon D300/D90/D7000 bodies. Huzzah.

I have both the Hoodman and Digi Finder loops but prefer the later because it has more magnification and it can be attached to the screen via a very handy stick on plastic frame. the Digi Finder collapses but I prefer to leave it set in the ready position. I also use it to check camera setting and even to set the angle of tilt on my 24mm shift tilt lens. I would not photograph without one of these loops. http://jag35.com/new/products/digi-finder-pro/

I started out trying a Hoodman but couldn't adjust it well enough for my vision. Also, the elastics were a pain. I hated to spend the money but bought a Zacuto instead and do use it. It adjust well for my vision. I have quite poor vision and never go without my glasses so just using the Live view was a problem before I got the Zacuto.

My Hoodman is for sale!

I have a suggestion. Don't ever shoot in really bright sunlight. The light sucks anyway!!!!!!!!!!

Chris

I have one, but seldom use it. I shoot the D2x and don't have LiveView, but used it originally just to check out my image on the screen. It's virtually impossible to see the screen when I shoot on the beach, but I found the Hoodman Loupe to be pretty worthless for my use, plus it was bulky, which has already been mentioned. I still prefer using a dark cloth for composition through the viewfinder and for viewing the screen afterwards.

I areally appreciate the feedback. Your comments will be very helpful when I make a decision.

I use a Hoodman on my 7D for video work. As others have said, its a bit cumbersome. My gripes are that it keeps slipping off the display, even with the optional mounting kit and you have to position your eye away from the actual eyepiece cup (takes a bit of practise in itself) when in use or strange optical artefacts are present. Its okay for occasional use, but I'll probably end up with a Zacuto too.

HTH.

Paul.