Anyone using a Hoodman loupe (or something similar)
Discussion
8 replies
Posted by Bob Falcone on June 28, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Thinking about getting a loupe or some kind of focusing aid for when in Live View. But, they ain't cheap! Anyone using one? Is it useful? Worth the money?
Bob, the loupes are very effective when focusing in live view with the camera on a tripod, especially in bright light.
Are they worth the expense? I'd say yes, if that is how you routinely focus.
I suggest borrowing one for a day before you make a decision.
I don't own one but I've tried the Hoodman loupes a few times in the field and was impressed. I found them especially useful for checking composition and histogram in bright conditions. With regard to live view focusing, if your camera doesn't have a fairly hi-res LCD on the back I don't think a loupe will do any good as all you'll see is pixels. My old camera LCD was around 400k and my 5DII is around 900k. HUGE difference. The loupe worked great on the 5DII's LCD and terribly on the other one. I submitted a sponsorship proposal to Hoodman a while back but they weren't interested. Oh well.
I tried a Hoodman first as it was the least expensive option. I counldn't work with Live View at all due to my prescription glasses. I need something to use for video and then bought the Zacuto. Yes, extremely expensive comparatively. It does offer more diopter adjustment than the Hoodman and does work wonderfully well. It attaches with an adhesive frame and I found it much more stable than the Hoodman. In fact, I have a virtually unused one I'd sell.
Posted by Bob Falcone on June 28, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Thanks everyone! Bret, I'll be using it on a 7D and 50D and I hadn't thought about the LCD resolution.
Eleanor, I may be interested in yours. I'll drop you an e-mail.
Another option is smallHD. Expensive, but worth it if you plan to use it often.
Posted by Monika Chace on June 28, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Bob,
I have a HoodLoupe. I agree with Bill & Eleanor. In bright light, it can be the only way to use your LCD either for composing, manually focusing or checking your image after taking the shot. And for those of us without perfect eyesight, it makes it possible without glasses. I hear that the rubber bands that the HoodLoupe uses are worthless if you want to attach it to your lcd. I use it on a 7d -- don't try to check the edges of your image as they'll just be distorted.
Discussion
8 repliesThanks
Are they worth the expense? I'd say yes, if that is how you routinely focus.
I suggest borrowing one for a day before you make a decision.
Eleanor, I may be interested in yours. I'll drop you an e-mail.
I have a HoodLoupe. I agree with Bill & Eleanor. In bright light, it can be the only way to use your LCD either for composing, manually focusing or checking your image after taking the shot. And for those of us without perfect eyesight, it makes it possible without glasses. I hear that the rubber bands that the HoodLoupe uses are worthless if you want to attach it to your lcd. I use it on a 7d -- don't try to check the edges of your image as they'll just be distorted.
Joe Rogers