Using a 4X Loupe….with your Digital Camera.

I have been shooting photographs since I was a little 10 year old, many moons ago. And finally, in 2001, I was happy to say goodbye to film. I haven’t missed it one bit in all these years. The advantages of digital are just too overwhelming.

There are many things that I take with me on every shoot, no matter if it’s an outdoor shoot, studio shoot or a travel shoot out of the country. But the one piece of equipment that I cannot live without is my 4X loupe to view my images on the LCD screen. My favorite is made by Peak and is the 4X loupe that comes with a string, I use this loupe and have it around my neck every time I shoot.

Peak 4X © Scott Stulberg All rights reserved

This loupe fits over the cameras LCD screen very nicely whether it’s a 2 inch or even a 2 and a half inch LCD. This is the loupe I have used for over 5 years.

Just as you always used an 8X loupe to view your slides on a slide table, why not bring that idea to digital photography. But an 8X loupe doesn’t work well with an LCD display. It shows the image too large and with too many black pixels from the LCD screen. A 4X loupe works the best but make sure the black piece is on the bottom of the loupe and not the clear plastic one(they all come with both pieces). The black piece is designed for viewing slides and the clear one is for viewing proof sheets. And make sure also that you use gaffers tape or some other tape on the bottom of the loupe so you do not scratch your LCD screen.

Many people think that that the magnify option that zooms in and out on many cameras is a good way to check focus and that is partly true. But it does nothing for composition or exposure or if you just want to see how the image feels. The zoom feature only magnifies part of the image. The 4X loupe magnifies the entire image and is nothing short of remarkable for helping you see your images clearer and bigger and if there is anything wrong in the image.

There is also another great advantage of using an 4X loupe in the field. Dust.. I can check to see if I have dust on the sensor so easily with a loupe. Try that with the naked eye. Just point the camera up to the sky or a plain, one color surface and take a test shot with a large aperture, such as f16 or above. Then use the loupe on your LCD to check for dust. If you try this technique once, you could save tons of time in editing out those dust spots in Photoshop later.

Another great thing about a loupe is when I want to show the image to the people that I am shooting, especially kids and people from around the world. You should see their faces when I give them the loupe and they put it up to their eyes and see their faces magnified. It is priceless sometimes.

And even another advantage is looking at your shots in the sun. It’s impossible to see your images on the LCD screen in full sun..but with a 4X loupe surrounding that screen, you block out all the sun and can see your images perfectly. This is a no brainer. It works!

Horizon 4X © Scott Stulberg All rights reserved

The two other loupes that I recommend are first, the Horizon 4X loupe which is similar to the Peak except it is bigger and heavier but also is half the price, but does not come with a string to put it around your neck.

Rodenstock 4X © Scott Stulberg All rights reserved

And second the Rodenstock 4X, which is round and also very nice.
Remember to tape the bottom of the loupe with black tape (gaffers tape from the photo store works best)…and use it around your neck so that you don’t misplace it and always have it handy.

Remember, this is a 4X loupe, not the old 8X loupe we have all used for years with slides.

Once you use a 4X loupe on your LCD screen, I bet you never leave home without it……!!

Comments

[Gretchen Yengst]

Hi Scotty -- You are probably still off shooting in Cuba and Belize -- getting all the good ones. I am just following up on a lot of your Stock lesson info, reading your blog here. Thank you for sharing ALL THIS GREAT STUFF!!I am getting my 4X loupe right after I get off here.
Also, I am finding the stock course very beneficial as I have several clients who I shoot who have contracts for modeling with their small children and babies in NYC. In doing their preliminary, generic shooting for their agents, I have a much better idea about what will please their agents and future clients as I work with them -- post your stock class. I also am looking forward to taking your "eye to eye" class when you return.
Safe travels.
Gretchen Yengst

[Pat]

Hi. I have a brand new Nikon D90 and the screen is larger than the other Nikons I think. I do not want to scratch the screen so I would appreciate a recommendation for the best fitting loupe. Thanks alot.

PS. Loved the articles and look forward to taking classs in the near future as I make the transition from my Leica M3 to my new DSLR!

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