Re: loupes for large format camera use and; humidity levels

Oh, my . . . the two most important pieces of LF equipment are your light
meter and your loupe.

I lost a large client because I had my loupe in the vest, but wrong pocket,
i.e. couldn't find it for the important first shot.

Fuzzy, large contact pictures are NOT winners. There is NO WAY you can fine
focus without a loupe.

There are basically two loupes out there. The less expensive oned gives you
four inches distance from the ground glass, while the other one gives maybe
half a foot.

I actually had a pair of bifocals made with the near focus at four inches,
yes I have the less expensive loupe. Little difference, but focusing with a
loupe is a specific skill.

On darkroom humidity . . . personally I just wouldn't know. In California,
I got a packet of film that was kept in the guarage of the seller for 10
years. Simply on a shelf in the garage in Santa Monica. Perfect shape,
exposed normally, no color variation.

Canada? OMG!

S. Shapiro
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Ferguson
To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 8:04 AM
Subject: Re: loupes for large format camera use and; humidity levels

I'll be the "odd man out" here and suggest skipping the loupe. Too hard to
use in the corners. Makes you look at parts of, rather than the entirety of,
your image. I use reading glasses. Put them on a neck string, put them OVER
your regular reading glasses when you need to see closer. You will need to
keep your eyes a specific distance from the groundglass (depending on your
regular and reading glasses). Try it, simple, fast and cheap.

On Saturday, April 23, 2005, at 07:41 AM, Susan Huber wrote:

Hello all;
I have two queries; what is the best loupe for viewing a large format camera
keeping in mind that I wear glasses for far-sightness and astigmatism. (For
focusing that is).
And; what is an acceptable humidity level in a new darkroom? I live on the
Wet Coast of Canada, can't seem to get it down below 70s'- that is without
use for a week- I am a week-end user.
I would appreciate any help,
Susan
www.susanhuber.com

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--------------
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
Received on Sat Apr 23 10:30:16 2005