Help me learn about the lens like device used by photographers.
April 9, 2006 8:40 AM Subscribe
What is the lens like device that photographers use to view photographs at very close range (almost next to their faces) and why do they use it?
I think it's called a loupe, and they use it for magnification - to check for fine detail, signs of manipulation, etc.
posted by chudmonkey at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
posted by chudmonkey at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
do you mean a loupe? it's a magnifying device to help see details.
posted by andrew cooke at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
posted by andrew cooke at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
oh.
posted by andrew cooke at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
posted by andrew cooke at 8:45 AM on April 9, 2006
They are normally used in conjunction with a light table, especially for inspecting negatives or slides. The magnification is typically around 4X but you can find them in sizes up to 10X and higher. You can get a cheap loupe for like $5 but the optics will be shit.
posted by Rhomboid at 9:27 AM on April 9, 2006
posted by Rhomboid at 9:27 AM on April 9, 2006
Then there is also a magnifier called a Linen Tester. This performs the same function, but it folds up so you can put it in your pocket.
posted by lemhuxley at 11:03 AM on April 9, 2006
posted by lemhuxley at 11:03 AM on April 9, 2006
Loupes are also used by gemologists and geologists to see fine details in gems & rocks.
posted by nprigoda at 3:29 PM on April 9, 2006
posted by nprigoda at 3:29 PM on April 9, 2006
Graphic Designers swear by linen testers too. You can't do a press check without one...
posted by ninthart at 3:50 PM on April 9, 2006
posted by ninthart at 3:50 PM on April 9, 2006
There are loupes and then there are loupes. Back when professional photographers were shooting film, most of them used the Schneider 4X Loupe, which was very sharp and easy on the eyes when editing a lot of film. I've had one for 20 years and still use it regularly. They are also used for focusing large-format cameras. Schneider makes them in various other magnifications as well.
posted by philmas at 10:22 AM on April 12, 2006
posted by philmas at 10:22 AM on April 12, 2006
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It's often used for viewing contact sheets, which is where each printed shot is the same size as the original film (very small).
posted by cillit bang at 8:44 AM on April 9, 2006