Beginner with Pentax Loupe question

[Film explorer]

Hi,

First, I would like to introduce myself. I'm in my second year of university and recently decided to make a transition from digital to film. I was attracted to the mystique of film and film cameras and sold my Panasonic point and shoot and Canon to purchase a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s along with some darkroom supplies. I am really stoked with the camera as it is so solid. It will be my pride and joy until I can save for a M6 - my dream camera.

I am thinking of purchasing a Pentax 5.5X Super Multi-coated Magnifier loupe to analyse my negatives (I plan to just shoot 35mm for the time being to increase my confidence). I notice on the Adorama website under the product description, it says it includes: Transparency stand.

Is that the same as opaque hood/skirt?

I plan to view negatives on a lightbox and I thought I should do that with a black hood/skirt, not an opaque one.

So, does anyone know if the black skirt comes with it? I realise that this is a stupid question, but I really don't know who else to turn to.

Also, if I use a loupe, is it okay to directly touch the negatives, or should they be inserted in printfile like sleeves to prevent scratches? Is the bottom smooth??

To purchase this loupe is a considerable outlay for me as I'm a student, so I just wanted to avoid buyers regrets as I'm shipping to Australia and refund would be potentially difficult.

I would love to hear from some members with some advice on this. It would be much appreciated

[Bob Michaels]

I view negs on a lightbox with a loupe that has a clear skirt and it works fine.

I always view negs loaded into a PrintFile negative storage sheet. It is just easier to mark them that way.

[brainwood]

Hi Film Explorer and welcome to RFF. You've found a good place to begin your exploration we're a friendly bunch ;-)

If money is tight and you're just starting out have you thought of buying a cheap loupe ? They may not be quite as good as the pentax but adequate for your purpose.

Hama do a very resonable one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Standin...145608&sr=8-19

Do you intend to print your negs using a wet darkroom or scan them. If you're scanning like me then a loupe is not really necessary as I use the initial pre scan for the same purpose.

cheers

Chris

[Film explorer]

Bob: thanks for your feedback. I am going to purchase a packet of 100 35mm Print file negs from adorama. I will remember to keep them in the file.

Brainwood: thanks also for your information, I appreciate your time. I was directed to the Pentax after doing a search here. I saved a little extra money and was hoping to get a good one. I will be using the darkroom as well as scanning some months later after I get a basic understanding of the darkroom.

Also, if there is anyone else with direct information about the Pentax loupe feel free to reply^^

Thanyou again>

[Bob Michaels]

Originally Posted by brainwood

..................... If you're scanning like me then a loupe is not really necessary as I use the initial pre scan for the same purpose. ...................

My approach which I have used for 10+ years differs from Chris'. I use the loupe to determine which negs to scan so I eliminate any scanning for the vast majority of negs. Scanning only 2-3% of what I shoot gives me the flexibility to devote as much time as needed to those selected ones. This is simply a carryover from my old wet darkroom workflow except I evaluate negs directly on a lightbox rather than evaluating a contact sheet.

[Film explorer]

Originally Posted by Bob Michaels

My approach which I have used for 10+ years differs from Chris'. I use the loupe to determine which negs to scan so I eliminate any scanning for the vast majority of negs. Scanning only 2-3% of what I shoot gives me the flexibility to devote as much time as needed to those selected ones. This is simply a carryover from my old wet darkroom workflow except I evaluate negs directly on a lightbox rather than evaluating a contact sheet.

Bob: I'm curious - what percentage do you think of former photo-journalists evaluate their negs on a lightbox compared to making contact sheets?

Which was the more popular/efficient way to analyse/evaluate your work, in the old days of newspaper/magazine photographers.

Also, does anyone else have information on the Pentax loupe^?^

[Bob Michaels]

Unquestionably, everyone evaluated from contact sheets. I did too back then.

I do feel I can learn as much or probably more now from evaluating the raw negs. One is looking at a first generation rather than a second one. I found that I very quickly acclimated to looking at a negative image and evaluating it as a positive.

I tried making a digital contact sheet with a flat bed scanner. The resolution made it much less effective than the original sheet of negs.

I chose my loupe by going to a real pro photo store and trying out the 7 or 8 they had in stock on their lightbox. I did not chose the very best or the cheapest. Mine (a jobo) seemed to be 99% as good as the best but only 60% of the price.

Originally Posted by Film explorer

Bob: I'm curious - what percentage do you think of former photo-journalists evaluate their negs on a lightbox compared to making contact sheets?

Which was the more popular/efficient way to analyse/evaluate your work, in the old days of newspaper/magazine photographers.

Also, does anyone else have information on the Pentax loupe^?^

[Film explorer]

If any member out there has direct experience with buying and using a loupe, then I would love to hear from you. I am desperate to know whether the Pentax 5.5x loupe comes with a black skirt/hood for viewing negs on the lightbox. In the product description it only mentions the transparent hood.



Bob, also thanks for that fascinating insight into the world of film. I really hope to learn to be able to do both - evaluate negatives from a light box as well as make contact prints. It feels refreshing to leave behind digital for the next year!

[brainwood]

I use the loupe to determine which negs to scan so I eliminate any scanning for the vast majority of negs. Scanning only 2-3% of what I shoot gives me the flexibility to devote as much time as needed to those selected ones. This is simply a carryover from my old wet darkroom workflow except I evaluate negs directly on a lightbox rather than evaluating a contact sheet.

Bob your experience is showing through and the advice sounds good

Film explorer can't answer your question but maybe a bump will help

Chris

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by Film explorer

If any member out there has direct experience with buying and using a loupe, then I would love to hear from you. I am desperate to know whether the Pentax 5.5x loupe comes with a black skirt/hood for viewing negs on the lightbox. In the product description it only mentions the transparent hood.

Get in touch with Adorama or the Pentax distributor in Au?