The Hoodman Loupe is an optical aid designed to allow you an excellent view of the LCD screen on the back of the camera whether you are outside in bright sun or in the studio. If you have scoffed at getting one (as I once did!), PLEASE read on!
Loupe's were a useful tool "back in the day" when we were looking at negatives and slides on a light-table. I haven't done that in years! So when I saw a Hoodman Loupe in a camera store, my first thought was that they were trying to find a viable market for an old-school product in changing times. I actually chuckled at the absurdity of the whole idea, especially at the price they were asking.
AU CONTRAIRE! I finally saw Scott Kelby talking about his, and saying PLEASE try one. I did ... and I bought it immediately! I whipped that credit card out so fast it was scorching the counter!
This marvelous tool has incredible optics. I had thought it might make the camera's LCD screen a little easier to see outdoors, but that doesn't BEGIN to describe this tool! You rotate the eyepiece to adjust it to your eyes, with a wide range of diopter strength, and it shows EVERY bit of detail your LCD can give, both the highlight and shadow areas and especially the sharpness of your focus. Even on my D3's massive and detailed LCD, it provides an awesome view of the image.
This gives such an incredible view that I use it all the time, indoors AND in the studio. It just hangs around my neck on the provided neck strap, and if the camera is in my hand, this IS around my neck. If my camera is on the tripod, this hangs on the tripod too.
It now comes in several versions for different size LCD screens, so you get the one for your camera. The "Large" model for the D3's big LCD is about $20USD more than the "standard" size, but still under $100USD. And it comes with a nice leather-style carrying case shown above. Below, is what it looks like on the back of my D3.
My D3, my 70-200VR lens, and now, my Hoodman Loupe ... my indispensible tools!
To go right to it at Amazon, click this link.
rNeil
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