Thread: Viewing loupe alternative

If for some strange reason you have access to a photographic enlarger lens you likely can use it for a viewing loupe when honing. Going through some left over photographic gear I found a very old Leitz 5cm/50mm enlarger lens. Seems to work well for viewing the edge and bevel of a blade. Film enlarger lenses are very good quality giving a very nice distortion free edge to edge view.

Bob

Not being a photographer I don't really know what you are talking about. Have you got a picture?

I have no clue either but it sounds like a big lens of some kind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlarg...nlarger_en.svg

The lens just unscrews in most cases. The 35mm film enlarger lenses are about the size of a zippo lighter. I know, what's a Zippo lighter?

Bob

Originally Posted by Kees

Not being a photographer I don't really know what you are talking about. Have you got a picture?

This may help. Finally got around to getting a photo.



Bob

Hmm... somewhere in the basement I have some darkroom gear sitting in a box with at least a couple of enlarger lenses. I really need to give this a go. I bet it would be pretty easy to rig up a ring of LEDs around the rim of the lens to add some lighting...

Thanks for the idea Bob!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Hmm... somewhere in the basement I have some darkroom gear sitting in a box with at least a couple of enlarger lenses. I really need to give this a go. I bet it would be pretty easy to rig up a ring of LEDs around the rim of the lens to add some lighting...

Thanks for the idea Bob!

I imagine you could but I just use a goose neck lamp with an LED bulb for lighting.

You mentioning adding a ring of LED lights reminded me of the digital sensor viewing loupes used to check for dust on a digital camera's sensor. Haven't tried on yet but iirc they are large and may focus too close for comfort. Must find mine and give it a try too.

Bob

Actually used the old enlarger lens today when I touched up a razor on the finishing hone. I think I may use it from now on as it works as well as my other 2 actual viewing loupes.

Bob