Over the years, I’ve amassed a collection of loupes, starting back in my commercial photography school days when the 4×5 camera reigned supreme, and ad creation was the daily grind. If photography could be distilled into one superpower, it would be the ability to see. And I adore looking—at colors, textures, shapes, you name it. Sometimes, I even indulge in a bit of eye meditation and let my focus blur—it’s like letting my mind wander, just me and the soft edges hanging out.

This article celebrates the loupes in my toolbox, those unsung heroes of precision. I couldn’t imagine tackling my work without them. As the years passed, much like my reading glasses evolved into bifocals, I figured my trusty old loupe deserved an upgrade, too. So, let’s dive into the story of the loupes that have sharpened my vision and my craft and see what the new addition is.

From the early days with a toy-like plastic loupe that was more gimmick than gadget, my youthful eyes didn’t require much magnification to inspect the ground glass or to admire transparencies on a lightbox. As I ventured deeper into the world of commercial photography, I upgraded to the Toyo 3.6x Ground Glass Focusing Magnifier—a name that sounds more prestigious than “loupe,” and with a neck so long it could rival a giraffe’s (well, not really). Over the years, I’ve cycled through more Toyo loupes than I can count, and it has been a steadfast companion in my commercial endeavors.

Then there’s the Schneider 8x loupe, a powerful magnifier that isn’t my daily driver but becomes my trusted ally when wrestling with the tricky optics of wide-angle lenses. Everything seems sharp until you hone in on a critical area with the 8x and discover it’s as soft as overcooked noodles (yuck). A quick adjustment with the 8x, and suddenly, everything snaps into focus. However, wielding this magnifying powerhouse for too long can lead to eye strain—akin to deciphering the fine print in an insurance policy all day (oh, my aching eyes!).

The Ebony 3.5x loupe entered my toolkit with my first Ebony camera. This absolute treasure not only magnifies but also hangs proudly around my neck, nestled in a chic leather case. It’s become indispensable as the tiny numbers on my lenses seem to shrink with each passing year. Even though Ebony Camera ceased operations in 2016, I’ve found similar loupes on eBay under the listing “LEAF HAND LOUPE WITH RUBBER COVER (3.5X).”

The new addition is the Chamonix 5x loupe/focusing aid. I received it faster than a parcel could make it from Florida to Philly (this, I know). This lightweight tool is crafted from sleek carbon fiber, sports an attractive red lanyard, and boosts my view with a surprising brightness and an expansive viewing area compared to the Toyo. Plus, the included diopter spacer meshes well with my vision, sealing the deal. Using the Chamonix 5x is akin to upgrading from an old tube TV to high-definition—a stark and delightful enhancement for my vision.

Now, the Toyo serves as my backup, the Schneider 8x continues to manage wide-angle challenges, and the Ebony remains my go-to for deciphering those increasingly elusive lens markings. The Chamonix 5x loupe has upgraded the quality of my viewing power on the ground glass, and for that reason, I can recommend it. It is not cheap, but you will save a lot of money if you purchase it straight from Chamonix and not vendors selling it on eBay. I paid US $170, which included express shipping from China, while a USA eBay seller is currently selling them for $275 plus $15 shipping (wow!).

I hope you found this peek into my loupe toolbox informative and illuminating. Happy focusing!