Re: [Largeformat] Large Format requires large hoods?

["Pete Caluori" <pcaluori@hotmail.com>]

>From: "Don Feinberg" <donf@cybernex.net>
>Reply-To: Largeformat@egroups.com
>To: <Largeformat@egroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [Largeformat] Large Format requires large hoods?
>Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2000 20:40:12 -0400
>
> > I have looked at the overwhelming 4 or 5 choices in focussing hoods that
>are
> > around and I really cannot see the need for one at all.
>
>The reason is very simple, for me.
>
>I simply cannot see the ground glass!  That is to say, under the focus
>cloth, at a distance close enough to the ground glass to see details, I
>simply cannot see the image.  I cannot even do a coarse focusing of the
>image. My 54-year-old eyes simply will not do that.  20 years ago, yes.  
>But
>today, no.  It means I must use a device which puts a virtual image farther
>away from me:  either a luope or a viewing hood.
>
>Now, I can use a loupe and see small sections of the image.  But there is
>simply no way for me to compose a complete image without the use of the
>viewer I built.  I would simply have to trash the camera....
>
>If that means to you that
>
> >The inverted image on the ground glass is the best analytical tool of 
>image
> >composition since it steers you well away from the point and shoot habit
> >that has developed lately.  That inverted WYSIWYG image keeps your
> >head  clear from all cliches and indoctrinations your brain has gotten so
> >overly  accustomed to, and will help you become a much more critical
> >artist of your  own self.
>
>I think I see.  You intend to say that the work I do with my 6x6 slr is
>somehow artistically invalid?
>
>Don Feinberg
>donf@cybernex.net
>

Greetings,

Since I'm the guy who first mentioned the reflex viewer in this thread, 
allow me to add a few more comments.  A reflex viewer is not for everyone, 
or every circumstance.  It is also not meant to turn a view camera into a 
35mm camera.  Consider the intended use and possible benefit.  It boils down 
to using the correct tool for the job.


I recommended one, because I frequently shoot in the mountains at altitude, 
in all types of weather.  The amount of light at 14,000 feet on a bright 
sunny day with snow on the ground is incredible! There's a reason why 
mountain climbers wear very dense glacier glasses.  Using anything but the 
most opaque dark cloth, completely sealed at the bottom, around the camera 
and around your head makes focusing on the ground glass nearly impossible. 
IMHO, the reflex viewer is worth every penny in this application.  In a 
studio setting, I really don't see the benefit for using a reflex viewer.

If you are having difficulty seeing the image on the ground glass, or having 
difficulty with your eyes focusing that closely, a reflex viewer may be the 
thing for you.  You can focus entirely by using the reflex viewer, or you 
can remove it and use a loupe for extremely critical focusing situations.  
In the field, I do 90% of my focusing completely with the viewer.  There are 
a number of viewers sold, some are straight (that is you look squarely into 
the ground glass) while others have a 45 or 90 degree offset.  The one I use 
has a 90 degree offset and is made by Cambo (sold and distributed by Calumet 
Photographic.)  There is one additional benefit from using an offset viewer: 
in my case I can use it comfortably without extending the tripod very far.  
This means the camera is 2 to 3 feet off the ground and gives me a more 
stable platform for shooting when there's wind.

I had considered a BosScreen, but a comment in View Camera Magazine (I 
believe) made me re-think this one.  As someone mentioned, the BosScreen is 
a thin layer of parafin sandwiched between two plates of glass.  Leave that 
in a parked car in the sun and you'll have melted wax.

Good luck!

Regards,  Pete