Hoodman H-LPP3 HoodLoupe 3.0 Professional 3-Inch Screen Loupe
by Hoodman Corporation
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Our Price: $79.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $74.95 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Hoodman H-LPP3 HoodLoupe 3.0 Professional 3-Inch Screen Loupe
Customer Review: Brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very pleased with my Hoodman HoodLoupe 3.0. Yes, it is expensive but I know of no other product that does this job, much less this well. Like most people, as I get older, my eyesight is starting to get worse. Because of this I've found it very frustrating to review my photos on the fly. As a consequence I've noticed the quality of my photos was declining. Unfortunately, I don't have the intuition to setup my camera and take a masterpiece in seconds like Ansell Adams. I even tried carrying my netbook on shoots to review my pictures. As you can imagine, that was a wee bit cumbersome not to mention time consuming. I just didn't have the patience. The HoodLoupe is the perfect answer for me. The integrated adjustable Diopter eyepiece works like a charm. Plus, the workmanship and materials are excellent.
I had a little difficulty holding the loop steady when reviewing a number of photos and it would often shift. OK, so I'm not coordinated. I can live with that. The solution; glue a screen cover to the bottom of the HoodLoupe. Needless to say I practiced doing this many times before I actually applied the glue to make sure I would do it perfectly the first time.
First, make sure your plastic cover and the HoodLoupe are as clean as possible. Then very, very carefully and sparingly apply a fine line of gel super glue around the bottom of the HoodLoupe. (Don't apply it to the plastic cover whatever you do). Then take a toothpick and scrap any extra off so you don't smear any glue on the plastic screen cover. Finally, very carefully lower the plastic cover onto the HoodLoupe and gently press it with a clean cloth to make sure it seats firmly. I patiently let mine sit over night before I touched it again to make sure I didn't smear the glue.
I've used it a couple of times since and absolutely love the way it works. It's that final touch the Hoodman needed to make it perfect. As an additional benefit, it also help keeps dust out of the Hoodman!
I remove the HoodLoupe very carefully from the camera; bottom first, to make sure I don't break the plastic tabs that hold the screen cover to the camera. So far the tabs seem to hold the Hoodman to the camera very securely and appear to be pretty strong. That was my primary concern. Still, I don't think I'd want to trudge through the brush with this setup. I tied the Hoodman strap around my camera strap just in case the glue fails or it breaks off for some reason. If it does break, I can just clean the base of the Hoodman with acetone and it'll be as good as new. This seems to be a great idea but only time will tell how durable it will be.
I've posted a picture of my finished project under "Customer Images" at the top of this page. Have a look.
Customer Review: Indispensible for Video work and Great for Photography
Summary: 5 Stars
I also purchased this and the Hoodman HSLRM Cinema Straps that I mention later in this review.
The bundle comes with a sturdy zippered carrying case (not pictured). Very useful if you don't plan on having it strapped to your camera for long periods.
It's a pretty straight forward setup and fits nicely on my Canon 7D LCD screen. The rubber case is sturdy and rigid and gives me clear access to all my function buttons. The diopter lens works very well. It requires a firm turn on the dial to get the proper focus - which is a good thing. That helps minimize out of focus issues when stowing the camera or making other adjustments.
The loupe has a neck strap (also not pictured) for people who only want intermittent use to check images. If you're a dedicated Viewfinder
user, its convenient for quick check on images on your LCD.
I went straight to using the Cinema Straps (purchased separately)on mine. I've not been a big user of Live View outside of video work, but I'm adjusting to using this for photography - both shot composition and image review.
The adjustment curve is really my own as accessing/adjusting various functions in Live View are done a bit differently than when using the viewfinder. My speed on function changes isn't up to par as when I'm using the viewfinder. Again not a reflection on the loupe but me.
I have a 2x Extender I use on some L lenses. When using it with the 100-400mm there is no AF. Here's where the Hoodloupe shines, after a few manual focus tests, I was getting allot more usable shots than I would if I was using the viewfinder for manual focus.
Now where it really is exceptional is in Video use. Shooting video outdoors in Live View is problematic if you're dealing with an overhead Sun or bright lighting that glares on the LCD. The Hoodloupe is indispensable for video work and definitely worth its price for that purpose.
Customer Review: Does the job, a little pricey
Summary: 5 Stars
When Hoodman first brought out their viewers, I admit to having scoffed a bit at the idea of spending that much money to better 'chimp' my shots. That was a few years ago, but now that I've had it for a few months I can only say I was wrong. I mean, yes it is a bit expensive considering what it is (a simply optical tube mounted in a simple rubber holder) but it is extremely useful, particularly in outdoor situations.
If you set your digital camera's LCD review to blink or otherwise identify blown out highlights, for instance, then having the loupe is a necessity if you are shooting in the bright outdoors (that's what first prompted me to buy mine). When you are standing on a beach at noontime, for instance, no amount of shading the viewer or cupping your hand between your eyes and the back of the camera will really help - that's where the Hoodman really makes itself worthwhile.
I have the current 3" model, and my D200 has a smaller LCD viewing screen so the edge of the loupe does sometimes press down on the multi-way button causing the camera to display the next or previous image, but this is a minor hassle compared to not being able to see the LCD image at all. And for newer DSLRs with the larger 3" screens, this must look awesome. The good news is that, since it's not tied in any way to the camera, as I move up to the D800 or D4x or whatever, I'll still have it with me.
Customer Review: Wow! A new life for compacts and phone cameras.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been taking photographs since the late 1950s, and have failed to get used to holding compact cameras out in front of me to look at the screen. Needing bifocals as I do, the screen on the back of the camera is still hard to see, especially in bright light. Also, I can hold a camera really steadily if I hold it to my eye, but not if I'm holding it out in front of me. This penalty approximately balances out any in-camera stabilization. I've tried hard to get used to the rear screen, but have failed.
Not fun any more to take pictures except with my DSLR, which is too big and heavy for me to carry around most of the time.
I bought the Hoodman trio: the loupe, the strap, and the magnifying eyecup. They're light and they fit in a small case on my belt. My camera phone is in my top pocket, and so will my compact be when I choose it. Very casual unplanned snaps: OK, I can do without the Hoodman. Anything more serious needs maybe 20 seconds to mount the Hoodman. As good a view as an SLR, better than a superzoom. Problem solved; now taking photographs is fun again. A further advantage: when the state of the compact camera art advances, the Hoodmen will fit any new purchases.
Customer Review: Great Device
Summary: 5 Stars
At this price, I was really reluctant to spend this much on this and I waited a long time, hoping to see a price drop. But I'd lost count of the number of times, I'd be out on a shoot and wished I could see what I just shot on the LCD, especially in bright sunlight when not even shading the LCD helps. The construction is impressively high quality, the case is lightweight and exceptionally well-made as well. Better than what I expected from Hoodman (having two LCD covers break on me, I was hesitant to invest in any more Hoodman products - the total price of those two items equaling the price of the loupe). The loupe covers the LCD screen on my D80 easily, holding it between my face and LCD, I can forward the slide view with my right thumb without any problem. It does not "activate" the other buttons (you'd have to be pressing down pretty hard for that to happen). The adjustable eyepiece is great for those of us who are myopic. Altogether it's bulky, but the clip on the case is sturdy and I attach it to the camera bag strap when in use. I'm giving it 5 stars for the quality construction and usefulness. If you can get it for less, good on you! By all means, get it!