Gary Farber from Hunts Video and Photo asked me if I had a Hoodman HoodLoupe when I told him I did not he said he would bring one with him to the Expo for me. We agreed that if I liked the Loupe I would write a review on it if I didn’t then I would send it back to him in the original package which we both agreed would be fair. At the end of my Nature Visions Expo I told folks that as photographers we may be asked to put our names on a product or promote a product for goods or money. You should always only promote stuff that you use and like. That is a good piece of advice that I got from my friend Arthur Morris when I was first being approached by sponsors. I follow that advice happily. I have always wanted to try a Hoodman Hood Loupe since the very first time I saw one. I thought that they might be useful. I don’t wear or need glasses but the glare from shooting at the beach can sometimes be a pain and for that reason I had considered one. A friend of mine has one and loves it. Well there isn’t much not to love. It covers the LCD screen on the back of your camera which allows for glare free viewing of your images. You turn the eyepiece just like you were adjusting your binoculars. I have heard some folks say that the loupe covers too much space on the back of their camera and hits some of the buttons. I am not seeing this as an issue for me. It comes with a neck strap and case ( I will probably never use the case). I don’t intend to bring this to Eastern State Penitentiary or Longwood Gardens or even on the Barnegat Jetty but I do intend to bring it to Florida and I plan on using it at Nickerson Beach all season long. At the end of the summer season I will be giving a more detailed evaluation of my experiences with the loupe 
. If you are having trouble seeing the back of your camera and viewing your histogram then I think that this is a good solution. It is priced at $79.99 which is kind of steep but I guess in the high price world of photography it is relative.
Product Description:
HoodLoupe 3.0™ Professional is worn around your neck just like a normal loupe. When it is time to review your shot; bring Hoodloupe up to your image and place your eye up to the eye cup for complete glare free viewing. HoodLoupe3.0 has a +/-3 diopter to accommodate those with less than perfect vision.
HoodLoupe3.0 adjusts focus just like a binocular eye piece… you turn the eye piece in or out to set for your vision. Minimal magnification is used to eliminate visual pixelization of your image. Each HoodLoupe3.0 is encased in a user friendly rubber for comfort and protection from bumps that will occur throughout your shoot. Comfortable lanyard and compact protective storage case included.
Fits up to 3.0 inch LCD screens.
Hunts Video and Photo
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______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito
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Denise, I’ve never tried one of these out, but it looks like it would come in very handy particularly in bright sun situations. Hope you are having a Happy Thanksgiving
Andrew, I had the BEST Thanksgiving! Thanks, I think this is going to be great for the beach with all the reflective light.
denise
I have been using my Hoodman loupe for two years and have found it invaluable. I shoot in MA and FL and once the sun is up the LCD screen becomes more and more difficult to see as the day goes on. When people ask me what that is around my neck I let them try it and 100% have been very impressed with how helpful it is. I know that I do not want to be without it.
Theodore, Welcome to my blog and thank you for sharing your experiences with the Loupe. I think it will be a great addition to my gear bag
denise
I have one but have never used it. I never seem to have room in my bag for the shape and I don’t feel like wearing it on my neck. I bought it after having problems seeing my photo results on a sunny day shooting waterfalls. I don’t think I have been in that kind of intense lighting since. I can certainly see the application, though. Maybe I should just keep it in my car…
Andrea, I was looking at a friends eagle images and he said that he couldn’t tell they were blown out from looking at them on the back of the camera. I suggested maybe he should get a Hoodman Loupe. He said he has one but never brings it with him…. yikes…..
denise
Denise
I have one and it is great. BUT on caveat I have had it come off of the rubber loop that connects the lanyard to the Hoodloupe. So I carry it in my pocket of my vest unless I an shooting in a stationary location.
Other than the above problem I reccmmend it
Myer
Myer, Is it a defective one or is that something that they are prone to and should be brought to the attention of the manufacturer, I will be careful when using mine and thank you for the info
denise
@Myer Bornstein
Denise
You are welcome
Myer
denise
I use this with my iPhone4 as well, just the ticket for bright days. And when I don’t have my readers with me.
Jeff, thank you for giving us all some ides. I would have never thought to use it for my phone
denise