Product Profile: Hoodman Screen Loupe

Check your focus and composition without eyestrain—direct sunlight be damned!

This week, we look at five accessories that can enhance your experience behind the camera.
 
Looking at a photo on an LCD monitor in bright sunlight is notoriously difficult, and Hoodman’s Professional Screen Loupe 3.0 Professional sets out to make it easier if your camera has a 3-inch LCD monitor. It fits over the monitor, and its rubber casing blocks out all extraneous light, temporarily turning your LCD into an effective electronic viewfinder.

On a bright, sunny day, the Screen Loupe can be a lifesaver. While it is specifically designed for Nikon and Canon DSLRs, I don’t see why it couldn’t be used on any camera that has a 3-inch viewfinder. In addition, because it offers moderate magnification, it is useful for checking focus as well as composition.

Hang the Loupe from your neck like a normal loupe, or simply carry it in your hand. To view, simply hold it up against the camera back, turn the diopter until the image is sharp enough for your eyes, and take a look. For an additional $20, you can get the Hoodman Cinema Strap, which holds the  Screen Loupe in place.

Here’s a quick how-to video from Hoodman that demonstrates the Screen Loupe in use.