I bought a high quality photographic loupe a few weeks ago in the
Pentax 5.5x Loupe. Not that I need one for it's designated purpose of examining negatives (I don't have a film camera, anymore). Rather, I bought it to do a little close-up digiscoping. It's large lens diameter (49mm), generous eye-relief and quality optics makes it ideal for this work and with its clear, transparent stand, it transmits enough light to the specimen for a photo.
What specimen, you say? I've doing spiders and insects, mostly, but also small flower parts and rock specimens. I just trap the specimen under the loupe, hold my
Pentax Optio camera over the top and fire away. With the 5.5x on the loupe and 3x optical on the camera, I get some nice pics, since both lenses are of good quality. When I am done, I just lift the loupe and my subject goes on its merry way.
The
Pentax 5.5, 60051 also makes a nice text reader or toy for general fun. On my coffee table, it also makes a good conversation piece - especially when I find a spider.