X-Loupe gives your Canon IXUS microscopic powers

Just like in 5th grade, some things are still pretty dang interesting when looked at up close. X-Loupe can help you in your quest of dang interesting stuff, by snapping onto a Canon IXUS camera (Digital ELPH in the States) and providing microscope-style 150x 5 megapixel photography. The unit has its own battery and LED lens ring, which should provide around 4 hours of magnification fun, and doesn't impede any of the usual IXUS features like preview, video recording or TV connectivity. X-Loupe can be obtained from the company of the same name for around $1450, and comes with a trio of lenses (60x, 100x and 150x) along with a Canon IXUS 65 camera to round out the package.

[Via gizmag]

[LukeA @ Aug 7th 2006 10:19AM]

I guess you'd need a tripod for 150x photography.

[Jason @ Aug 7th 2006 10:35AM]

Good grief that's pricey. Why this particular camera choice?

[pipper @ Aug 7th 2006 10:51AM]

Without Tripod and remote trigger, this is pretty much useless as the image will be burr.

As an alternative, a powerful back-lited microscope with camera attachment option can be had for less then 300 bucks

[the.only.id.left @ Aug 7th 2006 11:07AM]

wouldn't it make more sense to chose a camera with a higher ISO sensitivity rating like the fujifilm F30 as that would minimise blur (although i suppose at 150x magnification, that wouldn't make much difference)

[craig @ Aug 7th 2006 11:37AM]

Need to use a tripod? Even with a tripod you get some movement, not noticeable in a normal picture at say 5x optical zoom, but a 150x? You'll need to self timer and probably leave the room!

[Chris H. @ Aug 7th 2006 11:46AM]

While high ISO would be nice, using this on a camera with OIS such as the SD700 IS is probably best. Also, Canon cameras are much more popular than Fujis, so that probably factored into the decision of which camera to fit it to.

[Larry The Cable Guy @ Aug 7th 2006 11:54AM]

Nothing new, I can do the same with Microsoft's Paint Program - HAHA, no need to spend money to see a macro picture.

[Rob @ Aug 7th 2006 12:01PM]

At first I thought "cool, I have an IXUS!" Then I saw the price... Never mind.

[Aphaits @ Aug 7th 2006 12:15PM]

ditto, Rob

[Nick @ Aug 7th 2006 12:22PM]

Seems like you can buy a decent DSLR and a long Macro lens for the same price.

[SilentGuy @ Aug 7th 2006 3:05PM]

I agree with pipper... Usage without tripod and trigger would seem close to impossible and a good microscope often would also do the trick.

[Shadyman @ Aug 7th 2006 5:59PM]

"Digital ELPH in the States"... point of interest, they're also Digital ELPHs in Canada too, eh?

[x23 @ Aug 7th 2006 9:29PM]

""Digital ELPH in the States"... point of interest, they're also Digital ELPHs in Canada too, eh?"



no they are Digital Ehhhlphs there.

[Jason @ Aug 8th 2006 9:59AM]

The camera choice is not ideal, and the product itself is extremely overpriced from what I can tell. If you want good macro optics for non-SLR cameras you're probably far better off going with the Raynox addon lenses. The photos become especially magnified when combined with a high-power telephoto lens like the one on the Canon S3IS. They cost about $50 per lens and have very good optical quality.

[Equinoctium @ Aug 8th 2006 1:41PM]

@Larry The Cable Guy: I think you're missing the point here. A normal macro picture would have a magnification of about 1x. We're talking microscopic pics here! There is no way you can blow up your photo 150x using Paint and at the same time keep visible details.

[Rich @ Aug 16th 2006 5:58AM]

Agree with Equinoctium. I work in a semiconductor company and we use X-Loupe to scrutinize the quality of chips. X-Loupe functions like a mobile microscope while working, and becomes a regular digital camera on the weekend. X-Loupe is used for taking microscopic pictures with visible details, so Paint software will not be able to do this by just magnifying pixels 150X.

[roberto iza @ Sep 11th 2007 11:05AM]

Just what I need, but what a price tag!