Optimal focusing screen for Rolleiflex GX?

[Alex Krasotkin]

Guys,

I plan to change my plain bright focusing screen on my Rolleiflex GX for Rollei HD Super Bright split image version, since I had unstable results at f/2.8-4. Can anyone share your experience with this screen with focusing at f/2.8-4. Was the focus spot on in 100% cases wide open? I use Rollei with 45 degree prism.

regards,
Alex

 

[Vickko]

I'd be curious to read the replies. I have a 2.8F, with a central split and fresnel around the rest of the screen. I find focusing and chasing my young son difficult because the split area is all sharp so all appears focused, and the fresnel a bit dim, but at least shows focus transition.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Vick, many thanks forn your comment. As I understand, split works like normal rangefinder, therefore why should it be hard to focus - just coupling split image.....?

 

[Vickko]

It is hard to use because my young son moves too much, and the circle of the split area is always in sharp focus, creating an illusion that it is in focus, when it is not.

Otherwise, the split image is great for confirming focus, where a microprism field causes me to hunt until I converge on focus.

 

[thegman]

I have a Rick Oleson split screen on my GX, it works a lot better than the stock screen, whether it's 100% accurate at close distances is another matter. I experienced a little back focus on focusing about 4 feet away, at f/2.8. However, put that into a DOF calculator, and I think it could just as easily have been my own error, not the camera, there is not much room for mistakes, that close, that wide open, on 6x6 film.

I don't find a split as easy as a "real" range finder, but it's pretty nice.