hans voralberg
Veteran
Inspired by the Hassy thread of Keith, I went out and tried some 6x6s, the Bronica SQAi and Hassy 501CM and 503CW, well the Bronica viewfinder is horribly dim. The Hassy is brighter, by ~30-40% but by the time I pop out the magnifier it is marginally enjoyable.
So the question is, is there any 6x6s out there that have even brighter viewfinder by default? I do know the Beatie InteScreen is available for both but they are rare and hard to get where I am now, in Vietnam.
So the question is, is there any 6x6s out there that have even brighter viewfinder by default? I do know the Beatie InteScreen is available for both but they are rare and hard to get where I am now, in Vietnam.
kully
Happy Snapper
If you're not averse to TLRs - how about a Rollei with a Maxwell screen?
Matus
Well-known
I have a Rolleiflex T I got from the evilBay. Based on what I have rad about the rather dim focusing screen that camera "should" have - I was quite pleasantly surprised by the brightness of the image - quite probably somebody before me has changed the screen (it seems to be plastic now - and it was mounted inverse upside down). So I am perfectly happy as I would be reluctant to spend nearly the same amount just for the screen as I payed for the camera.
ishpop
tall person
the 501CM is not bright enough for you?
hans voralberg
Veteran
Enough, but strangely not as bright as my Bronica ETRSi. And with the loupe used it get dimmer, as I said, just about enjoyable. Certainly is good enough but I wonder if there is anything better out there.
ReeRay
Well-known
The standard Hassy sceen is pretty dim. Try the Hassy with an Acute Matte D screen. I have these in both my 500CM and 500 EL/M - more than bright enough.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Happily the 500CM body I just bought from an RFFer has this screen fitted ... apparently it makes a big difference!
ReeRay
Well-known
I would hazard a guess at something around 50% brighter - maybe more.
Just make sure it's fitted properly or focusing will be adrift
i.e. the "D" should be at your lower right hand side as you look in the VF.
Just make sure it's fitted properly or focusing will be adrift
i.e. the "D" should be at your lower right hand side as you look in the VF.
Spoks
Well-known
Hasselblad's new H-series cameras are regarded as having the brightest viewfinder in the business. Even better than Canon's 1Ds-series. I have tried a H- camera at one point and found the viewfinder much better than my 501C/M with Accute Matte screen. Simply awesome.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Get a Voigtlander Brilliant TLR, they're not called that for no reason!
Occasionally I wonder if its got batteries to illuminate the viewfinder even more
, seems the image seen in the viewfinder actually is brighter than the real thing sometimes.
Occasionally I wonder if its got batteries to illuminate the viewfinder even more
, seems the image seen in the viewfinder actually is brighter than the real thing sometimes.
aizan
Veteran
rollei 6000 series with a high d screen. just beautiful.
hassy h-series is also very large and bright, though it has a green cast for some reason.
hassy h-series is also very large and bright, though it has a green cast for some reason.
ChrisN
Striving
The standard screen in the Mamiya C330f (TLR) is considerably brighter than the standard screen in the Hasselblad 500c/m. I bought the C330f for very little more than I would have had to pay for an Acute Mat D screen for the Hassy.
hans voralberg
Veteran
I'm looking into the C330f as well, how much did you get if for? Keh price is rather steep for mint example, but I'm hesitate to get a BGN fearing the screen might be dusty/scratched. Anyone want to sell me one at an affordable price?
ChrisN
Striving
I was fortunate in that I was offered a very good price, by another member here who is also local to where I live. I paid AU$300 for mine, which is in Keh EX condition with 80mm/2.8 lens and the standard waist-level finder. I'm undecided at this stage which system to stay with - both have their advantages but the wide lenses for the Mamiya are considerably less expensive than the Hasselblad lenses. In some ways I'm a little more comfortable with the balance of the Hassy.
Svitantti
Well-known
New series Acute Matte screen (I guess it is D) with a spilt is great...
Acutes are not that great to focus from the plain matte. Dimmer screens might have better contrast... So I would get the split version of the Acute. You will notice the difference between original Hassy screen and the Acute!
Acutes are not that great to focus from the plain matte. Dimmer screens might have better contrast... So I would get the split version of the Acute. You will notice the difference between original Hassy screen and the Acute!
Krosya
Konicaze
Speaking of brightness of the screens - while nice bright screen is great, it doesnt automatically mean its easier to focus. I've had some cameras that had pretty bright screen, yet it was harder to focus than some dimmer ones. It's always nice to try in person, if possible.
AgentX
Well-known
KEH grades very conservatively in my experience, and you could probably email them if you have specific questions about the screen. FYI, you can remove a C330 screen by actuating a small lever/tab. then clean the mirror and screen underside. Likewise, you could easily swap it for another screen if necessary. KEH may have some screens listed alone in Ex+ or better condition, if that's your only concern about the camera's condition. I myself have no hesitations buying user equipment in BGN from KEH.
As to the OP's question, a lot of the finder brightness depends on the lens being used, obviously, and MF lenses are usually slowish...perhaps a Hassy focal-plane shutter camera with wide-aperture lenses and a beattie/Maxwell/Acute Matte/other bright screen might be the way to go?
ChrisN
Striving
Just checked mine, and the (soft plastic) focusing screen, which is interchangable with several optional screens, is protected by a thin glass sheet. I think it is pretty unlikely the screen would be damaged in the camera. KEH BGN grade would most likely have cosmetic damage such as paint loss or scratches. And with their returns policy you have time to check the camera thoroughly.
newspaperguy
Well-known
No joke - find a post-war (WWII) Kodak Reflex II and you will be blown away by the brightness of this screen. Great lens too... unfortunately, it uses 620 film, but hey... it is a 6X6.
hans voralberg
Veteran
Yeah I bought from Keh quite a few time before, mostly lens in BGN condition in fact. I do own a Mamiyaflex C2 and quite like the system, so I'd seriously look into the C330. I shoot indoor alot so to me the brighter the better if you wonder why I'm so hell-bent on it.
On a side note, I've just been offered a like new Bronica SQAi with 80mm and 120 back for $450. That's not a bad price I think, does anyone know if Maxwell still make screen for the Bronica? I fired him an email already but no reply yet.
Thanks for all the advice so far guys!!
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