Anybody tried this? Aftermarket Rollei Screen

[astrosecret]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolleiflex-Roll...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5cac75e8#ht_905wt_1141

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolleiflex-Roll...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5c9df66b#ht_697wt_1141

Wondering how it may stack up against the other insanely expensive aftermarket screens. i just won't pay that much for a ground glass.

 

[literiter]

I purchased the second screen you listed:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolleiflex-Roll...ultDomain_0&hash=item2c5c9df66b#ht_697wt_1141

I have it installed in my Rolleiflex Automat 3.5 and find it to be adequate. It is nowhere as bright as the screen in my Hasselblad 501CM but it is usable. I do think if I were serious about the focus screen I may investigate the Maxwell or Beattie offerings but they are a lot more money.

 

[t.s.k.]

Rick Oleson just might have what you need.
Best to contact him first to see what he has in stock.

You can also use Mamiya screens.
I'm not sure from which series (I believe from RB/RZ67) as I've not done this myself but they do have to modified a little to fit.

 

[astrosecret]

Rick Oleson just might have what you need.
Best to contact him first to see what he has in stock.

You can also use Mamiya screens.
I'm not sure from which series (I believe from RB/RZ67) as I've not done this myself but they do have to modified a little to fit.

thanks for the link. however he does not make screens for rolleis w removable hoods apparently.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Wondering how it may stack up against the other insanely expensive aftermarket screens. i just won't pay that much for a ground glass.

Expensive? Yes - in relative terms. So was the Rolleiflex in its day.
Insanely expensive? No. Maxwell screens are worth the cost.
Ground glass? No. They're a very well made precision screen that's nothing like "ground glass".
Value? If you want to put a cheap Chinese ripoff screen of unknown quality in your classic camera you have a perfect right to do so. Just don't assume that all screens are equal. All three of my Rolleiflex have Maxwell screens in them and I know how they compare to the original ones I took out!

 

[astrosecret]

well, the price of a maxwell screen is a fair percentage of the actual price i paid for the camera, so i just can't justify it.

 

[Dan Daniel]

I've used the original, an ebay seller similar to redleica1, and a Maxwell. Do a search on 'redleica1 screen' or such and you'll get a fair idea of people's experiences. Sounds good. Not a Maxwell, which is scary bright, but certainly usable?

You might also email Rick Oleson to confirm his status with removable Rollei screens. I know he recently re-stocked horizontal split screens after not having them for a bit. And he might have a recommendation for something if he still doesn't carry that size.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

well, the price of a maxwell screen is a fair percentage of the actual price i paid for the camera, so i just can't justify it.

Fair enough. Only you can make that decision. Just remember you usually get what you pay for and a $30 screen isn't going to be the equal of a $130 screen.

My justification is that although I use the Rollei's and they're not 'mint' they are nevertheless in excellent condition and an investment that I don't expect to go down in value. I enjoy using them and having a good screen enhances that enjoyment - so why not experience that while I'm using them? If I ever sell them I'll get my money back, plus some I expect.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

You might glean some more opinions from the APUG forum. Try <http://www.apug.org/forums/forum51/70851-rolleiflex-focusing-screen.html>

 

[MC JC86]

well, the price of a maxwell screen is a fair percentage of the actual price i paid for the camera, so i just can't justify it.

The Maxwell screens are worth it. If you didn't pay that much for the Rolleiflex, all the more reason to invest more into making it the best camera it can be rather than putting sub-par parts into what could be an awesome shooter.

If you just can't afford it though (something I am all too familiar with) and have a workable screen, wait until you can.

 

[astrosecret]

Thanks guys. I am using the original screen on an E2 model, which i understand has an updated screen as well as a split focus, but like some posters here i have trouble in both low light and bright sunlight. perhaps i will save my spare change and go for a maxwell screen. thanks for all your help guys

 

[archeophoto]

While I certainly agree that a Maxwell screen is is very nice and worth the money (I have one in my Vb), I would like to stress that you can take just as good a photo with a cheaper screen. I have a 'Cord Va with one of those "sub-par" parts, and the photos are just as good as the ones that come out of the Vb.
And the photos are what count (at least for me) and not how expensive your focusing screen is.
What does make a difference, though, is if your shutter times are on and if your lens is cloudy. I would rather invest the money in a CLA with Paul Ebel.

The Maxwell screens are worth it. If you didn't pay that much for the Rolleiflex, all the more reason to invest more into making it the best camera it can be rather than putting sub-par parts into what could be an awesome shooter.

If you just can't afford it though (something I am all too familiar with) and have a workable screen, wait until you can.

 

[f16sunshine]

If you are a casual Rollei user.. as in one or two rolls a month than I advise getting a screen from Rick Oleson. It will be brighter in the corners. Comparable to a Yashicamat screen.
If however the Rollei is your main squeeze then the Maxwell is the screen to have. Earlier this year I ordered a pair for my D's . The speed and accuracy of my shooting has gone up dramatically. It's well worth it. I understand the feeling of not wanting to spend $170 on screen for a camera you purchased for $150, $200, even $400. The fact is though the price and value of the screen when and if you go to sell will come back to you and help sell the camera more quickly as well. Bill is a really great guy to talk with as well. He'll make sure you are purchasing something towards results desired.

 

[MC JC86]

While I certainly agree that a Maxwell screen is is very nice and worth the money (I have one in my Vb), I would like to stress that you can take just as good a photo with a cheaper screen. I have a 'Cord Va with one of those "sub-par" parts, and the photos are just as good as the ones that come out of the Vb.
And the photos are what count (at least for me) and not how expensive your focusing screen is.
What does make a difference, though, is if your shutter times are on and if your lens is cloudy. I would rather invest the money in a CLA with Paul Ebel.

Quite true... of course, one is more likely to take pictures that matter if they can compose/focus well.

I've had my Rolleiflex overhauled and it's definitely a very important measure for a lot of TLRs out there despite their overall reliability/longevity.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

If anyone is considering one of those screens from REDLEICA on eBay, I would strongly advise getting one from Rick Oleson instead. I have both and Rick's are FAR superior in every way.
Rick's screens are better because:
1. They have grid lines you can customize
2. They are definitely brighter and easier to focus.
3. They're usually just as cheap--or cheaper--than the eBay screens.
4. Rick provides handy instructions on how to mount your screen. REDLEICA doesn't supply anything other than the screen.
5. Rick is a real nice guy.

I ended up replacing the replacement screen I got from REDLEICA with one of Rick's screens and am much happier.

Joe

 

[PMCC]

Don't know about RedLeica, but I second Rick and his screens. A really helpful guy, and although he is the first to say that the brightness of his screens is not quite up to Maxwell/Beattie standards, they only cost 1/5th - 1/6th the price and are noticeably brighter than the old dim screens. Haven't checked, but seems to me that current Maxwells and Beattie prices are in the $200 ball park -- yikes, that's the price of an Automat or Rolleicord. But I believe Rick can no longer source the larger screens for the removable hood Rolleis. Anyway, it's the early, fixed hood models that benefit the most from a screen upgrade.