Brighter Screen--Harder Focusing?

[Ikontafan]

I have a 3.5 Rollei at Harry Fleenor's for an overhaul. I am considering having him also install a bright screen, but I've heard that this will make it harder to focus at times. Could I please get some feedback from members about the pros and cons of bright focusing screens? Thanks! --RB

 

[Solinar]

A bright screen is usually a fresnel lens versus the older Rollei ground glass.

It may not be your cup of tea, but a well calibrated focusing screen with a center rangefinder prism will most definitely make it easy to focus.

The downside is that you'll want to flip the magnifier into position when using the center split prism. Mine is a bit fiddly on my camera.

 

[FrankS]

Along with increased brightness of upgraded screens seems to come decreased contrast. I made the switch on my 3.5E and I'm glad I did, but one can easily live with Rollei sceens beginning with the 3.5E vintage. Screens on older Rolleis are simply too dark and an upgrade is very worthwhile. When I installed a replacement screen in my 3.5E, I transfered its original screen into an old Rolleicord, and improved both cameras.

 

[Ikontafan]

Last summer, I bought a Rolliecord Vb from Harry, and had him put in a #2 Maxwell screen. It is great, and currently I have another Rolleicord and a Rolleiflex there, each for overhauls and #2 screens. As I understand it, the #2 screen is better when wearing glasses, as I do. Yesterday, I was photographing inside a dark, burnt house, in the early morning, with heavy overcast. I measured EV 3, and I was exposing at f/8 for up to 45 seconds, with TMAX 400 at EI 800. I could focus just fine with my Rolliecord. The negatives appear to have good density.

If I had the old screen, as came in my 1956 Rolleiflex, I would have had to resort to using a tape measure [or floodlights] to set the focus.

The Maxwell screen is much brighter in the corners, too. Excellent things. Larry in Kingston, Ont.

Thanks, Larry That is an amazing diference! Your illustration is very convincing. I also wear glasses, and focusing can really get problematical. Sounds like a new screen would have more upside benefits than not. I'll check with Harry F. and probably go for it! Thanks, again to all who responded. This is really a fine forum. Best Regards---RB

 

[Ikontafan]

Along with increased brightness of upgraded screens seems to come decreased contrast. I made the switch on my 3.5E and I'm glad I did, but one can easily live with Rollei sceens beginning with the 3.5E vintage. Screens on older Rolleis are simply too dark and an upgrade is very worthwhile. When I installed a replacement screen in my 3.5E, I transfered its original screen into an old Rolleicord, and improved both cameras.

Thanks, Frank. I've been wondering about the trade-off factors. I think mine is one of the dark ones, or is really dirty. Regards--RB

 

[Ikontafan]

A bright screen is usually a fresnel lens versus the older Rollei ground glass.

It may not be your cup of tea, but a well calibrated focusing screen with a center rangefinder prism will most definitely make it easy to focus.

The downside is that you'll want to flip the magnifier into position when using the center split prism. Mine is a bit fiddly on my camera.

Thanks, Andrew. Is the split sceen the #2 mentioned in Larry's reply? RB

 

[GoodPhotos]

I needed a brighter screen on my MX-EVS and while looking at Maxwells and Brightscreen I found this page:
http://www.panum.de/rolleiflex_screen.htm

Thought it would be a bit difficult, but with a bit of encouragement from Mark James Small's Rollei list I got an RB67 'No. 3 Rangefinder Spot Screen' from a friend for free for helping him with PC stuff.

Took it out of it's frame. Took the hood off my Rollei. Removed the old screen (once I figured out how the spring clips work.) Cleaned the mirror while I had easy access to it. Placed the old screen on the new screen on a hobby cutting mat. Scored it with a sharp hobby knife. Snapped it to size with flat bladed hobby pliers. (luckily my wife has all of these hobbies that require this stuff!) I sanded the edges of the new screen with super fine grit sandpaper. Cleaned the fingerprints and oils off. Placed it in the hood assembly and put the spring clip back on. Replaced the hood and now have a MUCH brighter Rolleiflex.

I've lost the 'grid' that was on the original and I DID scratch the screen just a little on the edge when I was trying to score it, but it is hardly noticeable and So much brighter, I don't care. The split in the center and the micro collar make fine focusing much easier and the corners are far brighter.