Rollei screens - Beattie or Maxwell's?

[Assaf]

Hi there,
sorry for posting two threads at the same time, but I'm afraid this question will fade in the other thread.
I want to upgrade the screen in my Rollei (Xenotar 75/3.5 dated late 50's).
I'm looking for a screen a diagonal spit image and grid lines.
I heard about Beattie but now read in this forum about Maxwell?

What are the differences? Any recommendation?
BTW, which Beattie model will fit my camera?
Thanks
Assaf

 

[Assaf]

My camera is going to return from the local CLA soon and I want to order the screen.
Any answer would be welcome.
BTW, is the split screen in the Maxwell diagonal?

 

[aizan]

i don't think maxwell makes a diagonal split screen.

 

[BigSteveG]

I have the screen you speak of in a newly cla'd rollei-wide. It's very bright and easy to focus with. No knowledge of the Beattie. Try Harry Fleenor. He has a 3 month backlog though.

 

[BigSteveG]

You can buy the screen directly from Fleenor or have him install it for you.

 

[rich815]

I have Maxwell screens in my 2.8E Planar, 2.8C Xenotar and 3.5E3 Xenotar. I have the split-image center one in my 2.8E, the plain in the other two. Some people say they much prefer the ones without the split---the claim is they are a bit brighter towards the corners and some people complain the split ones seem to have corner "darken-out" unless you are looking directly down and centered.

I just now went and checked my 2.8C against the 2.8E. Personally I see little difference in overall brightness, perhaps even slightly brighter overall for the split-image one, but do see some slight darkening if one is not centered over the screen upon looking down with the split-image one.

Overall I find bith equally easy and wonderful to use. Have never used Beatties screens but I do remember when researching that for a couple reasons Maxwell was the way to go. BTW, Maxwell will drop ship whatever screen you order directly to your repair person so they have it for your CLA.

 

[camraluvr]

Beatie Screens

Beatie Screens

I have Beattie screens in a couple of my Rollie TLRs and also on a 4X5 camera.
The good: Warning! Don't open the hood outdoors on a bright sunny day without sunglasses. It might put your eyes out. The screen seems to "create" light. You can see what's in front of the camera even in the lowest of lighting conditions.

The Bad: It's somewhat difficult to tell the exact moment of sharp focus. Everything is so bright and clear. You never really see that moment when everything "pops" into focus.

Conclusion: I find that I often have to use the cameras focusing magnifier for critical focusing, but in low light situations where other screens might not be reveal an image, it can't be beat.

 

[Assaf]

Thanks!
I emailed Harry Fleenor but still didn't get an answer. BigSteeve - is there a backlog also for just buying a screen? Is there another place for buying these screens?
I can't wait 3 months and my local CLA will be ready in less than two weeks.

About the diagonal split screen - does it really matter if the split is diagonal or horizontal? It made sense to me that diagonal is better but I don't really have experience with that.

Camraluvr - do you know if the Maxwells "pop into focus". Does it really matter, if you have a split screen?

Other - can you tell when the Maxwell is in focus without the magnifier? My eyesight is not so good so I think I'll have to use magnifier and split screen anyway.
I need a very bright screen since I shoot a lot indoor and in low light. I think I'll use the focus aids anyway because it's difficult to me to tell focus just by looking.
So it Beattie the answer?

Thanks for your answers