Screen and strap options for my new rolleiflex

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swmlon

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I have recently taken the plunge an bought my first medium format camera, a Rolleiflex 3.5F which I got for a decent price. I'll soon be replacing the focusing screen, but I'm divided between a DIY conversion using the Mamiya RB/RZ67 screen or spashing out for a Bosscreen or Maxwell. Are either of these options significantly better than the RB/RZ67 option to be worth the significant price increase?

Also, the strap that had come with the camera was an old leather rolleiflex number, which promptly snapped soon after use, for which thanks to my fast reflexes I was able to grab the camera before it hit the deck. What good, secure and inexpensive options are worth considering, and how do you fit it to the camera as it seems to have an odd attachment setup compared to other cameras.
 
For what it's worth, I replaced the screen on my 3.5E with a Maxwell screen. It's much brighter, and you can focus in low light (using the magnifier) but it has much less focusing 'snap' than the original screen. I find I need to focus using the magnifier to ensure focus as it's not always clear when focus has snapped in or not without it. Focusing in bright light was easier with the old screen.

The Maxwell is unquestionably brighter, and a pleasure to compose on, but it's also (for me anyway) more prone to reflecting stray light so I need to shade the finder more.

So, there are definite gains to the Maxwell [or I presume the Beattie, which I guess is similar] but also downsides.

Matt
 
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-216.html

Not a Maxwell but they are EXCELLENT nonetheless and this, only for $60.

The Mamiya RB67/RZ67 screens have some thinner Fresnel rings but Rick's screens are more "punchy" (probably a slight bit more brighter) and less prone to surface reflections than the Mamiya ones.

The Beattie screens work thanks to a microlenses pattern so the focusing image is very bright but quite impossile to focus (same problem as the Hasselblad Accute Matte 1st generation screens).

As a matter of fact if you go for the Mamiya RB67/RZ67 screen, be sure to use an "A" regular Fresnel matte model (there are some microlenses screens in their range, I was fooled once, of course the viewing image was sooooo bright but it was impossible to focus even with the lupe because everything always seemed sharp).

The main advantage of Rick's screens over the Mamiya material - besides the DIY downcutting work, but this is trivial if you're not all thumbs - is within the grids patterns choice... the #6603 is just terrific.

As for the strap any good classic nylon flat woven strap will work. It may take a little effort to push the strap through the camera strap lugs because of the pin for the "scissors" original strap clips, but you attach the strap to the camera the way you do it with a DSLR's flat strap lugs and at the end of the day it just works perfect. No need to invest in any specially designed strap.

I have been using a good ol' Nikon AN-4B strap on my Rolleiflex 3.5F for decades.

What is mandatory is to doublecheck that the four screws which hold the strap lugs bars on the camera aren't beginning to unscrew.
 
Rick Oleson also does replacement screens for the Rolleiflex with a split image.

Ronnie

[Beaten to it !]
 
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I only have experience w/the Maxwell screens, so can't compare w/converted Mamiya, Beattie, etc. However, given the importance of focusing, I certainly feel that new screens are worth the expense. I agree w/matt_mcg2's caveats re: the Maxwells, but I shoot in a lot of low(er) light environments, so increased brightness was essential for me.

As far as straps, you can have a local leather shop make a new leather or fabric strap made using your old alligator/scissor connectors (pricier alternative is to get a new Luigi Rolleiflex strap). For a more modern option, I use Op/Tech straps w/Uni-Loop connectors (example, here: http://www.adorama.com/OTSC9.html--the ends easily squeeze through the Rolleiflex lugs).

swmlon said:
I have recently taken the plunge an bought my first medium format camera, a Rolleiflex 3.5F which I got for a decent price. I'll soon be replacing the focusing screen, but I'm divided between a DIY conversion using the Mamiya RB/RZ67 screen or spashing out for a Bosscreen or Maxwell. Are either of these options significantly better than the RB/RZ67 option to be worth the significant price increase?

Also, the strap that had come with the camera was an old leather rolleiflex number, which promptly snapped soon after use, for which thanks to my fast reflexes I was able to grab the camera before it hit the deck. What good, secure and inexpensive options are worth considering, and how do you fit it to the camera as it seems to have an odd attachment setup compared to other cameras.
Click to expand...
 
I found the stock screen on my 3.5F plenty bright and good snap for focusing, plus the split-image for either confirmation or low light focusing. I compare it against modern SLR and Mamiya C330S, and it is quite comparable.

I use the same Op/Tech Pro Loop strap that Furcafe suggested, which gives more cushion and grip on your shoulder than a thin leather strap.
 
I use a Maxwell on my 3.5F and agree with what already has been mentioned.

I bought a used thin retro Nikon strap from B&H for $2.00 and used a soldering iron to burn holes through the nylon so that I could pop-rivit it to the original Rollei "scissor strap."

Cal
 
For the strap on my 3.5F, I used a Domke Gripper strap and attached it to the alligator clips with a sort of rivet purchased at a fabric store along with the tool for popping them in. worked great!
 
Vics said:
For the strap on my 3.5F, I used a Domke Gripper strap and attached it to the alligator clips with a sort of rivet purchased at a fabric store along with the tool for popping them in. worked great!
Click to expand...

I did this too.

As for screens, while most people would agree Maxwell screens are the best, they aren't -that- much better than your average modern screens, and all of them will be much much brighter than the original ground glass screens.

But of course, a small difference to one person is a world of difference to another, so you really should see if you can try one out for yourself before buying.
My favourite screens are the Hasselblad Acute Matte D screens (again, personal preference), but they won't fit in a Rolleiflex unfortunately.

The RB67 screens are fine for most purposes, though, and if it's too much hassle Rick Oleson's screens are superb for the price.

Mind you, you might find yourself missing the original ground glass screen. No other screen pops into focus quite the same, even if the dark corners make composition a pain.
 
I use a Domke Gripper strap on my Rolleis, the strap is thin enough to get threaded thru the lugs on the Rollei just fine.
 
aperture64 said:
I upgraded to the Maxwell too, but not have had all of these issues. I think the image snaps into focus, compared to the old screen where I really wasn't sure unless it was bright sunlight. The Maxwell screen has been an improvement for me in bright or low light and it is illuminated evenly and just not in the center, like the old screen. It's been a huge upgrade for me and I would never go back.
Click to expand...



This is also my take on the Maxwell. I find looking into the viewfinder of my 3.5F almost a religious experience. The screen is not only very bright, but there is a 'pop' for lack of a better word that makes determining focus very easy. There is a 3D effect.

I have not used other screens so can't compare to other alternatives.

This video I took is quick and dirty, but it might be of help.

https://vimeo.com/46391099
 
The same for me with Maxwell screen and my 3.5F. Is a joy to use now, the original screen was a little dim. Money well spent.
 
Shutterspark said:
(...)and all of them will be much much brighter than the original ground glass screens.

(...)Mind you, you might find yourself missing the original ground glass screen. No other screen pops into focus quite the same, even if the dark corners make composition a pain.
Click to expand...

The Rolleiflex 3.5F weren't originally fitted with the ground glass screens which were on the previous Rolleiflex models, and which were the dimmest focusing screens you could find on some high-end TLRs.

The original 3.5F screen is a plastic one-piece screen much improved over the old ground glass screen and it's a very capable screen, almost as bright as the Mamiya RB67 one. Plus, they often have a split image device and a grid altogether - nice.

Actually the trick is that most of the time, the upper side of this screen has been scratched by the previous users (a legend tells that press photogs used to clean it with their tie) and this is it which makes the screen dimmer and blurry.

The upper side of the screen is just a flat bright plastic with no Fresnel, no grid and no split-image device (all of those are molded into the lower side of the screen) so it can be polished out with Miror then carefully cleaned under tap water and dried with a microfiber cloth after rinsing.

While the lower side of the screen is then cleaned under tap water too, with soft dishwashing soap and your fingers (no brush whatsoever !).

The before/after difference is often spectacular and in case the lower side of the screen is still clean and unmarked you then get a very clean and bright enough screen which you might not need to replace.
 
Highway 61 said:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-216.html

Not a Maxwell but they are EXCELLENT nonetheless and this, only for $60.
Click to expand...

That, and Rick is wonderful to deal with. He was kind enough to make me a custom Yashica-Mat 124G screen with a golden ratio grid.

His screen is good, the split image helps if I have time to use it, but the Matte is a bit less snappy than the original Yashica one. No idea of the Rolleiflex Matte, but from what I read it is a bit inferior to the Yashica one, so the Oleson screen should be an upgrade :)

so, a big thumbs up for Rick and his cheap but pretty decent screens!
 
thegman said:
Barton 1972 do a nice Rolleiflex strap:

http://www.barton1972.com/catalog/product_list.php?cPath=1_7

Don't know about screens, but I think if it was me, I'd get a Maxwell. I found my Rollei very dim, and I'd be willing to pay for the best possible improvement.
Click to expand...
I just ordered the Barton 1972 strap, hope it will work nicely.
As for the screen, I took the original out, cleaned it and put it back on. I love the 3D pop and I don't use my 'Cord in low light anyway. :p
 
Highway 61 said:
This thread is about replacing the screen on a 3.5F.

Let's not confuse the OP with discussions about previous Rolleiflex models screens...
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Why would he be confused? The guy seems to be pretty sharp, and he can realize that the conversation is about screens. I'm merely suggesting the Maxwell screen as a reasonable choice.

I've tried the Mamiya screens and quite frankly aside from the cost advantage they aren't worth the bother.
 
literiter said:
I've tried the Mamiya screens and quite frankly aside from the cost advantage they aren't worth the bother.
Click to expand...
This is more on topic than your previous post, which was comparing the old Rolleiflex screen, which is very dimmer than the screen originally mounted on the 3.5F, and the Maxwell screen, which is the best screen out there, but the more expensive one.

To each is own - I have two Rolleiflex F models, both are now fitted with Mamiya "A" screens, I got them for $45 each on eBay, the downcutting job was pretty easy to perform with some patience, and I'm plenty satisfied with those screens. They're bright enough, their Fresnel is very fine, they match my expectations 100%, the improvement over the original screen is actual (way better image corners illumination and less light reflections).

On my former MX-EVS Rolleiflex I had replaced the original groundglass screen with an $30 Rick Oleson #6603 screen, and the difference in screens was stunning.

;)
 
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