Raid: All the hassie stuff mixes and matches (a system!). I got this chimney finder for the 500 (and use it as a focusing aid for the 4x5, too) and bought the focusing screen adapter when I got the SWC. It's simply a ground glass frame that replaces the film back. (It works on the 500, too, but doesn't make much sense to use except to check for focussing errors...)
The problem with the chimney/adapter is that it's really slow. Once you get a feel for what the SWC covers, you won't use it much. The big thing is not to sweat it.
I took measurements with my textile "minimum and hyperfocal distance calculator" (string) yesterday, after reading your post. With too much time on my hands, I measured the indicator knots at absolute minimum focus, then hyperfocal distance for each aperture (all from the front of lens, not film plane):
Minimum focus (hard stop, any aperture) is 7" (18cm) from front of lens, or the width of a Shaka. (Note "min" knot in pic below.)
Hyperfocal distance (min. in-focus range to infinity):
f22 -- 23 1/2" (60cm)
f16 -- 28 3/8" (72cm)
f11 -- 47" (120cm)
f8 -- 60 1/4" (152cm)
f4.5 -- 102" (260cm)
So, worst case at max aperture, everything from 8' to infinity is in focus. Distance markings on lens are very accurate from film plane (add 4" / 10cm to above).
- Charlie
PS: get a couple of chrome film magazines. It's nice to have at least 2. Condition matters more than era - all A12s work the same and there is a premium on late model 212s. Figure $150 per. Matching numbers are nice, too.
PPS: There is a guy on ebay that sells adapters to mount the hassie chimney finder on Canon DSLRs LCD for filming video. Another cool app for it.
