135 format camera custom framing lines

radiant · Mar 13, 2021

I would like to have 135 format camera that I could draw/print my own framing/cropping lines which I could see through viewfinder.

I currently use Canon AE-1 cameras but I don't see any easy way to detach focusing glass from those cameras. I know Nikon F3 has detachable viewfinder which would allow modifying the focusing glass. I also have few Minolta Dynax series too.

Is there any other ways to do this, any other cameras that are suitable for getting stuff pretty close to focusing glass without risk of damaing the camera body? (and maybe cheaper than F3..)

Any ideas welcome

AgX · Mar 13, 2021

If I understand you right you are asking which 35mm SLR has exchangable focusing screens.

Well, speaking of Canon, already the successor model to yours, the AE-1P, offered a choice of 7 screens.
Acquire such body with an extra screen and you can mark on the latter lines of your liking, and stay with the lenses you already got.

radiant · Mar 13, 2021

AgX said:
If I understand you right you are asking which 35mm SLR has exchangable focusing screens.

Well, speaking of Canon, already the successor model to yours, the AE-1P, offered a choice of 7 screens.
Acquire such body with an extra screen and you can mark on the latter lines of your liking, and stay with the lenses you already got.

I have AE-1P but I couldn't figure out how the screen change works. Now looking again, it is really easy:
Writing this post I realized the Minolta bodies could be another choice too. And so I peeked at Minolta Dynax 500si and it had a pretty easy looking attachment for the focusing screen. And it was, really. I got the screen out, made my marks with marker and put the screen back. And it works. There is just a wire over a "notch" of focus screen. Just pull the wire a bit back and the focusing screen is free.

I'm sure Dynax 800si has also really easy mechanism, it looks pretty same as 500si. So there is two choices if someone decides to want this option too.

I'll test this method on Dynax first and then I can make the marks on AE-1P screen too if I like it.

AgX · Mar 13, 2021

Be most careful when applying marks or when taking-off markings by solvent.

The majority of exchangable screens are made out of plastic and most easily can be scratched. Also harming by solvent is a chance.

warden · Mar 13, 2021

vedostuu said:
I'll test this method on Dynax first and then I can make the marks on AE-1P screen too if I like it.

Do you have to mark the screen? Perhaps a thin mask could be laid on top of the screen before reinserting it? It's hard to tell how much clearance there is from the video.

AgX · Mar 13, 2021

A mask may interfere with the focal setting of the screen.

radiant · Mar 13, 2021

AgX said:
Be most careful when applying marks or when taking-off markings by solvent.

The majority of exchangable screens are made out of plastic and most easily can be scratched. Also harming by solvent is a chance.

That is why I didn't want to do this on AE-1P.

jawarden said:
Do you have to mark the screen? Perhaps a thin mask could be laid on top of the screen before reinserting it? It's hard to tell how much clearance there is from the video.

I don't know does it affect to the etched effect? And I would need to find some really clear plastic first. I tried clear tape on both sides but of course it doesn't work at all. The screen has fresnel-type pattern on bottom and the "etched" side on top. So I decided to go ahead and use marker directly on the screen.

I basically marked square lines so I can compose square framings. Those lines don't disturb at all if I'm doing "full frame" composition. I shot already some photos and I really like it.

Kodachromeguy · Mar 13, 2021

AgX said:
A mask may interfere with the focal setting of the screen.

On cameras like the Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4, the screen is in a frame that fits down onto a rectangle mount. The OP could place a mask on top of the screen without changing focus. The cameras where the screen is exchanged via the lens mount may not work with a mask.

radiant · Mar 13, 2021

Kodachromeguy said:
On cameras like the Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4, the screen is in a frame that fits down onto a rectangle mount. The OP could place a mask on top of the screen without changing focus. The cameras where the screen is exchanged via the lens mount may not work with a mask.

Yes, it probably pushes the focus plane down. However on Dynax 500si it is no problem since it is an autofocus camera

warden · Mar 13, 2021

vedostuu said:
I don't know does it affect to the etched effect? And I would need to find some really clear plastic first. .

I was thinking a black mask above the screen to whatever format you're after but AGX is probably right about the mask moving the plane.

radiant · Mar 13, 2021

jawarden said:
I was thinking a black mask above the screen to whatever format you're after but AGX is probably right about the mask moving the plane.

That would do or some tape so that borders are clear so the screen can sink into the screen frame fully. But I just wanted some guides so complete masking was not an option.

135 format camera custom framing lines

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