Beattie Intenscreen vs SatinSnow?

[jjstafford]

I may be missing something here but under real low light conditions I would think a brighter GG would be a help to focus. I just order a Satinsnow GG for this purpose. Maybe I'm just nuts.

Jim

Of course you aren't nuts. To each his own. No disrespect intended. I found it surprising that someone presumed an individual point-of-view was an insult.

Perhaps my expectations for a bright screen are lower than others'. I learned on dark screens. When I frame an image with, for example, a Super-Angulon 90mm I simply don't expect to see the full image at once. I can see enough of the edges, one at a time, to verify the frame and enough in general to know if I've corrected perspective.

Let me add that some time ago I replaced the original Linhof screens with SatinSnow glass and it is an improvement, however my screens were pretty beat up.

As time goes on, due to a worsening condition called AT, I rely more upon previewing with a separate finder, and use of the rangefinder Super Technika. Perhaps I owe an article to explain the approach, technique, rationale.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Getting a faster lens was the reason I ordered a SatinSnow. Make no sense? I got a 210mm F/5.6 Fuji and a 300mm F/5.6. On my old Ansco 8x10 both are so bright it's like watching TV. I then put the lenses on my Shen Hao and it was dark. DARK. It was one thing when my G-Clarons are dark but these things are big and heavy.

So now I'm waiting for my new SatinSnow to replace the stock glass. BTW anybody have any tricks on removing screws? One of the screws on the 5x7 back doesn't want to come out of the wood.

 

[Early Riser]

That makes no sense at all. You should know the frame. You can look outside of the camera/ground glass. Sorry, but I can't understand why your are so groundglass handicapped. Don't lay the blame on me. Look to yourself.

JJS, I've spent more than 30 years looking through the ground glass of view cameras, as I approach the half century mark my eyes are not as good as they once were, and my need for an enhanced GG has grown in proportion to the deterioration of my eyesight. The use of a bright screen or fresnel is not a matter of one's experience or skill level. Being able to carefully study one's framing of a photograph prior to exposure is not a bad thing or a sign of inexperience.

In regards to the various screen types, I have used Beattie screens in my view cameras for many years. However as I tend to use the Sinar zoom back with my Sinars, the added thickness of the beattie screen makes the adjustable mask for the Zoom back problematic to use. Also as I now use a 7x loupe for focusing, the fresnel lines can obfuscate detail in the image and making focusing difficult. My current thinking is to use a SatinSnow GG, which I have ordered, and when needed use the pop on fresnel made by sinar for use on their backs.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

While I'd agree that many people complain about the "dark groundglass" without doing everything possible to use the groundglass they have (letting the eyes adjust to the dark, using an adequate darkcloth and a decent loupe), there is no doubt that having a bright screen makes focusing easier, quicker, and more accurate, and gives the option of using a folding hood where a darkcloth may be impractical.

If you use a booster to meter off the glass, a brighter screen should also give more accurate readings.

 

[jjstafford]

JJS, I've spent more than 30 years looking through the ground glass of view cameras, as I approach the half century mark my eyes are not as good as they once were, and my need for an enhanced GG has grown in proportion to the deterioration of my eyesight. The use of a bright screen or fresnel is not a matter of one's experience or skill level. Being able to carefully study one's framing of a photograph prior to exposure is not a bad thing or a sign of inexperience.

Correct - it is merely a personal preference of some, and not for some others.

My condolences on the old-eye syndrome. I'm only sixty years-old and have trifocals and 20/200 vision which is not to try to one-up you, but to posssibly explain why my expectations of a ground-glass are modest: it's always been difficult with dim and wide lenses, and I've adapted to work-arounds.

 

[Dave Parker]

They finally have a website:
http://www.mattclara.com/maxwell/index.html#Screens

The cost of a 4X5, I believe is somewhere between $200 and $300. It would be interesting to test it side by side with the Satin Snow.

It would be interesting, as Matt Clara, did post information on the web that he was dispointed in our screens, which was the first and only time I have ever had anyone say that.. Now I see he has somehow hooked up with Bill Maxwell to sell screens for him. Bill makes a hell of a good screen, my hang up on them was they also have a hell of a price! ouch!

Dave

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Is this the ultimate answer?

 

[Paul Sorensen]

"For best results, use in conjunction with a bowler hat and wing collar."

How long until Badger Graphic has a nice selection of bowler hats for us to choose from?

 

[roteague]

If you use a booster to meter off the glass, a brighter screen should also give more accurate readings.

Good point, I forgot about that. I've got one of those meters myself.

 

[roteague]

Is this the ultimate answer?

I don't have a bowler hat or wing collar. But, I do have an Akubra. Does that count?

 

[Gim]

Of course you aren't nuts. To each his own. No disrespect intended. I found it surprising that someone presumed an individual point-of-view was an insult.Quote

Insulted.....I don't think so...This is funny. Looks like your looking for some kind of an argument. All I said was that under low light conditions a brighter GG might would help to focus. Insult. You could not insult me if you wanted to.

Jim

 

[jjstafford]

Of course you aren't nuts. To each his own. No disrespect intended. I found it surprising that someone presumed an individual point-of-view was an insult.Quote

Insulted.....I don't think so...This is funny. Looks like your looking for some kind of an argument. All I said was that under low light conditions a brighter GG might would help to focus. Insult. You could not insult me if you wanted to.

Jim

I was replying to someone else. Let's let it go, lest the thread lead to more misunderstandings.

 

[colrehogan]

Is this the ultimate answer?

Since when are ladies going to wear a bowler hat and wing collar?

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Since when are ladies going to wear a bowler hat and wing collar?

Can't you just see Annie Hall wearing them?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Is this the ultimate answer?

That looks like the thing Tom Duffy has on his Sinar P2, minus the loops over the ears.

 

[Claire Senft]

It is best if one follows proven techniques. If one does this with an akubra then they are on their own. Exactly what the effects would be for print LE is unknown whereas the Bowler hat and winged collar have proven to not be harmful to print longevity.

Roteague, I suggest that you bite the bullet and follow conservative photographic practices.

Does anybody have a Bowler hat and winged collar in his size? Come on APUG help this gent out.

 

[herb]

GROUND GLASS STUFF

Depending on your age and/or eyesight, the brighter images are either handy or necessary.
I have used Bosscreen (good) Beattie (good) Satinsnow (good) and Maxwell (good).
Of these, I think the maxwell is the brightest, is made of plastic with a very thin clear glass support. It is VERY sensitive to handling the plastic, witness the smudge in the middle of my 5x7, but I would give it a win for brightness. It is almost the most expensive, costing 3 or 4x the Satin Snow, but no more than Bosscreen, IMHO.

 

[ddolde]

I just ordered a Maxwell screen for my Ebony 4x5. It was $245 with the glass. If you want to reuse your glass it is $215. (both plus shipping)

I figure seeing clearly can make or break an image. This is cheap compared to what the camera and lenses cost. Not to mention film and processing.

 

[Dave Parker]

One thing I will again, bring to light(Pun intended!), the Boss, The Beattie and the Maxwell are what are called an 'Enhanced' Viewing screen, both are good, but myself personally prefer the look of real ground glass, with out the concentric lines of fresnels and other such light enhancing technologies, that is why we invented the process for Satin Snow, to deliver a great quality economical True ground glass viewing screen, which I am very thrilled to say is the best selling ground glass screen in the world, we are on track to sell over 3500 screens this year..

Don't get me wrong, the Boss, the Maxwell and the Beattie are all great screens and work well for their applications, I know many who are very happy with them.

The only reason I posted again, on this subject, was to remind of the difference in Enhanced screens and true ground glass.

Thanks all

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

 

[Charles Webb]

I have all three of the above mentioned items, The Bowler hat in my size,
the winged coller I have worn for cowboy action shooting along with the Akubra. I have found the three items to be of excellent quality and manufacture. They however do not in any way enhance or give aid in achieving a better photographic image. I am sorry, but it is the truth!

I am very pleased with Dave Parkers screens!

 

[Donsta]

Yeah, that may be so, but ain't the Akrubra the ..... I mean, a drinks a drink, a GG is a GG, but a good hat, well, that's a Packard shutter and all...

 

[Dave Parker]

I have all three of the above mentioned items, The Bowler hat in my size,
the winged coller I have worn for cowboy action shooting along with the Akubra. I have found the three items to be of excellent quality and manufacture. They however do not in any way enhance or give aid in achieving a better photographic image. I am sorry, but it is the truth!

I am very pleased with Dave Parkers screens!

LOL Charles,

I agree 100%, I have good screens and still can't take a good picture!

Dave

 

[kjsphoto]

About the Satinsnow glass, I can tell you first hand that they are pretty amazing. I was in Montana a few months back and visited where the glass is made. I even compared it to my Shen ground glass, the Satin glass was much better in the corners, much less fall off.

I also have to say the glass is made first rate. I think they should charge more. The product is excellent. They are top notch and will bend over backwards to make it right if there was anything the matter. I even purchased one of the screens and I would recommend it to anyone.

Just my opinion.

 

[sattler123]

Kevin, I am a huge fan of Satin Snow glass too, BUT to compare a Shen Ground Glass with it is somewhat funny. It is well known that Shen has one of the worst GGs of all LF cameras - I think any GG would be better than the Shen. I am not trying to bash the Shen - indeed I own one and am very happy with it, but the Ground Glass on it is horrible. In fact I ordered two new GGs for it from Dave the other day.
Dave, keep up the good work - I now use your GG on all my LF cameras!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Just installed a Satin Snow GG in my 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Century Graphic, hauled it up into the Santa Monica Mtns and shot some film. The lens was my new f9 150mm Docter Optics Apo Germinar. The f9 images were bright and easy to focus. BIG improvement over the old GG!

The Satin Snow is truly a marvelous GG, Dave!