What are some current providers/manufacturers of bright focusing screens? I am aware of Maxwell Precision. Anyone else providing screens of similar quality? Thanks in advance.
Bright Screens - Current Manufacturers?
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Steve Hopf makes very good borosilicate screens.
Off the shelf, you can still pick up Wista, Tachihara et al..
I've used Chinese Yanke screens with success, though they weren't at the level of a Wista GG.
As a general rule, I've found that the brighter the screen, the grainier the view is in my loupe.
The finer the grain on the glass, the more precisely I can focus, but the screen is darker overall.
Off the shelf, you can still pick up Wista, Tachihara et al..
I've used Chinese Yanke screens with success, though they weren't at the level of a Wista GG.
As a general rule, I've found that the brighter the screen, the grainier the view is in my loupe.
The finer the grain on the glass, the more precisely I can focus, but the screen is darker overall.
There are reports dating back to 2004 that the manufacturer no longer exists.
In 2012 a dutch fellow from Apug seemingly tried to to order a screen and reported the same.
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The site is still up.
You may have been thinking of this: http://www.bosscreen.byethost7.com/homepage_body.htm?ckattempt=1
You may have been thinking of this: http://www.bosscreen.byethost7.com/homepage_body.htm?ckattempt=1
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Yes, but has anyone ordered and received a screen from that entity lately? Within the last year or two at least? I don't know, but hope an authoritative reply to the question will be posted.
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Interesting if relevant. Google dates this link http://www.stabitech.nl/glasscreen.htm Aug 6, 2015.
The screens are still around and coming to eBay. I recently bought one but not from the maker, from a seller on eBay.
If Stabitech is out of business there's a chance that Renato can find a BosScreen to fit his camera if he's patient. If he wants one. Reports on them are mixed.
The screens are still around and coming to eBay. I recently bought one but not from the maker, from a seller on eBay.
If Stabitech is out of business there's a chance that Renato can find a BosScreen to fit his camera if he's patient. If he wants one. Reports on them are mixed.
I e-mailed Steve Hopf a few weeks ago with an inquiry but he has not replied; I will try again. People has spoken highly of his screens.
After my original post I did find the Sabitech site but it doesn't give many specifics as to their screens: are they just regular fresnels or brighter than normal fresnels and so on.
Bill Maxwell makes great screens - I have one on the Linhof Master Tech. I would like a bright screen for a new to me Toho camera. Bill Maxwell's screen would cost exactly half what I paid for the camera - that's why the reluctance and search for other suppliers...
After my original post I did find the Sabitech site but it doesn't give many specifics as to their screens: are they just regular fresnels or brighter than normal fresnels and so on.
Bill Maxwell makes great screens - I have one on the Linhof Master Tech. I would like a bright screen for a new to me Toho camera. Bill Maxwell's screen would cost exactly half what I paid for the camera - that's why the reluctance and search for other suppliers...
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Renato, BosScreens use a layer of wax sandwiched between two layers of glass. The image used for focusing is formed on the wax' front surface. They're not that much brighter than normal GGs, they have much finer grain and allow better focusing. The wax will separate from the glasses if frozen and if heated enough to flow. When I was contemplating buying a BosScreen I searched for users' comments. Short summary, some, not that many, had disasters.
When used with a w/a lens a fresnel of the right focal length will improve brightness in the corners. That's all.
If the GG you now use is too dark, give it a bath. If that doesn't work, bug Steve Hopf. Years ago I replaced the GGs in the 2x3 Graphics I use with Dave Parker's SatinSnow screens. This after washing the original GGs. Dave's were an improvement. He's had horrible family problems, is out of the business. But Steve's GGs have as good a reputation as Dave's.
When used with a w/a lens a fresnel of the right focal length will improve brightness in the corners. That's all.
If the GG you now use is too dark, give it a bath. If that doesn't work, bug Steve Hopf. Years ago I replaced the GGs in the 2x3 Graphics I use with Dave Parker's SatinSnow screens. This after washing the original GGs. Dave's were an improvement. He's had horrible family problems, is out of the business. But Steve's GGs have as good a reputation as Dave's.
Very good information - Thanks Dan.
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Renato, before you go blowing a wad of cash on a new ground glass for a cheaper camera, you should try waxing the screen you already have. I have done it to a few screens now and it has always vastly improved the brightness. I used Butcher's Wax because that is what I had, but any high quality Carnauba or Beeswax should work (Renaissance wax for example). Just put on a light coat. One thing to keep in mind if you do this is you may lose the lines on the ground glass if there is any solvent in the wax but those are easily replaced with a pencil. Personally I have always found lines distracting so I take them off anyway and just make some marks at the edge of the ground glass for leveling.
I have also heard of screens getting shellacked before as well, but I don't know anything about that. Someone else might chime in though now that I have mentioned it.
Hope that helps you.
I have also heard of screens getting shellacked before as well, but I don't know anything about that. Someone else might chime in though now that I have mentioned it.
Hope that helps you.
I am going to try it - I didn't know you could do this. Thanks for the tip.
For the Bosscreen there is a successor product from another manufacturer. Customized, though likely without any grid print.
http://www.glasscreen.de/lieferprogramm/deutschland/index.php
http://www.glasscreen.de/lieferprogramm/deutschland/index.php
Welcome to APUG donkittle
There is globalmatterlab.net...I bought one for 50bucks off eBay...but unfortunately it was too big for my Ebony RW45. so had to send it back. It looked bright but I guess it was not made for the newer ebonys.
Cary, I tried the eBay route. The Wista screen I bought is nice and bright, and about 1mm too long to fit on my Wista.. Steve's are cut to the size you specify. Don't know how good they are, but I'll chime in once I know. I believe his screens start from $45 for 4x5.
Welcome to APUG
So, I received my screens (a 4x5 and an 8x10) from Steve Hopf yesterday. They are much brighter than both screens I already owned and my Deardorff screen looked pretty-darn-bright(tm) - it just lacked gridlines. Both installed easily, were a great fit and made focusing super easy. I even turned off the lights in my room and focused by the LED of my iPhone and it worked great. Highly recommended.
Iv'e been interacting with Steve via this email address: hopfsteve@gmail.com
Iv'e been interacting with Steve via this email address: hopfsteve@gmail.com
Maxwell Precision Optics made some superbly bright screens for large format cameras, and some for medium format cameras, too, although I don't what he currently offers. While OP is aware of him, other readers can try to email Bill at maxwellprecisionoptics@yahoo.com or phone (770)939-6644
FYI
I ordered a Seve Hoft screen because even after cleaning of the old screen, although better than before, was still dim. The new screen is a little brighter but no comparison to the Maxwell. I expected this - Steve was very upfront about it as well; he clearly stated that his are regular screens. He does good work at a reasonable price - I am happy with the screen.
I ordered a Seve Hoft screen because even after cleaning of the old screen, although better than before, was still dim. The new screen is a little brighter but no comparison to the Maxwell. I expected this - Steve was very upfront about it as well; he clearly stated that his are regular screens. He does good work at a reasonable price - I am happy with the screen.
The Beattie Intenscreen is very good, several stops brighter than a ground glass screen, my experience was with an 8x10 screen twenty years ago, they now are handled by a company in Rochester NY, check out the offerings here http://www.intenscreen.com/products_large-format.htm
Good news. I thought they had gone out of business - couldn't find them for the longest time.
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