Bronica ETRSI - brighter focusing screen

igor.burshteyn · Jan 13, 2009

Hello -

It's my 1st post here, but probably some of you are familiar with me from RangeFinderForum.com
I recently became happy owner of very basic ETRSI outfit. Great camera, I immediately felt at home with its ergonomics. The only thing I would like to improve is viewing image brightness - I am spoiled by OM viewfinder with 2-13 screen installed. This leads to a quest for brighter focusing screen for ETRSI (I have Bronica plain matte screen in camera). Are there brighter focusing screens - either OEM or aftermarket - available for Bronica ETRSI?

vdoak · Jan 13, 2009

Hello Igor and welcome to Apug

this one is a little to rich for my blood but...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91126-REG/Beattie_83414_Intenscreen_Focusing_Screen_.html

igor.burshteyn · Jan 13, 2009

Victor, thanks.
Pretty hefty price tag on that Beattie, actually more $$ than I payed for my Bronica outfit. Did anybody use it in Bronicas, how it's compared to stock screen? Are there more economical options out there?

aparat · Jan 13, 2009

igor.burshteyn said:
Victor, thanks.
Pretty hefty price tag on that Beattie, actually more $$ than I payed for my Bronica outfit. Did anybody use it in Bronicas, how it's compared to stock screen? Are there more economical options out there?

I used to have a Bronica SQ-B with a Beattie screen. I was just lucky to buy the camera with the Beattie pre-installed. It made a considerable difference compared to the factory screen. The focus looked crisper and therefore easier to find.

gedra · Jan 13, 2009

Hello:

I recently purchased a Beattie screen for my 40 yr. old Rolleiflex. It was expensive at $200, but the look through the viewfinder is amazing - certainly worth the money for me.

Nick Zentena · Jan 13, 2009

Which finder are you using? The prism costs some light.

igor.burshteyn · Jan 13, 2009

Nick, I use plain non-metered p-finder. WLF would be a little brighter I guess.
I've seen references to another bright screen maker - Bill Maxwell. I didn't succeed to find his web site for pricing/information. Is there any Maxwell screen user here who can comment on its merits?

wiltw · Jan 13, 2009

If you use a metered finder, any aftermarket screen which is brighter will throw off the metering. You could compensate simply by dialing in a lower ISO than was actually loaded. That approach brings great risk if you shoot in a high intensity shooting situation with films of multiple ISOs, but is not insurmountable for a casual hobbyist rather than a working wedding pro, for example.

jime11 · Jan 13, 2009

Hi Igor: I had Bill Maxwell process one of my screens with his "Hi Lux" process a couple of years ago. It really improved the focusing on my 45-90 lens and even made possible focusing the 125-250 indoors. The cost was about $100 & for me it was a better option than replacing the screen. He said at the time he had a couple of ETRsi screens available for purchase. I don't have his phone# but do a search on photo.net.

wiltw · Jan 14, 2009

Maxwell contact information:

http://www.mattclara.com/maxwell/index.html

igor.burshteyn · Jan 14, 2009

Thanks, I am going to contact Maxwell for pricing information.

dancqu · Jan 14, 2009

The Beattie I installed is a big improvement over
the stock screen. Another big improvement I made
is Bronica's Rotary Finder. My AEIII prism finder now
sits in in a drawer; a pain in the neck with the camera
low on the tripod. Dan

SpunkySpine · Feb 1, 2013

I was able to find a NEW never used Beattie for my ETRSi on fleabay. It brightens the view by 2 to 3 fstops. Landed it for $60.00 + 6.00 shipping.
Simply at the right place at the right time.

Keep an eye for KEH.com They sometimes will have a brightscreen for reasonable price. Their minimum shipping to Canada ($56.00) is too high for my blood though. If you're in the US, expect way better shipping prices.

Good luck.

Bronica ETRSI - brighter focusing screen

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