Clean the focus screen

[yaacovk]

Hello.
i own Hasselblad 501cm.
is someone can tell how to clean the focus screen?
is there any liquid that i can soak the focus screen to clean it or there is another Technic?

Regards.

Yaacov

 

[andrew.roos]

Just be careful as many focus screens have laminated 2-part construction, and liquid can soak in-between the layers where it is impossible to remove. I had this happen when I stupidly tried cleaning an F3 screen by dipping in water. I don't know whether the 'blad screens are laminated.

See http://www.filmbodies.com/cameras/camera-faq/how-do-you-clean-focusing.html for some tips.

 

[Xmas]

Hello.
i own Hasselblad 501cm.
is someone can tell how to clean the focus screen?
is there any liquid that i can soak the focus screen to clean it or there is another Technic?

Regards.

Yaacov

Yes just ignore the crud.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Like Andrew said, please do not submerge it into any liquid! Clean only the top surface, which has a glass layer. The other side should not need cleaning since it´s inside the camera, also it is very susceptible to damage! Remove dust with an air blower or a soft brush. If this does not help, use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth with a small drop of water or lens cleaner (on the cloth not on the screen!). Wipe gently, breath on the screen and wipe again to remove all residues. Best is to only treat the spot that is dirty, do not attempt to clean parts where it´s not necessary. Always be careful when handling the screen, they are quite expensive especially the Acute Matte D you have. Again: Do not clean the underside, you could ruin it.

 

[bdial]

It's really easy to create "cleaning marks" on these screens with even the softest brush. If an air duster doesn't work, learn to ignore it.

 

[itsdoable]

Hasselblad acute matte screens are made in 2 layers separated by air, held together by the metal frame. The bottom layer is plastic, containing a Fresnel surface on the bottom and a matte (or acute matte) surface on the top, along with the focusing aids if present. The top layer is a thin sheet of glass. The bottom surface is very easy to damage, anything more than a camel hair brush will scratch it. The top layer can be cleaned with tissue/cloth. Hasselblad recommends not to use any liquid.

The glass on the top was designed to be easy to clean, and so that photographers could mark the screen for specific projects.

Due to the design, the air gap in the middle will wick liquid in if present, which is hard to remove, and leaves a stain or droplets. This is why Hasselblad recommends no liquids - if you get any liquid near the edge of the screen against the metal frame, it gets wicked underneath very quickly. Unfortunately some old screen will have contamination between the layers (which can happen over a lifetime if you ever photograph in wet conditions). It is possible to clean these (there are several old threads on here about that), but you should be very cautious as it is very easy to ruin a very expensive item.

Older Hasselblad screens are plastic on top and can easily be scratched.

The 501C came with an Acute Matte D screen, but users often swapped screens, so you should check your body to see what it has.

 

[philipus]

Thanks for all this info. I was wondering the same because my 203FE's screen is quite dirty. I've now just blown away the dust and it's sufficiently clean to use without distraction.

 

[Alan Klein]

Can anyone make cleaning recommendations for the Mamiya RB67 Pr's focusing screen?

 

[Xmas]

See post #3

 

[yaacovk]

Thank you all

i'll keep your recommendation and will clean with a soft brush.

Yaacov.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Can anyone make cleaning recommendations for the Mamiya RB67 Pr's focusing screen?

The Mamiya screen is also two pieces. Glass panel on top and palstic screen below. Unlike the hasselblad, you can unscrew the clips that hold the parts in place.

I would stick with what people are saying here. The top glass can be wiped down if need be.

 

[film_man]

If the blower doesn't do it I have some lint free wipes, a couple of drops of lens cleaning fluid on them do the job on persistent gunk on the screen. However I only had to do that once or twice in however many years, after I was out in the rain and raindrops fell on the screen to mix with dirt.