Default focusing screen of Hasselblad 501 CM "good enough"?

[Sirius Glass]

trouble to accurately focus is one of the most frequent complaints with the Hasselblad System. I had the same issue and tried a few screens. The one that worked best for me was the split screen accurate. I don't think brightness is so much an issue but the split screen really helps.

Accurate focusing problems arise because the focusing screen in not in the correct position. That is easily remedied with a trip to a Hasselblad repairman.

 

[outwest]

Ansel Adams did OK with the original 500C focusing screen. Just saying. I do have the Acute Matte D screen (made by Mamiya, I believe) in my 500C/M. I also made a Mamiya RB67 screen into one for my Rolleiflex. I think the Rollei needed it more than the Hassie.

 

[crumpet8]

Accurate focusing problems arise because the focusing screen in not in the correct position. That is easily remedied with a trip to a Hasselblad repairman.

This. A correctly adjusted camera is definitely the first step no matter what camera. Good tip Sirius

 

[Sirius Glass]

Aw shucks

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Accurate focusing problems arise because the focusing screen in not in the correct position. That is easily remedied with a trip to a Hasselblad repairman.

I CARRY MY HASSELBLADS AROUND ON A PILLOW;HOW CAN THE SCREEN MOVE OUT OF POSITION?

 

[film_man]

I CARRY MY HASSELBLADS AROUND ON A PILLOW;HOW CAN THE SCREEN MOVE OUT OF POSITION?

I thought the Hasselblad was the pillow?

 

[Sirius Glass]

I CARRY MY HASSELBLADS AROUND ON A PILLOW;HOW CAN THE SCREEN MOVE OUT OF POSITION?

Focusing screens get out of position when they are removed and exchanged or the camera body gets out of alignment.

 

[ron917]

Focusing screens get out of position when they are removed and exchanged or the camera body gets out of alignment.

How would that happen? On all but the earliest bodies, the screens are designed to be user replaceable. Short of dropping the body, it would be REALLY hard to mess it up.

 

[film_man]

The only way to muck it up is if you put the screen upside. If it was so difficult then they wouldn't make it user replaceable, you'd have to be an imbecile to mess it up.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Focusing screens get out of position when they are removed and exchanged or the camera body gets out of alignment.

I'm saying this for years:"if something it made adjustable, you end up needing to adjust hit."

 

[mike c]

When I first got my Accumatt D screen for my 500cm, I took it to Sammys camera an had the Tech guy check it out. He put it in his Hasselblad body Jig and measured it , said I was lucky as they do not always line up correctly and do need adjustment sometimes. Did that for free too.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When I first got my Accumatt D screen for my 500cm, I took it to Sammys camera an had the Tech guy check it out. He put it in his Hasselblad body Jig and measured it , said I was lucky as they do not always line up correctly and do need adjustment sometimes. Did that for free too.

That would be Mike.

 

[sterioma]

Thank you all for your comments, they have been all helpful.

In the end I decided to go for a 501cm from another seller, this time with an Acute Matte screen.
It's now in the post, looking forward to my first real MF camera (have only "played" with an Holga so far, and I loved the bigger negatives).

 

[dodphotography]

Actually two people who I frequently see actually swapped their Acute Mattes for older , darker screens due to better focusing results.

 

[Ted Baker]

Actually two people who I frequently see actually swapped their Acute Mattes for older , darker screens due to better focusing results.

I think that is why they brought out the later "D" version because the first version showed too much of the aerial image.