Etching focusing screens

Tony-S · Jul 18, 2011

I'd like to put etchings on my Bronica GS-1 focusing screen to mark 35mm panoramas. Is there a recommended way for etching the screens without damaging them?

Brian Legge · Jul 18, 2011

Can you put down an overlay over it instead? For example, a transparency with the markings on it? That would avoid doing something permanent, let you swap them, etc.

Tony-S · Jul 18, 2011

Something like thin black plastic or construction paper?

Ian Grant · Jul 18, 2011

In the past I've used Chinagraph pencils, finely sharpened, it'll wash off if needed, lasted 30+ years on a screen/

Ian

Dan Daniel · Jul 18, 2011

'Etching' is damaging, if by damage you mean removing or 'relocating' material. To do actual etching, an X-Acto type knife would work. Depending on how wide a line you want, you can make a scoring tool from a blade, putting a little hook into it and then grinding the hook's width to the width of score you want.

Pencil, china marker. The overlay is a nice approach.

lxdude · Jul 18, 2011

I have a couple of stock ones for my ETR series cameras-one plain and one with split-image. My favorite though is a plain matte screen which has been marked with black felt tip marker. The lines are more prominent than the etched lines of the stock ones and easily removed if I should decide to. I have not blacked out or cross-hatched the non-image parts of the screen; it just hasn't been necessary.

Marking is simple: using a small, flexible metal ruler, measure to find the horizontal centerline of the screen, then make small marks 12mm above and below center on either side, on the under side of the screen. Then using the ruler as a straightedge, connect the marks across the screen.
Quick, easy, cheap and effective.

paul ron · Jul 18, 2011

Fine tipped magic marker on the smooth side of the screen so you can wipe it off if you change your mind.

lxdude · Jul 18, 2011

^Yeah, what he said.^

Tony-S · Jul 18, 2011

Ok a pencil or pen it is. Viewfinder or camera side of the screen?

lxdude · Jul 18, 2011

Camera side. The viewfinder side has the fresnel lens.

Tony-S · Jul 18, 2011

Excellent - thanks much to all that replied.

jeffreyg · Jul 18, 2011

You could print different ones such as a grid on transparent media with your computer printer. Cut them out and lay them as mentioned on the outer surface of the view finder.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

paul ron · Jul 19, 2011

lxdude said:
^Yeah, what he said.^

Yup, just what you said. Boy we are a couple of smart fellas.

Etching focusing screens

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