Focusing screen

Looking for recommendations for focusing screens for Wisner 4x5. The OE screen isn't very usable at all, very dark. I bought an E-Tone screen, but it, too, isn't very bright. What are you guys using? I see some on ebay for as little as $25.00, but am doubtful of the quality. A Maxwell sounds nice, but are a bit pricey, custom-made with no returns.

Thread moved to the Large Format Camera sub-forum - where it should be more comfortable.

Dave Parker quit selling ground glass long ago but, I'll mention Satin Snow as the very best there was.

Have you tried cleaning the Wisner glass? Sometimes they're just dirty.

I use INTENSCREENs on my TOKO 4x5s -- very similar to Wisner 4x5s. I don't know if the BEATTY INTENSCREENs are still available NEW, and they might be similar to Maxwells or others. Some people like these intensifiers, others can't stand them -- and they are not cheap.

The good NEWS is that screens from one camera will often fit different, but similar, cameras. The trick is getting the measurements exact.

BradS said:

Dave Parker quit selling ground glass long ago but, I'll mention Satin Snow as the very best there was.

Have you tried cleaning the Wisner glass? Sometimes they're just dirty.

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Yes, first thing I did was to clean them, they're just very dim. I'll look into Satin Snow.

Bosscreens can sometimes be found for a decent price, a clean toyo screen is pretty bright

Satin Snow has been out of business for a long time. They had a slightly coarse grind which I appreciate; and I have that particular ground glass on both my Phillips 8x10 and Ebony 4x5.

But a screen "brightener" is an entirely different item of the fresnel category, which I generally dislike. These can help even out the "hot spot" effect of very wide angle lenses, if those kind of lenses happen to be your cup of tea. The problem is, you might not know the actual pros and cons with respect to your personal style and lens selection until you experiment with one of these, and that can be costly.

The screens made by Bill Maxwell are WONDERFUL. Folks have done comparisons and found the Maxwell screens to be one of the best on the market in the past. I do not know if these are available new any longer. The last contact information I have.

maxwellprecisionoptics {at} yahoo.com or mobile phone {removed}....send text to inquire.

jim appleyard said:

Looking for recommendations for focusing screens for Wisner 4x5. The OE screen isn't very usable at all, very dark. I bought an E-Tone screen, but it, too, isn't very bright. What are you guys using? I see some on ebay for as little as $25.00, but am doubtful of the quality. A Maxwell sounds nice, but are a bit pricey, custom-made with no returns.

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buy the best you can afford and You'll buy it only once.

It's not just a matter of "best", but which works best in relation to specific angles of view taken in by specific lenses, and just how critically you need to focus. That's
true even in relation to SLR brighteners. I have the original version Intenscreen in my Nikon and love it. But not only have those screens themselves changed, but working with a large format camera capable of movement, while using a magnifying loupe, is a whole other level of experience.

There are people grinding their own glass, and allegedly achieving results similar to Satin Snow. I haven't tried it. Most standard ground glass is just too fine a grind.

It could be the smoke smell that made SatinSnow such good ground glass.

I just bought a Beattie on ebay for $56.00; not breaking the bank. I will still welcome opinions and the good thing is, there are several types of screens out there and I can always switch.

Drew: yes, shooting with a 90mm lens.

DREW WILEY said:

It's not just a matter of "best", but which works best in relation to specific angles of view taken in by specific lenses, and just how critically you need to focus.

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Yup. There is no absolute "Best". Really there is only, "good enough" and that is relative and subjective. What works well for a 75mm (on 4x5) is horrible for 150mm. What one photographer like may not be what the other guy likes.

DREW WILEY said:

There are people grinding their own glass, and allegedly achieving results similar to Satin Snow. I haven't tried it. Most standard ground glass is just too fine a grind.

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I've tried. Made a few fairly decent screens. With practice, it is not terribly difficult (if a little tedious) to make a reasonably good ground glass. The difficulty is in achieving a grind with uniform distribution and not overdoing it (knowing when to stop). As with anything, it takes a lot of practice. You have to fail a lot before getting decent results. I was having glass blanks cut by a local glass shop - the costs for materials add up pretty quickly when you're learning the craft. Dave sold a consistently excellent product at a very fair price.