Hasselblad focus screen differences

Grim Tuesday · Jul 3, 2019

I have a 500C right now and I'm thinking of moving up to a 500CM so I can get a different focus screen. I find the fresnel distractingly coarse on my 500C. Does anyone know if the default 500CM screen is any better? Also does anyone know the difference between the default screen (42161) and the "plain glass" screen (42200)? They both appear to have crosshairs and appear as separate line items in the old catalog.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 3, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
I have a 500C right now and I'm thinking of moving up to a 500CM so I can get a different focus screen. I find the fresnel distractingly coarse on my 500C. Does anyone know if the default 500CM screen is any better? Also does anyone know the difference between the default screen (42161) and the "plain glass" screen (42200)? They both appear to have crosshairs and appear as separate line items in the old catalog.

any acumatte screen will impress you.

Grim Tuesday · Jul 3, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
any acumatte screen will impress you.

Sure, but I'm not sure I want to spend $250 on a screen right now. I was planning to get something like the grid with central dot pre-acute matte screen, or even one of the regular 500CM ones if they're better than my 500C.

itsdoable · Jul 3, 2019

All pre-acute matte screens have course fresnel patterns (except the rare fiber optic screen just before the acute matte)

One option is to replace the existing screen in your 500c with an aftermarket one with a finer fresnel, but you would have to get it calibrated. But if you don't like it, you would need the reversion calibrated again.

If you get a 500cm, just make sure you get one with an acute matte - much cheaper that way.

bdial · Jul 3, 2019

The plain glass screen is completely clear, it's made for extreme close up use, it's not useable for ordinary work. Focusing is by comparing the aerial image to the cross-hair, just looking through it, everything appears in-focus.
I've never liked the standard screens, I use either a microprism screen or split image screen in my cameras. An accute-matte would be nice, but they are very dear to buy these days.
Finally, back when I had a 500C, I changed the screen myself, and never had to have anything calibrated. Perhaps I was lucky, IDK.

Grim Tuesday · Jul 3, 2019

I was thinking of getting an Oleson screen and having a local camera shop put it in. Total cost would be around $150 for the screen and labor. On the other hand, a new-to-me 500CM and a microprism screen costs about $250, and I get a backup body out of it...

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2019

RalphLambrecht said:
any acumatte screen will impress you.

+1

Look for used Acumatte screens. I like the one with large cross hairs which I use to check the horizon and verticals.

Hasselblad focus screen differences

Grim Tuesday

RalphLambrecht

Grim Tuesday

itsdoable

bdial

Grim Tuesday

Sirius Glass

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