Hasselblad Focusing Screen

shutterboy · Apr 16, 2014

I have recently got hold of a Hasselblad 501cm which came with a Acute Matte D 42215 focusing screen. It was pretty dirty, so I cleaned it with Lens cleaner. I had not noted that these things are made of acrylic and should not come in contact with alcohol. Now, that I have done it already, how to determine if I had damaged it ?

Thanks

frank · Apr 16, 2014

How does it look when you put it back into the camera? How is the viewing? How is the focusing?

shutterboy · Apr 16, 2014

I can't make out any difference, other than it's cleaner. And as far as I can say, my focus is accurate on the film.

Tom1956 · Apr 17, 2014

Any lens cleaner I ever knew of doesn't have any alcohol. But don't be cleaning it any more than you have to, and use Q-tips so you don't scratch it. I don't think you harmed anything.

Slixtiesix · Apr 17, 2014

As long as it is not scratched and there aren´t any milky/cloudy residuals on it, I don´t think you should bother. But I would not do it again either...

shutterboy · Apr 17, 2014

Slixtiesix said:
As long as it is not scratched and there aren´t any milky/cloudy residuals on it, I don´t think you should bother. But I would not do it again either...

Now that you say, holding the focusing screen to light at an angle does seem to have some cloudy stuff on the shiny side. This time I tried to wipe it off with a lint free microfiber damped with distilled water, but it does not go. There is no major scratch I can see though, just a few very very faint hairlines.

Xmas · Apr 17, 2014

shutterboy said:
Now that you say, holding the focusing screen to light at an angle does seem to have some cloudy stuff on the shiny side. This time I tried to wipe it off with a lint free microfiber damped with distilled water, but it does not go. There is no major scratch I can see though, just a few very very faint hairlines.

No stop while you are ahead it won't show on photos.
The plastic is soft, it will scratch, you don't need to use a dremel.
If it gets dusty in future only use a bulb blower on it.
The same is true of the mirror... don't clean.

shutterboy · Apr 17, 2014

Very well, makes sense...

itsdoable · Apr 17, 2014

Hasselblad acute matte screens are made with 2 layers, the top on is a glass cover, the bottom is the acrylic accute matte screen with the focus aids (if present). The top glass pretects the screen and allows you to tape, draw marks, and clean the dust off without damaging any soft plastic.

The disadvantage with this design is if you use a cleaning fluid, it can get drawn between the 2 layers, and leave behind a residue. If this happens, you either just live with it, or dismantle the screen and clean it - being careful not to damage the softer plastic lower layer. Dismantling the screen is not for the squimish - it is easy to scratch or damage the bottom plastic layer.

shutterboy · Apr 18, 2014

itsdoable said:
Hasselblad acute matte screens are made with 2 layers, the top on is a glass cover, the bottom is the acrylic accute matte screen with the focus aids (if present).

Fucking awesome!! But seriously, I am done with trying out anything other than distilled water soaked in a lint free cloth squeezed to *almost* dry.

Tom1956 · Apr 18, 2014

The best cleaning supplies I've ever found was GENUINE Q-tip brand cotton swabs, Webril Wipes, plain blue window cleaner, and distilled water.

Hasselblad Focusing Screen

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