Hasselblad Question - 'Acute Matte D' Screen

Jager

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My 5th edition by Wildi is still a week or so out. So in the meantime, I'll float my dumb Hasselblad questions here...

I understand the 'Acute Matte D' is the best focusing screen for the Hasselblad V series, with greater light transmission and contrast. My questions...

How much difference does the Acute Matte D screen make versus a 'standard' screen?

I assume these screens are user swappable? If so, can I ask if that is a difficult or risky adventure (I assume not)?

I'm looking at different used camera models, some with the screen, some without - ergo my interest.

Thanks in advance...

Jeff
 

Nr90

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I'm a hasselblad newbie as well, but some things I've learned so far:

I think the acute matte D and the regular Acute Matte are very similar. Both are generally considered to be a large upgrade from the older standard screens.
A lot is written about different screens (also from different manufacturers).
Try a search here and on google.

The screens are swapped very easily on the 500C/M and later models. No tools needed.
On the earlier 500C the screen is not as easily swapped. I think it's still doable if you have some basic tools and are fairly handy, however many have it done by a pro (combined with a CLA).
 

bdial

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I've not used an Acute Matte, but IMHO, almost anything is better than the stock standard screen. I use a split image screen in one camera and a micro-prism screen in another. The Acute Matte's are brighter, but so far, I've been ok with what I have.

The screens are user swappable if the camera is a ".../M" model or a very late production 500C. With the back off, you slide the finder off and there are two small locking levers that hold the screen in place.

For most 500C's the screen is held in place with four screws, it's easy enough to remove those to change the screen, but shims are sometimes required to put the screen at the correct focus plane. Because of that, they aren't considered to be truly user swappable, though I did it when I had a 500C and the focus was just fine.

Manuals are available at Dead Link Removed
 

film_man

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I had an Acute Matte D and I also had a standard screen. The standard screen was just unusable to me. The Acute Matte D is one of the brightest and nicest screen I have ever used. I have a $400 Bill Maxwell screen for my Mamiya RB67 and the Hasselblad is still a bit brighter, though that probably is down to the slower RB lenses.

I don't know what the difference is with the slightly older Acute Matte but if I was to get a hasselblad again I wouldn't buy one without a D screen.
 

Alan Gales

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I have never used an Acute Matte D but I had both the original screen and a Beattie Intenscreen on a Hasselblad 500 C/M. The Beattie was a world of difference. Much, much brighter and easier to focus. I loved it.

From what I have read on APUG the Acute Matte D is considered as good or better than the Beattie.
 

gone

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I had the stock screen in my older 'blads, the one w/ the big focusing circle/bubble in the center. Loved that screen. Maybe not the brightest, but very contrasty, and things seemed to really "pop" into focus. I wear glasses, and seldom had to use the magnifier on the WLF w/ that screen. Had the same experience w/ my Roleicords. I swapped out the stock screen (these are NOT as good as the 'blad screens) and went to an expensive bright screen w/ fresnel. The fresnel drove me nuts because I could see the swirls when focusing w/ the magnifier, so I went to a cut down Mamiya RB screen and was much happier.
 

jerrybro

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Inside or in dim conditions, the D screen wins. Outsdie or under very bright lights, the old screen is ok. I put in the D and never went back to the original.
 

jeffbennett

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I have a 503Cxi that came with what I believe is the Acute Matte (not-D) screen, and it is very bright. I have since put a Maxwell screen in (the matte version with only gridlines, no focusing aid), but the original screen is nearly as bright.

From what others are saying, it sounds like there is an older standard screen that is not nearly as bright as the non-D Acute Matte.

Jeff
 

Sirius Glass

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About one stop brighter.
 
OP
OP

Jager

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Thanks, guys. Sounds like there is a fairly resounding improvement in going to the Acute Matte D screen. Looks like I might be looking for one soon, as I pulled the trigger on a very clean, just-CLA'd, 500C/M this morning.

Very excited to see what the Hasselblad experience is like...

Jeff
 

RalphLambrecht

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In my experience, the Acute Matte D is a very good screen but a split-image creen with surrounding micro prism is the easiest to focus. In fact,I bought some cheapy Chinese versions of it and prefer them over the std Hasselblad screen.Still, when it comes to brightness, the Acute Matte is hard to beat.
 

cowanw

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Acute Matte D #42215, the desirable micro-prism collar with split-image spot version.
 

film_man

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I don't know what the availability is in the US but finding one in the UK is near impossible, last time I saw one it was selling for £350!!! You may be luckier finding the non-D screen or you could talk to Bill Maxwell to do you one. Not sure what his pricing is for Hasselblads.
 
OP
OP

Jager

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Thank you, gentlemen. Indeed, the Acute Matte D screens are rather spendy! Nonetheless, given that the focusing screen is at the heart of the photographer/camera interface, it's rather important.

I pulled the trigger on a split-image 42215 version this morning.
 

Sirius Glass

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I have the Acute Matte D screen with the horizontal and vertical cross hairs. I look at the whole field of view and focus by quickly rotating the focus ring instead of using the center spot/ring. The cross hairs allow me to quickly check the horizon or the verticals [trees, lamp post, signs, buildings] while composing.
 
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