Improving the Deardorff GG?

[Jarin Blaschke]

Hi all:

After a covetous 20 years, I'm finally putting together a kit and delving into the 8x10" format from 6x7cm. I am out of the country working for another 3 weeks but will return home to a V8 Deardorff. On the weekends I've been procuring the various parts to ship home. I've been deliberating a "brighter" or "better" ground glass, but wanted to get people's thoughts on the original Deardorff GG and how much improvement I might see in both composing and focusing with a fresnel lens from Ebay vs. a Boss screen vs. a Steve Hopf screen vs. a Beattie screen.

Thanks,
Jarin

 

[Dan Fromm]

Good luck finding a Bosscreen. I hope I'm mistaken but I understand that the manufacturer is out of business.

 

[Alan9940]

I personally don't like a fresnel. If you have a large bank account, the Maxwell screens are highly regarded, but I don't know if he makes 8x10 size. I just got a Hopf borosilicate screen for my 4x5 and it's really nice.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Or a Maxwell screen, but please be sitting down when you hear the price.

 

[Jarin Blaschke]

So perhaps the two real contemporary options are screens from Maxwell and Hopf? Price aside, can someone remark on the working differences between the two?

J

 

[Alan9940]

I've never even seen a Maxwell screen, but I'd bet that Bill's screens offer a brighter view than the Hopf screen. Personally, I couldn't afford a Maxwell screen so the Hopf or make one myself is really my only choice.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Jarin, if you're lucky you might find a new old stock or lightly used Bosscreen for your camera. Improbable, but lightning does strike. That's how I got a NOS Bosscreen for my 4x5 Cambo.

I'm not sure, though, that you should want one. If mine is typical, they're not brighter than standard, they're finer grained so easier to focus. And don't forget that their thermal limits are narrow. Too hot and the wax melts. Too cold and it cracks. Either way, bye bye.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

A 4x5 Maxwell screen is approx. $400-500. and well worth the price and the wait - it is very bright and a pleasure to use. I have one on my 4x5 Technika and the majority of the time I can easily focus by using the built-in hood without a dark cloth. I do not know if he makes them in 8x10 but I can't imagine what it would cost. The Hopf screen is a 'regular' not a 'bright' screen, also very well made (I have one on my TOHO 4x5). There are some screens, with claims of being 'bright', being sold on eBay for not much more than for a regular screen but I have no idea as to how valid their claims.