brent8927
Member
I've been using a plain Maxwell focusing screen on my 501C for the past number of years. I felt I was still having some difficulty with focusing, so I thought I'd try an Acute Matte split-prism screen. I ended up finding an Acute Matte D screen with the split prism and grid. It does have the two half circles to distinguish it from the Acute Mattes, though I really didn't care what version it was--I just wanted a split prism with a grid.
In the past I'd read that the Acute Mattes were slightly brighter than the Maxwells, but that at least with plain screens Maxwell screens "popped" more when in focus. However, to me it seems like the Acute Matte D is dimmer--I've attached photographs. Can anyone confirm if this is about the level of brightness you'd expect, or is this more consistent with the "old screens" or a counterfeit one? The grids seem slightly sloppy to me--you can't see in the photo, but one line on the right gets a little thinner and you see the fresnel lines, and I can see the top and bottom diameter portions of the split prism (ie, I see two circular lines very close to each other).
I've attached photos to show the difference. I only have an iphone so I can't really control the exposure, but I think the Acute Matte D screen (grid) is a little more exposed than the Maxwel, yet it still looks dimmer to me. It's not night and day or anything, but it still bugs me, and if anyone has any input I'd greatly appreciate it.
Yes, the camera is on my kitchen floor, looking at the dishwasher and kitchen table. It's the brightest room in the house and it's dark outside...
Certainly it's easier to focus and still plenty bright--I'm just a little anxious about a spending so much on the new Acute Matte screen and it being dimmer than my Maxwell. Thanks!
In the past I'd read that the Acute Mattes were slightly brighter than the Maxwells, but that at least with plain screens Maxwell screens "popped" more when in focus. However, to me it seems like the Acute Matte D is dimmer--I've attached photographs. Can anyone confirm if this is about the level of brightness you'd expect, or is this more consistent with the "old screens" or a counterfeit one? The grids seem slightly sloppy to me--you can't see in the photo, but one line on the right gets a little thinner and you see the fresnel lines, and I can see the top and bottom diameter portions of the split prism (ie, I see two circular lines very close to each other).
I've attached photos to show the difference. I only have an iphone so I can't really control the exposure, but I think the Acute Matte D screen (grid) is a little more exposed than the Maxwel, yet it still looks dimmer to me. It's not night and day or anything, but it still bugs me, and if anyone has any input I'd greatly appreciate it.
Yes, the camera is on my kitchen floor, looking at the dishwasher and kitchen table. It's the brightest room in the house and it's dark outside...
Certainly it's easier to focus and still plenty bright--I'm just a little anxious about a spending so much on the new Acute Matte screen and it being dimmer than my Maxwell. Thanks!