Question about Rolleiflex TLR screens

[hsandler]

I used to have a Rolleicord Va, and I found it hard to compose with the screen not having a fresnel and hence dark corners. I understand that Rolleiflex, I believe somewhere in the E series, started to provide user-interchangeable screens and in the F series also provided user-interchangeable viewfinders. But what I can't determine is whether the stock factory screens ever were provided with fresnels. I see a lot of the higher end E and F series advertised with third party screens, so I suspect not. I see the occasional D or E model at interesting prices, but my feeling is that I would not go for a Rolleiflex if I had to lay out more money for a fresnel screen and recollimation of the focus. My comparison of what constitutes an acceptable screen is what I see on Japanese TLRs like the Autocord and Diacord.

 

[jeffbennett]

The Rolleis with the removable viewing hood, ie, Rolleiflex F and T series and Rolleicord Vb all have screens that are easily changed without any need for recalibration focus. In my experience, all of the stock Rollei screens from these models had fresnel screens, with varying degrees of brightness as well as focus aids in the center. While those screens are generally brighter than the older plain ground glass screens, I have found that the current Rick Oleson bright screens to be noticeably brighter corner to corner and generally easier to focus (I get the one with the large microprism spot).

With the E and earlier Rolleiflex models, it is a little more work to replace the screen though not hard, and you do need to check focus with the new screen, I have generally had this done by a pro at the same time as having the camera CLA’d.

 

[Mark Crabtree]

Rollei made a drop in fresnel, I think called Rolleigrid. I have one in an old Automat MX, which was the earliest Automat to take it. It works great, no change to focus, and usually available for $35 to $45, but I don't know if any Rolleicord took them. Looking at pictures of the hood for the Va it does not appear to have the tab for this. I realize that probably doesn't help you, but does address a part of the question you asked.

 

[Helge]

The fresnel brightness is not free though.
The screen colaminates the light more, which means it contains less depth information.
The ground glass screens might be dimmer but they are also ultimately sharper.

The ground glass screen with split prism spot is the best of both worlds.
Something for bright days and something for evenings.

The rangefinder thingy (name escapes me right now) once calibrated and mounted is not as insane as it looks and sounds.
Haven’t used it for a while though. Too much work to put on and off, when you can just use the peek to the split prism for almost the same thing (not as potentially precise).

 

[Dan Daniel]

If you can find one of those thin plastic magnifier lenses, they can be cut and dropped on top like a Rolleigrid mentioned above. All you need to do is find a bookstore!!! Anyway, it does help. Search one out and drop it in and it might be the end of the search. Maybe $5.

Rick Oleson screens work very nicely. He provides both instruction and shim material so no deep collimation is needed. $80-90 these days? You achieve the necessary focus shift by moving the screen up or down with shims. I would say that his screens are better than the Autocord screens. From the YashciaMat and Autocords on up, I'd consider them all quite usable. What you see in an A/B comparison is nowhere near as obvious in actual use.

Here's a test i did with a variety of focus screens
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142212

 

[hsandler]

Thank you all; that’s very helpful.

 

[btaylor]

I read the rangefinder forum response to Dan’s testing. As I slogged through the 3rd page the Rick Oleson screens were getting trashed. I haven’t tried any bright screens except Rick’s, and I must say I like them. The microprism center works well for me. Great price too.