Recommendations for a Bright Focusing Screen for Phillips 8x10 Compact?

D_Quinn · Jan 22, 2025

I'm looking for recommendations for focusing screens for a Phillips 8x10 Compact. I thought my current screen might be dirty and dim, so I washed it with detergent and water, but the grid disappeared. While this can't be fixed, I wonder if a brighter screen is available. I came across a product called the "Intrepid Fresnel Screen" and was curious if it can be used on top of the Phillips ground glass (2mm thickness). Does having a Fresnel screen or not affect focusing? If anyone has tried this product, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Additionally, if there are any other recommended focusing screens, I would love to hear them too.

Thank you in advance!

Ian Grant · Jan 22, 2025

Beattie Intenscreen if you can find and afford one. The Chinese fresnels I fit to 5x4 cameras are 1.2mm thick, and very good.

Ian

gary mulder · Jan 22, 2025

For me the finest to use 8 x 10 "screen is the standard screen from a Sinar with dito fresnel. I have retrofitted one in my Canham 8x10 camera.

abruzzi · Jan 22, 2025

D_Quinn said:
Does having a Fresnel screen or not affect focusing?

if the fresnel is on top of the ground glass (i.e. on the user side of the glass, not the lens side) then it should not affect focus. If the fresnel is on the lens side, then yes, it does affect focus.

Alan9940 · Jan 22, 2025

I have an Intrepid fresnel on my Intrepid 8x10 v2 camera. It's okay, but not great; haven't seen different fresnel screens, but this one seems to have a rather course cut which means the lines are easily seen when viewing the ground glass. What I really don't like about it, is that your angle of viewing has to be in a certain position or the screen goes nearly black. When making camera adjustments like tilt for near/far focus, I like to watch both the near and far image areas as I refocus. This is difficult with the fresnel. I also like to check my corners which is, also, made more difficult with the fresnel. These issues may not bother you, of course.

D_Quinn · Jan 23, 2025

Thanks for all the helpful comments! Based on Alan9940's feedback, I'm still unsure if I like it, even though the image looks brighter on the screen. Considering the shipping cost, it’s not cheap, so I think I’ll take some more time to reconsider.

DREW WILEY · Jan 24, 2025

My own Phillips 8x10 came equipped with Satin Snow ground glass, which is about as good as it gets. Adding a fresnel screen might prove counterproductive; I personally hate those things. But to each his own.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jan 24, 2025

By the way, recently replaced my calumet cc-400 focusing screen. Since I didnt want/needed anything fancy, bought one on Aliexpress for around $20-30. It is pretty good and bright. Surely better than the original one (that was kinda dim probably due to age) and better than I expected for the price. Company is called Proscope or something similar and seems they carry a 8x10 for around $50-60 dlls.

Regards

Marcelo

Recommendations for a Bright Focusing Screen for Phillips 8x10 Compact?

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