Rittreck 5x7 Love and ground glass replacement

[Darryl Roberts]

Hi,

After the learning curve, this Rittreck 5x7 has definitely grown on me.

For me to totally love it, it needs a brighter ground glass. Does anyone know how to replace it, or what's a good one (link) to replace it with?

Advanced thank you.

Darryl

 

[abruzzi]

physically replacing it is easy. There are two brackets holding it in place, each bracket has two tiny screws. Remove the screws, remove the brackets, remove the glass. Reassemble in reverse order. You might start with just cleaning. Mine was filthy when I got it. It looked like someone had spilled coffee on the inside of the screen. So I removed it and carefully washed it in warm soapy water with my fingers (no rags or abrasives), and that made it satisfactory for me. You can look for replacements, but unless the seller knows the exact size of the Rittreck screen you'll need to measure your screen to compare.

The rule of thumb that I've heard is courser grinds on the ground glass make it brighter, but make focus harder/less accurate. There are companies that do "bright screens" like Maxwell--but I don't know what they do to make it brighter, and they tend to be expensive. If I was going to replace mine, I'd probably go with this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275219798875

Its cheap, hand ground, and on schott glass, and from a USA seller that I've heard good things about, but I've never used him, and its not a "bright screen". He claims that hand ground is brighter than acid etched, but I can't confirm that.

Also his screens don't come with markings (some may prefer a grid or similar), but he can notch the corners for free.

 

[Darryl Roberts]

physically replacing it is easy. There are two brackets holding it in place, each bracket has two tiny screws. Remove the screws, remove the brackets, remove the glass. Reassemble in reverse order. You might start with just cleaning. Mine was filthy when I got it. It looked like someone had spilled coffee on the inside of the screen. So I removed it and carefully washed it in warm soapy water with my fingers (no rags or abrasives), and that made it satisfactory for me. You can look for replacements, but unless the seller knows the exact size of the Rittreck screen you'll need to measure your screen to compare.

The rule of thumb that I've heard is courser grinds on the ground glass make it brighter, but make focus harder/less accurate. There are companies that do "bright screens" like Maxwell--but I don't know what they do to make it brighter, and they tend to be expensive. If I was going to replace mine, I'd probably go with this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275219798875

Its cheap, hand ground, and on schott glass, and from a USA seller that I've heard good things about, but I've never used him, and its not a "bright screen". He claims that hand ground is brighter than acid etched, but I can't confirm that.

Also his screens don't come with markings (some may prefer a grid or similar), but he can notch the corners for free.

Thank you VERY much.

 

[Rod Klukas]

Hi,

After the learning curve, this Rittreck 5x7 has definitely grown on me.

For me to totally love it, it needs a brighter ground glass. Does anyone know how to replace it, or what's a good one (link) to replace it with?

Advanced thank you.

Darryl

Darryl,

As you inquired in the past, here is something to be aware of now:
Having spent most of a week here with our new Directing Manager, we wish to make the following announcement:

Update from ARCA-SWISS - 5x7 format

Jean-Pierre Pieve, our new managing director as of December 2021, has announced the return of ARCA-SWISS 5x7 formats.

As of today, any F-line or M-Line camera may be ordered in 5x7 format. Remember, if you wish to have the MicroOrbix geared tilt it needs to be added at the time of purchase.

Also announced and available to order are 171 wide angle leather bag bellows.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

If you have questions contact your dealer or myself.

Rod

 

[Darryl Roberts]

Darryl,

As you inquired in the past, here is something to be aware of now:
Having spent most of a week here with our new Directing Manager, we wish to make the following announcement:

Update from ARCA-SWISS - 5x7 format

Jean-Pierre Pieve, our new managing director as of December 2021, has announced the return of ARCA-SWISS 5x7 formats.

As of today, any F-line or M-Line camera may be ordered in 5x7 format. Remember, if you wish to have the MicroOrbix geared tilt it needs to be added at the time of purchase.

Also announced and available to order are 171 wide angle leather bag bellows.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

If you have questions contact your dealer or myself.

Rod

Awesome, thank you.