Rolleifle 3.5 F - Focus Screen Options & Calibration

[xvelids]

Hi all,

From a little internet research, I know this topic has been discussed a few times, but it wasn't clear to me what my options are (in respect to feasibility and cost) concerning my circumstances. In the past summer, I visited Krikor Camera and he replaced/sold me a new screen. I was under the impression this was a maxwell screen. Having used it, it was no better (not brighter) and probably worse than my original screen which I have since lost. My original screen was clear with a magnifying circle in the middle which was very helpful to me for focusing. This new screen only has a grid and is very dim. The corners are not bright and it's hard to compose and focus. In fact, I'm not sure if the focus calibration is off, but several my images (I was shooting several rolls at 5.6) were out of focus and in fact when I shoot I have my focus checked my others so I know it's not just myself. My thinking is that I should go out and replace this screen which is proving to be a small nightmare.

My options as I see it are:

1. Purchase the Rz67 Pro II Screen Type A and cut it down. This is affordable and there is one online at the moment.
2. Purchase a Maxwell from the company? (Is he still in business? website is down and facebook looks dated) I suppose I could install it myself and check the focus...If it is off, I could send it back to Krikor to recalibrate.
3. I could purchase a second-hand maxwell and try to install myself and if the focus is off, send it to krikor to recalibrate.

My concerns are:

I'm not sure which Maxwell to purchase. There seems to be several and I would need to purchase to test, which is not convenient given the cost. Any advice? I like shooting still life and portrait.

So to summarize, should I purchase the RZ67 Screen first and see how it works for me? I would prefer to have that magnifying circle which the Type A includes. This, it seems, helps my focusing. Furthermore, I believe I have the original Rolleiflex groundglass...It is heavily scratched. It has a grid and the Rollei logo at the bottom. How can you tell if you have a Maxwell Screen?

Thanks for reading and would love to the community's feedback.

___

I was reading through this thread which was extremely helpful:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

http://archive.eh21.com/focusing-screens/Focusing Screen Illumination/

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?72279-Ordering-Maxwell-screens

 

[frank]

For my newly acquired Rolleiflex automat, I ordered a screen from Rick Oleson. It's an option to consider. I'm expecting it in the mail this week.

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-216.html

 

[HiHoSilver]

I about choked on the price of a Maxwell screen for the 'blad. But it delivers the goods unambiguously. A local blad service guy (30 yrs blad svs) said the maxwell screen would give me an additional 2 stops of light in the viewfinder. Its been a while since my eye was calibrated but I'd subjectively say he was right. Bill Maxwell is still in bus., is extremely knowledgeable in photography & optics. I paid extra for the split inside the microprism and the grid. I LOVE using that camera.

The price I heard for the rollei version seemed like it was about $100 cheaper than the ones for the 'blad.

The screen hurt (badly) once. Unless I foul it up, I expect to love it for as long as I use the camera, which I hope will be decades.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Harry Fleenor has the Maxwell screens and a good description on his site of the two kinds. They both have their purpose depending on what you like.
Send to him, he sells them and will install and adjust for you. He's installed a least three for me.

 

[frank]

That's top shelf!

 

[jochen]

Hello,
if the original screen of the 3,5 F is not damaged, leave it as it is, this screen is not as bad at all. For older models with matte-glass screen a Mamiya screen is a good option.

 

[dpurdy]

If you do get hold of Bill Maxwell and buy a screen direct, it is very easy to install in an F and needs no calibration if you put it in correctly... mat side down.
Dennis

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

If you do get hold of Bill Maxwell and buy a screen direct, it is very easy to install in an F and needs no calibration if you put it in correctly... mat side down.
Dennis

Assuming it's all properly calibrated in the first place.

 

[xvelids]

Thanks for getting back to me.

While I am intrigued by the Maxwell screens, I'm put off by the price especially for an installation by Harry Fleenor mainly because of cost and shipping. Furthermore, I like the microprism but do not like the grid nor the split image (I'm a little confused what exactly split image is...but am assuming it is split image focusing system used by rangefinders...)

So, I think my first step is to order the Mamiya RZ67 Type A. It has a microprism, seems fairly bright according to this test: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18067251@N04/13929553138/in/photostream/ and is inexpensive comparatively to the Maxwell.

In terms of focus calibration, I am going to assume it is calibrated correctly and install the new screen. I think what I will do is shoot a test roll and see if things are out of focus at various lengths. When I had it installed by Krikor, he said the camera was in perfect condition and replacing the screen itself is not difficult.

I'll let you guys know how things go.

Edit:

In hindsight, I live in NYC...so another option for me is to visit Krikor again to see his Maxwell screens and demo it and the other option is to visit Koh in Long Island to test the Beattie Brightscreens. Nonetheless, for the time being, I will still order the RZ67 Type A and cut it down. I shoot a RZ67 and always thought to myself..."wish I could get this screen on the Rolleiflex"...so hence why I want to give it a shot as I love the brightness and ease of focus on the RZ screen - it's just a good shooting experience/workflow for me.