Rolleiflex 3.5F with Maxwell Screen

[Alan9940]

Getting ready to send my Rolleiflex 3.5F to Harry Fleenor for a "once over" and I'm considering having a Maxwell screen installed while he has it. I'm looking at the one with grid, split image and micro-prism ring. I'm a bit hesitant regarding this screen because I've been burned before with supposed bright screens; many years ago I bought the Hasselblad Bright Screen when it first came out and I found it very difficult to focus the camera (and my eyes were good, then!) When the Acutte Matte screen came out I hesitantly bought one, but I had to do something. I've been very pleased with that screen for a long time.

So, my question is... Does anyone have this specific Maxwell screen installed in a Rolleiflex that also wears glasses? How do you find focusing ability?

Thank you.

P.S. I should probably mention that my issue with focusing with the Hassy Bright Screen was lack of contrast. It was plenty bright, but simply didn't have enough contrast in fine lines to evaluate critical focus.

 

[Frank53]

I have that screen in my 3.5F and need glasses for reading and for all the rest.
In most camera's I use diopter lenses, but those are hard to find for the Rolleiflex.
Especially the split image in the Maxwell screen helps me a lot, so I have no problem focussing without glasses.
Beside that the screen is very bright.
But I guess it is all a bit personal.
Regards,
Frank

 

[Oren Grad]

I'm extremely nearsighted and have glasses with a very strong correction.

A few years back I had Harry Fleenor install a plain Maxwell screen in a 3.5E as part of a general overhaul. I didn't like it - the screen was brighter all right, but I found it very difficult to judge the point of best focus. In hindsight I wished I had chosen one with a focusing aid in the middle, probably split image though I expect a microprism would also have been better for me than the plain screen.

But this is very much a personal thing - you'll likely hear as well from people who have been very happy with their Maxwell screens.

 

[baachitraka]

Stock screen is still the best for me.

 

[btaylor]

I have a Maxwell gridded screen in my 2.8D, it came to me that way. I like it. As many have pointed out it is a personal preference. I generally prefer a plain screen, I usually take my time composing and I like it best without the visual distraction in the middle of the screen-- that's just me, YMMV. Plain screens work in all kinds of light too, the half split image and microprisms go partially dark in low light. I have the stock screens in my Automat and Rolleicord Va and like baatchitraka, I like them too.

 

[baachitraka]

Va's stock screen is a nice balance between brightness and sharpness. I have learned it after using GG and after market screen.

GG is sharp but sadly it may be too dim for many.

I bought one after market screen with split-screen and it is a total garbage.

Any experience on using bright screen with big microprism spot?

 

[Harry Stevens]

I wouldn't swap out my original screens in my Rolleiflex automat 58-62 vintage or my Rolleicord Va's I like them as they are. I remember years ago reading in a camera magazine that it was best to blur the image totally at first and then focus in from that extreme and you will pick out the focus point much easier, the tip as worked for me for years and my eyes are not the best .

 

[dpurdy]

I have that screen in my 2.8F and I put another in my 2.8FX. You don't need help installing the screen and you can buy it direct from Bill Maxwell if that saves you some money.
I like mine, obviously since I replaced the brand new stock screen in the new FX with the Maxwell and I like it a lot better. I do however almost always use a prism finder on both cameras. The only problem I personally had with the Maxwell was when using the pop up magnifier with the Waist Level Finder. The corners of the screen go dark for me. Not a deal breaker in my use since I use a prism mostly anyway. I personally don't find the micro prism collar all that useful but I rely on the split image. One other observation is that the grid lines and split image are much easier to see with the screen in my F than the FX so it seems there is some sample variation. I would call Bill Maxwell and talk to him if I was you.
Dennis

 

[Dan Daniel]

I have a couple of comparisons of screens over on RFF. The second link especially has a variety of comments about people's experience-

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155288&highlight=screens
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142212&highlight=screens

A Maxwell screen will not burn you. Personally I like the plain Maxwell screen, no split, no grid. The problem with the split screen is that you need to move the camera and center an object to focus on it. Then you will move the camera to reframe. If you are working at close distances, this can mean losing focus. Although the overall area on the split Maxwell is still bright, the fresnel is a bit coarser and it isn't as easy to focus on those areas.

The Rick Oleson microprism screen is very nice if you like microprisms. The Mamiya screens are probably the best bang for the buck. The Maxwell screens are simply the brightest; as you can see people have differing opinions on the crispness of focus.

As to glasses, I have a 2.8C camera which has an adjustable magnifier. So I can use distance lenses and focus well with the Maxwell on it. Or I can move it and use the reading section of my bifocals. Best as I can tell, any issues in focusing with glasses will carry across all screens. I bought a Rolleicord with a -1 diopter installed and it happens to work well for me in other Rolleis that don't have the adjustable magnifier position.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

You could try waxing the screen the screen you already have to see if that will work for you. It really brightens it up and is easily reversible as long as the screen is glass.

 

[piu58]

I use my 3,5F with the original screen, which is of the fresnel type (plastic). It is much brighter than the frosted glass screens which I had in some older camers. I had never issues with it and would not change it.

 

[Alan9940]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm sure the Maxwell screen is nice or, brighter anyway, but I think I'm going to stay with the stock screen for awhile and see how it goes.