Rolleiflex focussing screens

[Analogski]

Hi!

I have a very nice Rolleiflex 3.5f. A year ago I bought a Rick Olsson focussing screen (splitscreen). Now, I'm looking for the most bright screen possible. Will is this the most bright screen out there, or is the Maxwell screen much brighter (from what I read, it has a "pop" effect) and is an upgrade worth it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[blee1996]

I would recommend not over-thinking the focus screen. The original 3.5F screen is plenty good, so is the Oleson screen and Maxwell screen. You don't get that much difference in practical use for critical focusing. Some might be a tad brighter, while some might be a tad more snapping in/out of focus. Enjoy what you have.

 

[ic-racer]

The brightest screen is an aerial image with crosshairs; quite difficult to focus.

 

[Analogski]

I would recommend not over-thinking the focus screen. The original 3.5F screen is plenty good, so is the Oleson screen and Maxwell screen. You don't get that much difference in practical use for critical focusing. Some might be a tad brighter, while some might be a tad more snapping in/out of focus. Enjoy what you have.

Not a lot of difference? I have the original screen laying around. Maybe I'll look at the differences. But has anyone have tips on how I can clean the old one without messing it up? Or destroying it?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Not a lot of difference? I have the original screen laying around. Maybe I'll look at the differences. But has anyone have tips on how I can clean the old one without messing it up? Or destroying it?

If by original you mean the Rolleiflex original (F&H embossed on one edge), most likely it is a bit yellowed from age. That's what I see in these screens.

Here's a comparison of different screens. The Rolleicord Split at the bottom is most likely a Rolleiflex F screen; the split was in Fs and Es while no focusing aid was in Rolleicord Vbs (only one that took removable screens). Yes, the Maxwell is brighter by a bit. Best of luck getting one.

Rolleiflex focus screen comparison test

EDIT: June 2020: I redid the original tests in 2016. I think I started a new thread with the new tests. Butr I nver came back and cleaned up this post, and this is the one that was made a sticky. So, here is a more complete sample. My original discussion based on 4 or 5 screens:: >>>>The...

rangefinderforum.com

To clean any of them, very gentle soap and a soft camels hair brush. Follow fresnel grooves. Wash in warm water. Bill Maxwell recommends Johnson Baby Shampoo for his screens. The issue with his screens is that the Fresnel grooves come to a very delicate 'point' on the outer edges and these can be easily pressed down, bent, etc. Hence the delicacy and the desire for a brush, not scrubbing with even a finger tip. I haven't noticed other screens being as delicate but still you need to be careful not to deform the plastic on both sides.

Something like an A/B comparison in real life or photos can show things, but the human brain is remarkably adaptable. Any quality screen is going to work very well once you are in the field and concentrating on taking photos, not comparing screens. Remember, the Rollei was used with ground glass screens for a couple of decades and made its real name with people using these. The arrival of plastic bright screens coincided with the slow ascension of 35mm cameras as the standard in working cameras.

Oh, Magicflex in Germany has some nice screens. My impression is that his carefully selected top line screens are on a level with Maxwells, a touch brighter than Olesons, and hovering between the Maxwell $350 and Oleson $125 in cost.

Focusing screens

Ultra bright screens for Rolleiflex or Rolleicord cameras

magicflexcamera.com

 

[Pieter12]

Check the mirror. Sometimes replacing it can increase the brightness of the viewfinder.

 

[outwest]

Many years ago I replaced the screen in my 3.5F with one from a Mamiya RB. I think it was around $30 and required a little cutting it to shape. I am still very happy that I did it as it was a great replacement.

 

[Jessxi]

I've had 4 different screens for my rolleiflex's (Oleson, Maxwell, Hopf Borosilicate GG, and Original.).

In my opinion, and I will preface this by saying that I understand that we all see differently and that our eyes and mind prefer different things when it comes to what we see on the ground glass.

I wouldn't say that I have noticed that the Maxwell screen is that much brighter than the Oleson and you may not even notice a difference. I do think that both are much brighter than the original screen.

Jess

 

[JPD]

Oh, Magicflex in Germany has some nice screens. My impression is that his carefully selected top line screens are on a level with Maxwells, a touch brighter than Olesons, and hovering between the Maxwell $350 and Oleson $125 in cost.

I think the Magicflex screens are Chinese made (in case someone thinks they are German.)

 

[Dan Daniel]

I think the Magicflex screens are Chinese made (in case someone thinks they are German.)

Yes. I've bought some of the China screens and a couple were pretty much the same as Magicflex screens a couple of people sent me to install in their cameras. Even the same packaging and installation accessories (finger cots and plastic tweezers). One of the China screens matched a 'second quality' from Magicflex and one was lower quality. I do think that Magicflex gets first choice and has good quality standards for consistency while a basic buyer like me gets whatever is next in the pile from China.

 

[Analogski]

Yes. I've bought some of the China screens and a couple were pretty much the same as Magicflex screens a couple of people sent me to install in their cameras. Even the same packaging and installation accessories (finger cots and plastic tweezers). One of the China screens matched a 'second quality' from Magicflex and one was lower quality. I do think that Magicflex gets first choice and has good quality standards for consistency while a basic buyer like me gets whatever is next in the pile from China.

The guy in Germany sells these cheap Chinese screens for a price between a Oleson and Maxwell price...

Maybe I'll try switching back to the original focusing screen and play with it again to look if it really is a different game.

But first I'll have to clean it up. I'll try putting it onder some running water with some baby shampoo and gently rub it clean with my fingers. I hope I won't destroy it

 

[Alex Varas]

I cut off my screens to size from RB67 screens, very happy with the results.

 

[brian steinberger]

I recently bought a magicflex screen for my Rolleiflex 3.5E3 and it’s fantastic. I’ve never used a Oleson or Maxwell so I can’t compare to those. I chose the magicflex because neither Oleson or Maxwell offer an all matte screen.