[rollei_list] Re: Bright Screens
- From: Bob Marvin <marvbej@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:15:08 -0500
I've never had a satisfactory answer to this question:
Back in 1965 I had the original.screen of my 2.8E replaced with a Rolleiclear
screen, which was a considerble improvement, especially in terms of corner
brightness. I still do more tha 3/4 of my photography with that camera and have
no trouble focusing. Would I be likely to see much difference with a Maxwell or
other bright screen?
Bob Marvin
Sent from Samsung tableto
FreeLists Mailing List Manager <ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>rollei_list Digest Sun, 01 Jan 2012 Volume: 08 Issue: 001
>
>In This Issue:
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>From: Bob James <starboy0@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 08:44:55 -0600
>
>I purchased an out of the box FX 2.8 last summer. Unfortunately I have never
>looked through an older Rollei so I cannot make any direct comparisons.
>My focussing screen gives me a great image. I have senior eyes myself and
>have no problem with it. Of course in extremely low light situations it is
>certainly no brighter than the extremely low light!
>
>I read in a few places that latest screens used are indeed brighter than the
>vintage models. Also I read that the current screens are the same type and
>brightness used by the Rollei's that are single lens (SL66's).
>
>But consider the above two statements anecdotal.
>
>I would like to know myself if the Maxwell screens are indeed brighter.
>
>Bob
>
>
>
>On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:57 PM, Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I've been reading the posts about lenses on newer Rolleis ��� F/GX, FW, etc.
>> ��� and have a related question:
>>
>> Because of my senior citizen eyesight, I've needed Maxwell screens in my
>> older Rolleis. I'm serious about acquiring an FW and wonder if the screen
>> will be bright enough to focus easily with an f4 viewing lens.
>>
>> How about the focusing screens on these newer models? Are they already good
>> and bright, or is it advisable to have a Maxwell screen installed?
>>
>> Happy new year from
>>
>> Kirk
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 15:11:45 -0300
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>From: CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>2012/1/1 Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx>:
>...
>> Because of my senior citizen eyesight, I've needed Maxwell screens in my
>> older Rolleis.�� I'm serious about acquiring an FW and wonder if the screen
>> will be bright enough to focus easily with an f4 viewing lens.
>>
>> How about the focusing screens on these newer models?�� Are they already good
>> and bright, or is it advisable to have a Maxwell screen installed?
>
>1) Focusing screens for the SL66, SLX, 6000 series cameras, Hy6, X-Act
>and GX/FX/FW/FT are compatible and interchangeable among them and then
>you have a lot of original Rollei focusing screens to choose for the
>TLR last models.
>
>2) Rollei Bright High Definition focusing screens are among the bests
>in the market and they could be only compared with some focusing
>screens for Hasselblad cameras, HD screens have micro structure
>surface for optimum assessment of depth of field and focusing. From
>Rollei literature: "The AF High-D screen ��� ultra-bright focusing
>screen showing AF focusing area for optimum assessment of depth of
>���eld. Brilliant view���nder image even in poor light..."
>
>3) Brightness is a significant condition for a focusing screen,
>however as significant as brightness or more significant it's the
>focusing screen capability to make the best focusing point easily
>distinguishable and to have a certain 3D ability to separate the image
>planes according the different focusing degrees. Ground Glass screens
>have these capabilities, they are the reasons GG focusing screens are
>appreciated. Some old Rollei TLR camera users that bought brighter
>screens returned to the darker GG screens because the new no original
>brighter screens did not allow to identify the best focusing point
>easily. BTW, there are other users satisfied with the brighter
>screens.
>
>4) In 1957/58 Rollei developed focusing screens considered top High
>Tech at the time, they mixed ground glass and Fresnel lens features
>(with focusing aids for some versions) obtaining brighter screens
>keeping the GG features for the new TLR models with interchangeable
>viewfinder hoods and interchangeable focusing screens. This technology
>was copied by other manufacturers and it became the basis for brighter
>and brighter focusing screens.
>
>I use the original GG focusing screen for my 2.8C and for the
>Rolleicord IV, I try to keep the viewing system as clean as possible,
>I have some eyesight problems like astigmatism beside the age and I'm
>satisfied with the results, the difference between the C 2.8 and 'cord
>IV 3.2 viewing lenses is only perceptible for very poor light.
>I also use the original focusing screens for the 3.5F and SL 66, they
>are brighter on the edges than the GG screens, they also have focusing
>aids. The SL66 focusing screen is the brightest one regarding the
>others three and I have no problems to focus with the f4/80 Distagon
>lens.
>
>Carlos
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Jim Brick <jim@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 12:49:58 -0800
>
>I was using Hasselblads for decades before getting my Rollei SL66s. My
>Hasselblads had the latest Acute-Matte D screens which were very bright,
>corner to corner. By comparison, I could barely use the native SL66 focusing
>screens. So I bought and installed Maxwell screens in my three SL66s. What a
>HUGE difference. And focusing ease and accuracy with the Maxwell screens left
>the Acute-Matte D screens in the dust! The Maxwell screens were hands down
>better. If I were to keep my Hasselblads, I would have replaced the
>Acute-Matte D screens with Maxwell screens.
>When I was 14 (I'm 74 now) I got my first real camera, a Rolleicord III. With
>young eyes, viewing and focusing seemed OK. But at some point later on, I got
>a Rolleigrid - a fresnel lens that simply dropped in on top of the built-in
>focusing screen. It did indeed brighten-up the viewing image and made focusing
>easier.
>
>Jim
>
>
>Jim Brick
>Sunnyvale, CA
>http://www.photomojo.org
>
>On Jan 1, 2012, at 6:44 AM, Bob James wrote:
>
>> I purchased an out of the box FX 2.8 last summer. Unfortunately I have
>> never looked through an older Rollei so I cannot make any direct comparisons.
>>
>> My focussing screen gives me a great image. I have senior eyes myself and
>> have no problem with it. Of course in extremely low light situations it is
>> certainly no brighter than the extremely low light!
>>
>> I read in a few places that latest screens used are indeed brighter than the
>> vintage models. Also I read that the current screens are the same type and
>> brightness used by the Rollei's that are single lens (SL66's).
>>
>> But consider the above two statements anecdotal.
>>
>> I would like to know myself if the Maxwell screens are indeed brighter.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:57 PM, Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> I've been reading the posts about lenses on newer Rolleis � F/GX, FW, etc.
>>> � and have a related question:
>>>
>>> Because of my senior citizen eyesight, I've needed Maxwell screens in my
>>> older Rolleis. I'm serious about acquiring an FW and wonder if the screen
>>> will be bright enough to focus easily with an f4 viewing lens.
>>>
>>> How about the focusing screens on these newer models? Are they already
>>> good and bright, or is it advisable to have a Maxwell screen installed?
>>>
>>> Happy new year from
>>>
>>> Kirk
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 18:19:50 -0300
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>From: CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>2012/1/1 Jim Brick <jim@xxxxxxxxxx>:
>> I was using Hasselblads for decades before getting my Rollei SL66s. My
>> Hasselblads had the latest Acute-Matte D screens which were very bright,
>> corner to corner. By comparison, I could barely use the native SL66 focusing
>> screens. So I bought and installed Maxwell screens in my three SL66s. What a
>> HUGE difference. And focusing ease and accuracy with the Maxwell screens
>> left the Acute-Matte D screens in the dust! The Maxwell screens were hands
>> down better. If I were to keep my Hasselblads, I would have replaced the
>> Acute-Matte D screens with Maxwell screens.
>>
>> When I was 14 (I'm 74 now) I got my first real camera, a Rolleicord III.
>> With young eyes, viewing and focusing seemed OK. But at some point later on,
>> I got a Rolleigrid - a fresnel lens that simply dropped in on top of the
>> built-in focusing screen. It did indeed brighten-up the viewing image and
>> made focusing easier.
>
>Your experience is a valuable one Jim, however other users also with
>similar experience using the original focusing screens and the Maxwell
>screens have a different opinion, this is Daniel Ridings opinion taken
>from a public discussion on the topic and you can find similar
>opiniions in the web:
>
>" I just want to confirm Carlos statement that some find it more
>difficult to focus with the brighter, after-market, screens on older
>Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords.
>
>For Rolleiflexes with a 2.8 viewing/focusing lens, I've gone back to
>just the original stuff.
>
>For Rolleicords (the older ones, V and before) that have 3.5 viewing
>lenses, I've tried both. I have a Maxwell screen in my Rolleicord V,
>but I opted out of installing one in my Rolleicord IV or the
>Rolleiflex I got from Phil. I could have had it installed in the
>Rolleiflex, but in my experience, the brighter screens just do not
>"snap" into focus. The whole screen looks good, so it is difficult to
>find the point that is in focus.
>
>I came across a Rolleigrid on eBay a while back. I just pop it in the
>Rolleicord, but when it comes to the Rolleiflexes, I have just never
>needed one.
>
>I had a brighter screen in my Rolleiflex E, but I ended up putting the
>original back.
>
>As they say ... your mileage may vary. It's a personal thing.
>
>Daniel"
>
>Carlos
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 18:41:57 -0300
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>From: CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>This sample was taken with the SL66 and focused with one of the two
>original SL66 focusing screens using the f4 Distagon lens, the natural
>light came from a little window and I needed a long exposure time to
>take the photograph, I had no problems to focus the image, it is sharp
>in the internet and out of the internet:
>http://www.flickr.com/photos/itarfoto/4716333685
>
>Carlos
>
>2012/1/1 CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>:
>> 2012/1/1 Jim Brick <jim@xxxxxxxxxx>:
>>> I was using Hasselblads for decades before getting my Rollei SL66s. My
>>> Hasselblads had the latest Acute-Matte D screens which were very bright,
>>> corner to corner. By comparison, I could barely use the native SL66 focusing
>>> screens. So I bought and installed Maxwell screens in my three SL66s. What a
>>> HUGE difference. And focusing ease and accuracy with the Maxwell screens
>>> left the Acute-Matte D screens in the dust! The Maxwell screens were hands
>>> down better. If I were to keep my Hasselblads, I would have replaced the
>>> Acute-Matte D screens with Maxwell screens.
>>>
>>> When I was 14 (I'm 74 now) I got my first real camera, a Rolleicord III.
>>> With young eyes, viewing and focusing seemed OK. But at some point later on,
>>> I got a Rolleigrid - a fresnel lens that simply dropped in on top of the
>>> built-in focusing screen. It did indeed brighten-up the viewing image and
>>> made focusing easier.
>>
>> Your experience is a valuable one Jim, however other users also with
>> similar experience using the original focusing screens and the Maxwell
>> screens have a different opinion, this is Daniel Ridings opinion taken
>> from a public discussion on the topic and you can find similar
>> opiniions in the web:
>>
>> " I just want to confirm Carlos statement that some find it more
>> difficult to focus with the brighter, after-market, screens on older
>> Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords.
>>
>> For Rolleiflexes with a 2.8 viewing/focusing lens, I've gone back to
>> just the original stuff.
>>
>> For Rolleicords (the older ones, V and before) that have 3.5 viewing
>> lenses, I've tried both. I have a Maxwell screen in my Rolleicord V,
>> but I opted out of installing one in my Rolleicord IV or the
>> Rolleiflex I got from Phil. I could have had it installed in the
>> Rolleiflex, but in my experience, the brighter screens just do not
>> "snap" into focus. The whole screen looks good, so it is difficult to
>> find the point that is in focus.
>>
>> I came across a Rolleigrid on eBay a while back. I just pop it in the
>> Rolleicord, but when it comes to the Rolleiflexes, I have just never
>> needed one.
>>
>> I had a brighter screen in my Rolleiflex E, but I ended up putting the
>> original back.
>>
>> As they say ... your mileage may vary. It's a personal thing.
>>
>> Daniel"
>>
>> Carlos
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 17:29:00 -0800
>
>I didn't anticipate so wide a difference of opinion about this!
>
>I'm one of those who found Maxwell screens a great improvement over Rollei
>screens up to 3.5Fv3. So I'll just have to wait and look at one of the new
>Rollei screens, compared to my F, & see if I'm impressed by the difference in
>brightness. I won't order a Maxwell screen ahead of time.
>
>Could the difference of opinion follow from the two versions of Maxwell
>screens? I have two that are plain grids and two that have split-image
>focusing aids. My experience is that the plain grids 'pop' right into focus,
>but the focusing aids are harder to use and mostly a nuisance. They're
>brighter than Rollei screens, but the point of focus doesn't seem as decisive.
>
>Just a guess: Perhaps Jim is using grid screens & Daniel tried the split
>image?
>
>Kirk
>
>PS, I certainly admire the image Carlos posted � not just for its sharpness
>but for its way of making me think that I'm looking at the kind of '30s
>Modernist machinery of which Rolleis are such an outstanding example.
>
>Here I am, wandering off my own topic, but: Having just mentioned Rolleis and
>Modernism, I wonder if thre's any source that discusses Rollei aesthetic
>development?? I recently read the whole Philips book, and he surveys all
>sources re: the engineering, but says nothing about their gorgeously evolving
>external form. IMO the Old Standard is a masterpiece of art deco design (even
>more so than the embellished and 'officially' Art Deco Rolleicord); and the
>Automat is my favorite example of before-and-after-the-war industrial
>Modernism. Any references about this? In English or French � my German is
>just too rusty?
>
>K
>
>From: jim@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 12:49:58 -0800
>To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>I was using Hasselblads for decades before getting my Rollei SL66s. My
>Hasselblads had the latest Acute-Matte D screens which were very bright,
>corner to corner. By comparison, I could barely use the native SL66 focusing
>screens. So I bought and installed Maxwell screens in my three SL66s. What a
>HUGE difference. And focusing ease and accuracy with the Maxwell screens left
>the Acute-Matte D screens in the dust! The Maxwell screens were hands down
>better. If I were to keep my Hasselblads, I would have replaced the
>Acute-Matte D screens with Maxwell screens.
>When I was 14 (I'm 74 now) I got my first real camera, a Rolleicord III. With
>young eyes, viewing and focusing seemed OK. But at some point later on, I got
>a Rolleigrid - a fresnel lens that simply dropped in on top of the built-in
>focusing screen. It did indeed brighten-up the viewing image and made focusing
>easier.
>Jim
>
>
>Jim Brick
>Sunnyvale, CA
>http://www.photomojo.org
>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>From: Jim Brick <jim@xxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 18:03:19 -0800
>
>Correct! I HATE WITH A PASSION, all of that garbage that resides in the center
>of some screens. My Maxwell screens are PLAIN with grid. As were my
>Acute-Matte screens, as are the screens in all of my 35mm size SLR/DSLR
>cameras.
>Jim
>
>
>Jim Brick
>Sunnyvale, CA
>http://www.photomojo.org
>
>On Jan 1, 2012, at 5:29 PM, Kirk Thompson wrote:
>
>> I didn't anticipate so wide a difference of opinion about this!
>>
>> I'm one of those who found Maxwell screens a great improvement over Rollei
>> screens up to 3.5Fv3. So I'll just have to wait and look at one of the new
>> Rollei screens, compared to my F, & see if I'm impressed by the difference
>> in brightness. I won't order a Maxwell screen ahead of time.
>>
>> Could the difference of opinion follow from the two versions of Maxwell
>> screens? I have two that are plain grids and two that have split-image
>> focusing aids. My experience is that the plain grids 'pop' right into
>> focus, but the focusing aids are harder to use and mostly a nuisance.
>> They're brighter than Rollei screens, but the point of focus doesn't seem as
>> decisive.
>>
>> Just a guess: Perhaps Jim is using grid screens & Daniel tried the split
>> image?
>>
>> Kirk
>>
>> PS, I certainly admire the image Carlos posted � not just for its sharpness
>> but for its way of making me think that I'm looking at the kind of '30s
>> Modernist machinery of which Rolleis are such an outstanding example.
>>
>> Here I am, wandering off my own topic, but: Having just mentioned Rolleis
>> and Modernism, I wonder if thre's any source that discusses Rollei aesthetic
>> development?? I recently read the whole Philips book, and he surveys all
>> sources re: the engineering, but says nothing about their gorgeously
>> evolving external form. IMO the Old Standard is a masterpiece of art deco
>> design (even more so than the embellished and 'officially' Art Deco
>> Rolleicord); and the Automat is my favorite example of
>> before-and-after-the-war industrial Modernism. Any references about this?
>> In English or French � my German is just too rusty?
>>
>> K
>>
>> From: jim@xxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 12:49:58 -0800
>> To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> I was using Hasselblads for decades before getting my Rollei SL66s. My
>> Hasselblads had the latest Acute-Matte D screens which were very bright,
>> corner to corner. By comparison, I could barely use the native SL66 focusing
>> screens. So I bought and installed Maxwell screens in my three SL66s. What a
>> HUGE difference. And focusing ease and accuracy with the Maxwell screens
>> left the Acute-Matte D screens in the dust! The Maxwell screens were hands
>> down better. If I were to keep my Hasselblads, I would have replaced the
>> Acute-Matte D screens with Maxwell screens.
>>
>> When I was 14 (I'm 74 now) I got my first real camera, a Rolleicord III.
>> With young eyes, viewing and focusing seemed OK. But at some point later on,
>> I got a Rolleigrid - a fresnel lens that simply dropped in on top of the
>> built-in focusing screen. It did indeed brighten-up the viewing image and
>> made focusing easier.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> Jim Brick
>> Sunnyvale, CA
>> http://www.photomojo.org
>>
>>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 01:05:13 -0300
>Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
>From: CarlosMFreaza <cmfreaza@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>2012/1/1 Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx>:
>> ...
>> Here I am, wandering off my own topic, but:� Having just mentioned Rolleis
>> and Modernism, I wonder if thre's any source that discusses Rollei aesthetic
>> development??� I recently read the whole Philips book, and he surveys all
>> sources re: the engineering, but says nothing about their gorgeously
>> evolving external form.� IMO the Old Standard is a masterpiece of art deco
>> design (even more so than the embellished and 'officially' Art Deco
>> Rolleicord); and the Automat is my favorite example of
>> before-and-after-the-war industrial Modernism.� Any references about this?
>> In English or French � my German is just too rusty?
>
>The Rolleiflex Standard front panel design was the Rollei TLR
>(Rolleiflex and Rolleicord) aesthetic seal from 1932 up to today, it
>gave to the camera a timeless style with the curved lines for two of
>the four front panel sides, this design has an Art Nouveau pattern
>clearly. The Rolleiflex Standard was a very significant improvement
>regarding the Original model from several points of view, Reinhold
>Heidecke was the main designer for this camera but I don't know if he
>also had to do with the aesthetic design, at least he approved it.
>The Standard film transport mechanism has two big gears that recall
>the clock gears in the photograph as you someway suggested in your
>post. The Automat ( a major improvement for the camera mechanics) up
>to the currents FX/FW/FT keep the Standard front panel design, the
>1937 Automat adopted the Modernism for the plate name and script and
>simplified the aesthetic design for the viewfinder hood, this
>simplified style for the hood was kept up to today. Claus Prochnow
>writes in the Report I that "... In the thirties, the designers had
>laid the groundwork for the unmistakable exterior of the Rolleiflex,
>which I would like to call the "engineers design". It used design
>elements, such as the rounded corners above and below the lenses, very
>sparingly. The resulting shape was timeles..."
>I quote two URLs with Art Nouveau patterns where you can identify the
>Rollei TLR front panel design without doubts:
>http://www.marcels-kid-crafts.com/images/artnouveau2.jpg
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eliseev_mag1.jpg
>
>Carlos
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of rollei_list Digest V8 #1
>*******************************
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