Focus screen questions

[roguegeek]

I purchased a 1980 500C/M a little while ago with the original cross reference focus screen. Been borrowing an Acute Matte screen from work for a while and it's about a billion times better. I'd like to purchase one, but paying hundreds of dollars for a piece of glass is something I'm wrestling with. So onto the questions.

What are the different Acute Matte focus screens out there and what are the differences? From some previous research, this is what I've found so far:

• 42170 - with grid and split
• 42270 - newer version with grid and split

Has anyone tried an aftermarket focus screen such as this or this? For the price, are they worth it or should I just focus on finding an Acute Matte screen?

And finally, can someone identify the screen that I'm currently borrowing?

 

[polypal]

First of all forget the Chinese made junk with 45° split.
These screens are even less bright than the first generation Hasselblad screens.
On top of that they require that your camera is calibrated for the China made screens because they are not made to Hasselblad specifications.

I agree prices for new Acute Matte screens are not very friendly.
In spite of that most users will agree they are worth every cent, penny etc.
Used ones go for half new price or even less.

The difference between first AM screens and later "D" screens is quite small.
Later screens make focusing with high light levels is easier, nothing spectacular though.

 

[roguegeek]

Are there pics of the screens anywhere? I mean I can find tons of images of focus screens, but there are so many variations out there that it's hard for me to spot what is or what isn't Hasselblad.

Can anyone identify the screen in the image above?

 

[polypal]

Hasselblad catalogues from the sixties and seventies show you first generation screens.
For acute Matte screens look at more recent catalogues.

I do not remember the screen in the picture as one made by Hasselblad.
If it turns out to be a Hasselblad screen it must be a rare one.

Bright Screen and Maxwell in the US also made screens for V series cameras.
Yours could be one manufactured by them.

 

[roguegeek]

Bright Screen and Maxwell in the US also made screens for V series cameras.
Yours could be one manufactured by them.

Oh excellent. I just assumed because it looked different than mine and had the split image that it was an Acute Matte screen. This is great info for me. Thanks.

 

[polypal]

Thanks to the help I got from Rick Nordins Hasselblad compendium I found that your screen
is the first non standard screen supplied by Hasselblad for the 500CM in 1971.

That makes it a first generation screen.
Those screens were not very bright and were often replaced by Acute Matte screens.
Your screen is part number 42188.

 

[Ed Bray]

Paul,

I have got a screen (supposedly Hasselblad) that has a full 15mm diameter microprism centre circle (no split image). It is definitely brighter than my original Hassselblad screen but does not seem as bright as my Acumatte screen although I would say the microprism spot is actually brighter and very easy to acheive focus.

 

[polypal]

Hello Ed,

The screen you describe is not familiar with me which does not mean much.
The amount of braincells in my head is limited, most of them have been used.

I will have to check my library starting with Rick Nordins Hasselblad compendium to find information about the screen you describe.

Maybe it is about time I write a post with images about screens to answer questions users have.




Paul

 

[Ed Bray]

I've just done a pretty non-scientific test, I put the 503CX (this has the 15mm microprism spot screen) with 150mm CF on a tripod with my PME-3 prism and the reading was EV12, I then put the 500CM (this has a plain AcuMatte screen) on the tripod with the same 150mm lens focussed on the same point and the PME-3 Prism and got a reading of EV13.

So the screen with the 15mm Microprism spot is approximately 1 stop slower than the AcuMatte screen but actually easier to focus.

I also checked the focus scale when using both screens and the reading was the same for each.

 

[polypal]

Nothing wrong with the test, it shows the older non AM screen is less bright than the AM one.
When using the same metering prism it is easy to compensate for the difference.


As a rule brighter screens like Acute Matte ones make focusing easier.
Under certain circumstances the older first generation screens are the better choice.
Micro prisms or a split can be a great help to achieve correct focus.

As our eyes grow older it may be necessary to use a diopter correction with WLFs and prisms.
The value of this correction is not the value used for reading glasses.

 

[roguegeek]

Thanks to the help I got from Rick Nordins Hasselblad compendium I found that your screen
is the first non standard screen supplied by Hasselblad for the 500CM in 1971.

That makes it a first generation screen.
Those screens were not very bright and were often replaced by Acute Matte screens.
Your screen is part number 42188.

Wow Paul. Thanks for that! Definitely more information than I could have expected and I love that. Got one more for anyone who can name it. The one attached is the one that came with my 1980 500CM:


PN for screen corrected.
moderator

 

[Ed Bray]

I don't know the model number but that was the original standard screen that came with the early 500CM.

 

[polypal]

The screen with cross hairs is the first one for the 500CM.
Most 500C bodies were fitted with this screen in similar version for bodies without the option to change screens.


Part number? No idea. I have to look that up. Will be done as soon as I get home.

 

[roguegeek]

I don't know the model number but that was the original standard screen that came with the early 500CM.

Would this have been the original focus screen that would have came on my 1980 500CM, though? I feel like by then an Acute Matte screen would have been used.

 

[polypal]

This is screen 42161 fitted as standard to all bodies from 1971 till 1986.

In 1986 Acute Matte screens became available.
The first AM was 42165 which also has cross hairs.
Instead of screen printed cross hairs like the ones on the 42161 screen, the cross hairs of the 42165 are engraved.

 

[polypal]

Paul,

I have got a screen (supposedly Hasselblad) that has a full 15mm diameter microprism centre circle (no split image). It is definitely brighter than my original Hassselblad screen but does not seem as bright as my Acumatte screen although I would say the microprism spot is actually brighter and very easy to acheive focus.

If your screen with microprisms does not have a grid it is a Hasselblad screen with pn 42234.
If the screen also offers a grid it is Hasselblad screen 42250.

Sorry to disappoint you but both these screens have the same brightness as the 42161 screen
meaning they apply first generation screen technology.
The microprisms do help to focus.



Paul

 

[biglouis]

As our eyes grow older it may be necessary to use a diopter correction with WLFs and prisms.
The value of this correction is not the value used for reading glasses.

Paul

I'm still hemming and hawing about a 500 series body. I do wear glasses for reading - will I be able to focus wearing my glasses through a WLF or will I have to use a diopter correction lens of some kind?

LouisB

 

[Ed Bray]

I wear glasses and have no difficulty in focusing using either a WLF, Magnifying Hood (actually has dioptre correction built in) or prism finder.

In fact I find using a medium format camera easier with glasses than a FF or Crop factor DSLR.

 

[polypal]

Louis, Ed,


As far as I know Ed uses amongst other finders a chimney type finder that can be adjusted to his eyesight.

My technician showed me a calibrated adjustable finder that gave -1,5 for my eyes as optimum correction.
Like most people my age, whose arms are too short to read the newspaper, my reading glasses have +2 and
+ 2,5 diopter as correction value.

A later type WLF can be adapted to most correction values by mouting a correction lens in stead of the standard 0 diopter.



Sofar I have not heard from a user he could not find a solution to work with his 500 series camera because of the need to correct for his eyesight.
Keep in mind V series Hasselblad is the most versatile MF system that offers a choice of options for comfortable use of the camera.

I suppose Louis is based in the London area.
Why not find a user who can show you his 500 series camera and explain what possibilities a Hasselblad SLR camera offers you?
Most users wearing glasses have no problem to use the magnifier in the WLF with their glasses.
This should not keep you from using a 500 series camera.


Paul