focus screen

[flashbulbman]

I am about to purchase another screen for my 500 ELM. The one I have is too dim for my 50 Distagon. I saw two that I like but I am confused as to which is brighter or better. The first is made by Hasselblad, called the Hasselblad Bright Screen. It has a clear looking spot in the middle. The second looks identical but is made by BRIGHTSCREEN. Which is the brighter? I like the center spot better than a split image.

 

[Victorh]

Good screens cost a lot of money.

The one you mentioned from Hasselblad as the "Bright Screen" one is a rare screen as it was only made for one year.
Not sure how much brigther it is.
I am too lazy to walk to the room where I keep my camera gear to pick one up and mesure the brightness.
US made Bright Screens have a good reputation and will do the job well with any Hasselblad camera.

Hasselblad supplied grighter screens made according to Minolta patents.
The first generation of these screens are called Acute Matte.
The later improved version is called Acute Matte "D"
D screens can be recognised by two small cut outs in the metal rim looking like a "D".
The improvement of the D screens lies in easier focusing in brightly lit subjects.





A selection of first generation Acute Matte screens.


Vic.

 

[flashbulbman]

Vic, I bought a Brightscreen brand on Ebay for $119. It is mint. I called Brightscreen and they wanted more than twice that for the same one new.
Here is the one I got. I am sure it will make focusing the 50 Distagon much easier.

 

[flashbulbman]

I forgot to ask the seller if it is easy to install. I guess it just drops in and you close the two side sliding retainers. Do you know which side it up or are they the same on both sides so it does not matter?

 

[Victorh]

Well done!

To install:

Remove the waist level finder.

Move the two clips that hold the screen away from the screen towards the outside of the body.

Turn the camera over while keeping a hand under the screen.
It should fall from the camera without extra effort.

Put the screen safely away and drop the new screen in the opening of the camera.
Check that the new screens seats on all corners in the body.

Refitting of the WLF will move the tabs back that will secure the new screen.



Vic.

 

[flashbulbman]

Thank you Vic. I also just ordered a 100 f3.5. I have another question so I am posting it in another thread.