Replacing Focusing Screen on a Master Technika

I want to replace the Beattie screen on my 4x5 Master Technika with a

SatinSnow ground glass to see how the SatinSnow compares. Can anyone

who has switched screens on a Master Technika (or, I suppose, any

other model Technika) tell me whether changing from one screen to

another is an easy, straight-forward operation as it has been on

other cameras where I've done this or whether there are potential

problems I should watch out for, any special tools that are needed,

etc.?

 

I"m mostly concerned with just the mechanics of doing it, not with

the wisdom of doing it or with possible focusing problems after it's

done. I know how to check for foucsing after it's done and I have

both screens already so it isn't a question of which to buy, I just

don't want to bump into some strange Linhof/German over-engineered

gizmo or design that only the factory or Marflex has to know-how and

tools to handle.

 

I ask here first rather than just trying to do it because I'm going

on a lengthy photography trip in a couple weeks. I don't want to mess

things up and not be able to properly use either the Beattie or the

SatinSnow screen with insufficient time before the trip to get things

corrected.

Brian,

I've replaced screens on a couple of MTs without any problems. It seemed pretty simple to me.

Just put it together the way it comes apart. No special tools, just a flat head screw driver. I had to file the head of the screw driver down

to fit the screw slots. That actually took longer than replacing the screen.

Chris

Ever so often, a steel screw in a piece of aluminum will decide to stay put. Then when you take it out, either it breaks or brings the aluminum threads out with it.

 

People that have been taking little tiny screws out all their lives can usually tell by feel if they are going to have a problem.

 

If you break a screw you will probably have to send it to S.K Grimes to have it fixed.

 

The older the camera the more likely I would think that you would have a problem. However, I suspect that it is very unlikely that you would have the problem at all.

 

Some Japaneese manufacturers use a locking sealant on screws and if you don't either heat the screw or use a solvent to disolve the compound, you will break the screw for sure. However, I don't think Linhof does that.

 

If I were you, I would just remove the back and tape the new screen in place before I took any risk, no mater how small.

I just put a SatinSnow in my Tech III. Just a screwdriver. The ground glass is great.

This is an interesting and timely post. I am also going to replace the original ground glass on my MT with the Satin Snow glass. Though I have yet to receive it. Fortunately I have a second back on which I am going to try the new glass out on first. I am also a little nervous about doing this on a Linhof though in theory it should be a relatively simple process. How much better is this Satin Snow GG supposed to be than the original Linhof glass?

The Satin Snow is much better and brighter. I can use an 8x loupe on the glass and not

see the grit of the glass.