Maxwell Focusing Screen Durability

[cg]

I am thinking about getting one of Bill's screens but I want to ask

how durable they are. Are they as durable as Hasselblad Screens? With

the H screens the top part is smooth like glass and very easy to

clean when it gets full of dirt. Just wipe it clean with a soft

cloth. Are Bill's screens the same or do they have textured fresnel

top surface that are easily damaged?

[richard_fateman]

I don't know about the Hasselblad replacement screen,

but I have a rollei 3.5E replacement screen (this is

a model of rollei TLR that requires some disassembly to

remove the waist-level finder to get to the ground-glass).

 

In this case the fresnel top surface is exposed and is

delicate.

 

RJF

[jerry_lehrer]

Chris

 

All the H'blad (and Mamiya) replacment screens that I have seen, have

a protective glass cover over the Fresnel surface. The Rollei

TLR and SLR screens from Maxwell would have the Fresnel surface unprotected. Beattie screens for Rolleis have the same condition.

 

Just be very careful cleaning them.

 

Jerry

[jason_b.]

I have one of Bill's screens for my 4x5. It has a protective glass

cover, and after a year of thrashing (albeit with a rubber coated

loupe) it is fine. He makes great stuff, and even if not regularly

supplied with glass, he could probably add one or something.

Give him a call - he knows a ton about this stuff and loves to talk.