[This has now turned into Pt 1 of 2 - the second instalment having recently been posted]
Getting a Rolleiflex TLR isn’t just a matter of buying (or if you’re really lucky, inheriting) a camera body. There are a number of accessories that you will need or are highly recommended. I will discuss those and the likely cost in a later blog, because it soon adds up. Today, I want to talk about an upgrade that you might wish to consider because I did not find much guidance online when I was looking at doing this particular upgrade.
The original focusing screens on a Rolleiflex TLR do a job, and for the first few months I got by okay. However most forums talk about how the focusing screens in other medium format cameras tend to be relatively brighter and clearer. One name is commonly mentioned as a great upgrade for the Rolleiflex and that is the Maxwell Screen, produced by Bill Maxwell at Maxwell Precision Optics in the USA. Because I had managed to get my camera body cheaper than expected, I had some money left in the budget, so contacted Bill to order a screen. These are not cheap screens - mine ran at US$353 (inc ‘rule of thirds’ lines inscribed and p&p but excl. import taxes) - however, so far it has been well worth it. Let me explain.
First off, Bill is fantastic. I think he recognises the investment that you are making, but also naturally cares deeply about you buying the correct screen both for your camera and the style of photography you favour. My conversations with him over the telephone were exactly what I needed. He steered me away from the less bright screen with a split focusing prism in the middle (which was the style of my original screen) since when composing a portrait, the eyes will rarely be in the middle of the image anyway so there might be some loss of focus. So he suggested I get his brightest screen - the HI-LUX Micro/Split RF - which he also generally recommended for people who wear glasses. I had my reservations about not having the focusing prism - I was used to a similar converging lines system in my Leica rangefinder, and found it reassuring - however I really did not need to worry since sure enough I have found I can easily see on the HI-LUX when things pop into focus.
Second, he made sure I knew I would be able to fit the screen. I have a Rolleiflex TLR 2.8 E2 which has a focusing screen holder that can be released and raised so that the screens can slide in and out of retaining guides on the sides and top. My understanding is that later models, such as the F’s, have the same system. The basic steps can be seen in the following photos - it really is simple, but as Bill’s instructions rightly point out, you will need to handle the screen carefully on the edges during the operation, and make sure you get the matt side facing down.
1) After removing the focusing shade, pull back the screen holder using the serrated grip markings on the side to assist.
2. Lift up the holder.
3. Free the screen from the tiny black thin metal retaining guides and slide the screen out. This is fiddly but not impossible. Reverse the process to install the new screen.
Third, once fitted there is a noticeable difference in brightness and contrast. the vignetting of the original screen is gone, as is the grainy sooty image. It really is light and day in real life. I wanted to share some photos for people to see this. I had planned to use my Sony A7iii but my lenses wouldn’t co-operate to get a usable image, so I’m afraid these are just photos taken on an iPhone but it is enough for you to see a difference.
First I tried the screens in the back garden on a sunny day. In these images I was surprised at how, on first impressions, the old screen was actually quite bright. However, on closer inspection the image is less sharp, somewhat gritty, and there is less contrast in the bushes. The Maxwell Screen gives a far smoother, film-like image, with good contrast and brightness.
Original Rolleiflex Focusing Screen
Maxwell HI-LUS Micro/Split RF with Rule of Thirds. NB the wind is blowing the trees in the background, but look closely at the concrete fence post to see a marked difference.
I did, though, want to take comparison photos in more controlled lighting so moved inside and upstairs and took these two shots of my Slim Jim Banjo and guitar. These really seem to emphasise the differences described above. For example, the strings on the banjo are far more discernible on the Maxwell Screen.
Original Rolleiflex Screen
Maxwell HI-LUX Micro/Split RF with Rule of Thirds
So I know this isn’t scientific, and I realise I could have used a better camera to take the shots, but take it from me, the Maxwell Screen is a significant upgrade. I’m not going to say if it is worth the money - it was for me, but it might not be for you. I plan to order a Rick Oleson screen which represents a mid-price point upgrade, and will do some comparison shots then, and of course put that in a new blog.
Hope this helps! Thanks for visiting and do contact me if you have any questions.
**UPDATE (25th Jan 2020)** - Rick Oleson screen purchased and a blog comparing this to the Maxwell screen has now been written and published on this website.
Don’t rush away, stay a while on the website and feel free to check out the photos in my galleries many of which were taken with this camera, or check out my other blogs. Cheers! Edward.