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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Large Format / September 2005

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Fresnel screen

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Malcolm Stewart - 27 Sep 2005 11:01 GMT
I'm finding my way with 5x4 (or is it 4x5?) LF photography.  Have just got a
(1970s) 90mm f8 Super Angulon, and am wondering whether I'd benefit from
replacing my plain gg screen with a Fresnel type.  (It's sure dark in the
corners!  and I do have   a viewing cloth.)
My camera is an MPP MkVI (pre-International back change over), and the gg is
easily replaceable but there might be a thickness limitation.
Any advice welcomed - thanks.
Signature

M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm

Bob G - 27 Sep 2005 14:37 GMT
> I'm finding my way with 5x4 (or is it 4x5?) LF photography.  Have just got a
> (1970s) 90mm f8 Super Angulon, and am wondering whether I'd benefit from
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Milton Keynes, UK
> http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm

You'll definitely see a big improvement with all lenses, especially in
the wide angle range.

But you must be careful to preserve the exact focusing plane if you're
going to change viewing screens. There are several ways to make sure
and a Google search will yield a lot of information.
Bob Salomon - 27 Sep 2005 15:02 GMT
> > I'm finding my way with 5x4 (or is it 4x5?) LF photography.  Have just got a
> > (1970s) 90mm f8 Super Angulon, and am wondering whether I'd benefit from
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> going to change viewing screens. There are several ways to make sure
> and a Google search will yield a lot of information.

Easiest way is to place the Fresnel on top of the gg so it is on the
side that faces your eye. This makes no change in focus plane, can use
any thickness Fresnel and the fresnel can easily be removed when you
don't want to use it. This is where Linhof, Wista and Sinar place their
Fresnel screen.

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To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Mike - 27 Sep 2005 15:58 GMT
>> I'm finding my way with 5x4 (or is it 4x5?) LF photography.  Have just got a
>> (1970s) 90mm f8 Super Angulon, and am wondering whether I'd benefit from
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> You'll definitely see a big improvement with all lenses, especially in
> the wide angle range.

Yes, the fresnel is definitely brighter with the f8 90mm SA, but I removed
it and reinstalled my plain ground glass.  The fresnel lines get in my
way of focusing.  Ultimately a Maxwell screen would give me the best of
both worlds, but I haven't forked over the $200+ for it.
Richard Knoppow - 29 Sep 2005 17:36 GMT
> I'm finding my way with 5x4 (or is it 4x5?) LF
> photography.  Have just got a
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> limitation.
> Any advice welcomed - thanks.
  The focal length of the Fresnel lens must be right for
the focal length of the lens its used with or it can make
things worse. Most Fresnels are made for a "normal" focal
length lens. When used with a wide angle lens or with camera
movements it can make things worse. Generally a Fresnel
field lens will be less critical for longer focus lenses
than wide angle lenses but just any Fresnel may not work.

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---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

Malcolm Stewart - 29 Sep 2005 18:31 GMT
>    The focal length of the Fresnel lens must be right for
> the focal length of the lens its used with or it can make
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Los Angeles, CA, USA
> dickburk@ix.netcom.com

Many thanks for that piece of info.  It's arrived at a good time.
I'm going into London on Saturday, and will almost visit a few photo shops
where I may find a screen, and I'm certainly not taking my MPP or lenses
with me!

Signature

M Stewart
Milton Keynes, UK
http://www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm

Nicholas O. Lindan - 29 Sep 2005 18:34 GMT
> "Malcolm Stewart" <malcolm_stewart@megalith.freeserve.co.uk>
> > ... 90mm f8 Super Angulon ... replacing my plain gg
> > screen with a Fresnel type.  ... MPP MkVI ...

Things are going to be pretty dim just because of the f8
aperture.  Compare the SA to your regular lens @f8 - there
may not be all that much difference due solely to the
focal length.

> The focal length of the Fresnel lens must be right for
> the focal length of the lens its used with or it can make
> things worse.

And then there are three locations for the fresnel:

o in front of the GG, as in the Speed Graphic;

o molded into the GG, as in a 35mm SLR;

o in back of the GG, as in Sinar.

Not quite sure how this interacts with the lens FL.  The
Sinar GG is useless with a 65mm, but works OK with 90mm and
up.

If you are adding/removing the fresnel at the front of the
GG you have to reset the location of the GG.  I don't know
how the MPP mounts the fresnel.

I use a micro-fine GG in 35mm and the standard GG with a
reflex hood with the Sinar.  If you can exclude most of
the ambient light I think a plain -very fine- ground glass
gives the best overall performance.

The Speed Graphic with the normal lens and the front-mounted
ground glass has a very acceptable image using just the
flip-up hood.

"Satin Snow" ground glass gives a very bright image and
has a loyal following here in the US, though manufacturing/
delivery has been erratic.

Signature

Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer:  Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix  . netcom . com
Fstop timer -  http://www.nolindan.com/da/fstop/index.htm

LR Kalajainen - 29 Sep 2005 22:54 GMT
My Wista DX came with a fresnel lens already laminated to the
groundglass.  In that form, it is not a problem with a 90mm lens, though
I begin to see some difficulty in the corners especially, with a 65mm
lens.  My guess is that with a 90, you'll be OK.

>  
>
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>
>  
 
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