I just got a Chamonix 45n-2 and really love the camera. Exactly what I was looking for and couldn't be more pleased with it.

EXCEPT

Not sure I'm into the fresnel. I've never really used one before. It feels like the image never gets really sharp for focusing, even with the loupe. I don't have a proper view camera loupe, I bought the cheap Peak 5x that someone here recomended, so it could be that the loupe is not properly focused on the ground glass.

Anyway, from reading a bit about the Chamonix and the Fresnels, it seems like it can only be replaced by the factory? Do I have that right? If I took off the Fresnel myself, would I be able to use the camera with just the groundglass? Would I be able to replace the Fresnel myself?

Thanks
Paul