4x5 Screen comparison (Intrepid, Chamonix, Maxwell)

[younghoon Kil]

200860
Intrepid 4x5 MK4.

200861
Chamonix 45H-1.

200862
Maxwell Precision Optics's HI-LUX Extra Brilliant Matte 4.7 focus screen.

Sinar Sinaron-S 5.6/150mm MC lens.

[Oslolens]

I similar test was done by some friends if mine, and Wista was way better than other fresnel and standard ground glass. What I miss on my Chamonix 45N-2 is the lack of reflection on the Wista.

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[John Layton]

Yup...would have been good to have thrown a Wista screen into the above mix. I own a Wista screen and think its great...but at the end of the day I do prefer my Maxwell's!

[dodphotography]

200860
Intrepid 4x5 MK4.

200861
Chamonix 45H-1.

200862
Maxwell Precision Optics's HI-LUX Extra Brilliant Matte 4.7 focus screen.

Sinar Sinaron-S 5.6/150mm MC lens.

Did you have to have the camera altered for the Maxwell to be installed?


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[younghoon Kil]

200878

200879

I used new clamp-down discs to install the Maxwell screen.

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

THanks for posting this. These are different screens on the back of your Chamonix? Which is easiest and most accurate to work with? I've used Maxwell screens on 2 MF cameras with good success. I'm also aware of http://www.stabitech.nl/Bosscreen.htm which may be easier to obtain. Now with a 45-F2 on order, this is a relevant question: Did removal of the native screen on your Chamonix do damage to the clamp-down discs? or did you just feel the need after wear and tear of use?

[Jeroen]

THanks for posting this. These are different screens on the back of your Chamonix? Which is easiest and most accurate to work with? I've used Maxwell screens on 2 MF cameras with good success. I'm also aware of http://www.stabitech.nl/Bosscreen.htm which may be easier to obtain. Now with a 45-F2 on order, this is a relevant question: Did removal of the native screen on your Chamonix do damage to the clamp-down discs? or did you just feel the need after wear and tear of use?
Stabitech is no longer in business I'm afraid.

[younghoon Kil]

200897
Original clamp-down disces.

200898
Original clamp-down disces.

200899
Modified clamp-down disces.


I have 45N-2 and 45H-1, I installed Maxwell on the 45N-2 back, but I use the original screen on the 45H-1.
I prefer Maxwell, but I also feel the original screen of the 45H-1 is good enough.
(But the 45H-1's focusing and locking mechanism is not as fast or comfortable as the 45N-2.)

Anyway, to install the Maxwell screen(two pieces of glass) on a 45N-2(or 45H-1) back, you need thickly machined clamp-down disces as shown in the picture above.

[nbagno]

There’s also a video comparison https://youtu.be/j_2kvBDg63s


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[younghoon Kil]

Modified clamp-down disces were made by Chamonix.

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

Thanks for all these posts. Interesting that Chamonix made the modified clamps. Direct contact with Hugo for these?

[younghoon Kil]

Direct contact with Hugo for these?


Yes! :D

[younghoon Kil]

243535

243536

243537

Schneider Apo-Symmar 5.6/210mm Lens.

- Intrepid 4x5 MK4 View Camera & basic focus screen(ground glass).
- Chamonix 45H-1 View Camera & basic focus screen(ground glass, fresnel lens, clear cover screen).
- Chamonix 45N-2 View Camera & Maxwell Precision Optics HI-LUX Extra Brilliant Matte 4.7 focus screen(ground glass + fresnel lens, clear cover screen).

[Michael Rosenberg]

I have been a long-time user of Maxwell screens, installing them on my Linhof tech camera, and then buying them for my 45N-1. For the latter I bought his regular screen and his screen for wide angle lenses, and mounted it in a second back. I made my own hold down clamps. I shot a lot of interior architectural images (see my web site), and they were invaluable. I tried other screens, and none functioned as well as the Maxwell.

Mike

[GoodOldNorm]

200860
Intrepid 4x5 MK4.

200861
Chamonix 45H-1.

200862
Maxwell Precision Optics's HI-LUX Extra Brilliant Matte 4.7 focus screen.

Sinar Sinaron-S 5.6/150mm MC lens.
Is the Maxwell screen ground with a finer compound? Is the Maxwell screen less opaque than the Intrepid and Chamonix screen? What is the best compound for making a DIY screen comparable to the Maxwell?

[tom43]

I have not had a chance to use a Maxwell screen, but according to Alan Brock‘s video it also comes with some drawbacks: Viewing angle is smaller, fresnel lines are stronger and could become distracting. Screens are not electronic devices and they cannot circumvent physics: Redirection of light in different way, but no amplification.