I have a Super Speed Graphic is fair condition. The range finder does't work but that's ok because I would rather focus on the GG. my question, is it normal for SSG's to be dark? If not is there a solution. Focusing my Sinar F2 4X5 is easier because it seems brighter. I focus with the lens wide open and then adjust the aperture.
Hope this question makes sense...
Generalizations are made because they are Generally true...
A faster lens will make a difference here (that is, if the Sinar has an f/4.5 lens but the one on your Super is f/6.3, the Sinar will be about one stop brighter on the ground glass), but it's likely that the bigger difference is due to a Fresnel screen behind the ground glass in your Sinar. If that's the case, you can pretty easily add a similar Fresnel to the Super Speed.
If a contact print at arm's length is too small to see, you need a bigger camera. :D
No. The SSG has a Fresnel and should not be dark. Could it just be dirty? I once bought a used SSG only to discover that it was covered in smoke damage -- hope you didn't end up with it.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
Wilhelm is correct, it should have fresnel if all parts are there... But even that doesn't make it incredibly bright.
There is a fresnel. I will try cleaning the fresnel and the GG to see if that will brighten it a bit. Is there an after market fresenel that will work and brighten the view?
Generalizations are made because they are Generally true...
When you do that, clean carefully. The fresnel (Ektalite, I think it is called) is some sort of plastic. Don't use solvent. And make sure that it is re-assembled in the correnct order/orientation. I once tried an aftermarket fresnel on top of mine and it make focussing mroe difficult.
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