The clarity will vary wildly from unit to unit depending on how clean the mirror is and the condition of the fresnel, so maybe you're lucky there. It's the lack of a focusing aid that really gets to me, more than anything.
I'm considering getting one of these for my pentacon six, but I'm pretty sure I'll have to find someone to install it for me. The installation and calibration looks absolutely like something I won't get right...
It would be much easier with an SLR! Set the camera on a tripod, then make sure the lens is set to infinity and pointed to infinity. Adjust the screen so infinity is in sharp focus, and every other distance should be too. Any error in calibration is more obvious at father focusing distances.
im in desperate need of some help, i tried replacing the focusing screen of my 124g yesterday but i cant seem to get the hood springs back into their place, they hood wont snap into place when opened or closed... do you have any advice?
A friend of mine had the same issue and they're a bit fiddly. I can't attach images here but if we call the part that clips into the notch the "arm" and the other part (which will point upwards once the hood is reinstalled) the "leg"... Rotate the hood spring so the arm is pointing away from the side panel, towards the opposite corner to the one in which you're inserting it. Insert the arm, making sure to latch it into that little cutout in the corner. Then, rotate it to move the arm towards the side panel and notch it into place. It's hard to describe and it can be quite fiddly.
@@Shaka1277 thank you so much, having had less coffee and with your advice i managed to get it all back together lets see if the cheap chinese focusing screen is worth anything, i left the ground glass in :)
Is electrical tape recommended? Over time electrical tape tends to degrade and "melt", so it may not keep the offset of the focusing screen but also make a mess on the focusing screen and camera.
Have you ever tried replacing or resilvering the surface mirror in a TLR or SLR? I have a lovely Flexaret which is very difficult to use as the mirror isn't really much of a mirror anymore... and I'm not sure of the best way to repair it.
I'm absolutely terrified of even touching a mirror to be honest. I've read that the 124G mirror is on the softer side which is why I haven't even used an optic tissue.
I suspect that it depends which focusing screen you buy as to what results you get. I replaced the screen in my Yashica last year with a split focusing screen from China. It focuses, but the results are underwhelming, being no better than what was there already...
Thanks, I needed that video, I bought a replacement screen years ago to replace the original one but never got around to doing it now if I can only find the new one.
Had no idea this upgrade was available. I acquired a Mat 124G just last month and now I'm very interested in doing this 😮
You can change any focusing screen with enough effort 😅
I expected replacing the screen to be more awkward but honestly seemed grand, just need to make sure its resting correctly. Great video!
Very good video Alex, i might try with my yashica 635! Thanks for this video!
I might have to try this on my two Rolleicords.
Interesting!
I find the focusing screen on my 124g to be clear and usable so I have had no reason to upgrade it.
The clarity will vary wildly from unit to unit depending on how clean the mirror is and the condition of the fresnel, so maybe you're lucky there. It's the lack of a focusing aid that really gets to me, more than anything.
Hey! Do you remember which side the original focusing screen goes in ? :) I want to go back to stock one from Brightscreen ...
I'm considering getting one of these for my pentacon six, but I'm pretty sure I'll have to find someone to install it for me. The installation and calibration looks absolutely like something I won't get right...
It would be much easier with an SLR! Set the camera on a tripod, then make sure the lens is set to infinity and pointed to infinity. Adjust the screen so infinity is in sharp focus, and every other distance should be too. Any error in calibration is more obvious at father focusing distances.
I can see myself taking my 124 to the camera repair store and dropping it there for the screen change. 🤣
im in desperate need of some help, i tried replacing the focusing screen of my 124g yesterday but i cant seem to get the hood springs back into their place, they hood wont snap into place when opened or closed... do you have any advice?
A friend of mine had the same issue and they're a bit fiddly. I can't attach images here but if we call the part that clips into the notch the "arm" and the other part (which will point upwards once the hood is reinstalled) the "leg"...
Rotate the hood spring so the arm is pointing away from the side panel, towards the opposite corner to the one in which you're inserting it. Insert the arm, making sure to latch it into that little cutout in the corner. Then, rotate it to move the arm towards the side panel and notch it into place.
It's hard to describe and it can be quite fiddly.
@@Shaka1277 thank you so much, having had less coffee and with your advice i managed to get it all back together
lets see if the cheap chinese focusing screen is worth anything, i left the ground glass in :)
Fab, delighted you were able to sort it!
Is electrical tape recommended? Over time electrical tape tends to degrade and "melt", so it may not keep the offset of the focusing screen but also make a mess on the focusing screen and camera.
It isn't anywhere near the screen itself, but I'll keep an eye on it in case it does degrade; thanks!
Have you ever tried replacing or resilvering the surface mirror in a TLR or SLR? I have a lovely Flexaret which is very difficult to use as the mirror isn't really much of a mirror anymore... and I'm not sure of the best way to repair it.
I'm absolutely terrified of even touching a mirror to be honest. I've read that the 124G mirror is on the softer side which is why I haven't even used an optic tissue.
I suspect that it depends which focusing screen you buy as to what results you get. I replaced the screen in my Yashica last year with a split focusing screen from China. It focuses, but the results are underwhelming, being no better than what was there already...
That must be quite annoying! I hope it wasn't too expensive.
@@Shaka1277 no, but I didn't know about Rick Olsen at the time. Buyer beware I guess.
Thanks, I needed that video, I bought a replacement screen years ago to replace the original one but never got around to doing it now if I can only find the new one.
im too clumsy to do that
Fresnel is pronounced "Frennel", it's from the name of a French scientist.
I know, but almost half the time I say it, people don't understand. Just covering my bases.