Contax 645 focusing Screen Replacement?

[benedmonson]

Just got my Contax 645 and the P30 will be here tomorrow. I'm in need of replacing the stock screen in my camera, its very dim and I shoot wide open alot. Just got off the phone with Bill Maxwell at Maxwell Precision Optics and am thinking seriously of ordering a custom screen from him.
Do any others use the camera with an other than stock screen, comments? I realize there will be a steep learning curve to shooting this combo wide open or near there, but I've got time to learn.

Cheers,
Ben Edmonson
www.benedmonson.com

[rainer_v]

please tell about the experience you will have with the custom made screens. i am not uncontent with the standard screen of the 645, but brighter is better.... so if possible i will buy also a brightscreen.

[vgogolak]

please tell about the experience you will have with the custom made screens. i am not uncontent with the standard screen of the 645, but brighter is better.... so if possible i will buy also a brightscreen.
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I have Bill Maxwell's custom screen for my Contax 645, and they are great (he even did the cropf or the earlier Kodak back I used.)I use a FF P45 now
I have had him do M8 screens as well.

Top quality, and 2 stop brighter is appears. Split gets dark at higher f lenses though (with ALL the enhancers. I have Brightscreens as well. Maxwell's seem better.)

Victor

[benedmonson]

thanks for the comments. I'm going ahead and having him do mine this week. He is putting in the crop lines for the P30 and lines in a grid of thirds based on the sensor size. I'll report back once I get it.

Ben

[mikeseb]

You've got me interested, Ben. I have not found the Contax's screen to be overly dim (compared to my poor D-70!) but as someone said, brighter is better.  

Biggest problem might be finding a finder screen for him to convert--unless he is making them entirely from scratch.

I'd like to get that #3 finder screen with its grid lines, and also have my creaking old ProBack's crop lines inscribed....never found the microprism screens of much use.

[benedmonson]

You've got me interested, Ben. I have not found the Contax's screen to be overly dim (compared to my poor D-70!) but as someone said, brighter is better. 

Biggest problem might be finding a finder screen for him to convert--unless he is making them entirely from scratch.

I'd like to get that #3 finder screen with its grid lines, and also have my creaking old ProBack's crop lines inscribed....never found the microprism screens of much use.
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Michael,
I'm having to send in my screen for him to finish process. the deal is under $300.00. It's only $225.00 if you don't want the extra lines, that's a good deal in my book!
Bill has said to me that the Contax 645 is his most requested mf screen, not bad for a dyeing system as most folks say!

Ben