A better ground glass?

[paul ron]

I don't know where I saw this but it looked like something worth telling you about. It's suposed to be a better, finer ground glass. Check it out, the site address is...

http://www.satinsnowglass.com/html/products.html

[bobfowler]

I've been using a "Satin Snow" GG on my Eastman 5X7 since the middle of April, I love it! The glass is at least a full stop brighter than my old "stock" GG (by measurement with my Luna Pro F) and much finer grained. Dave did a great job at clipping the corners 7/8" to fit my camera's back. His product and workmanship are top notch. I bought a second one as a spare and tossed my stock glass in the circular file.

[Sjixxxy]

I have two being made up for me right now. Haven't received them yet so I can't comment on the quality, but the price is damn good!

[DrPhil]

Just placed an order. The price is certainly right!

[John McCallum]

Looks great, would be v tempting if I hadn't just shelled out the big bucks for a Fresnel :(

Interesting to know "Our Glass is the finest ground glass value on the market with several satisfied users"

Hopefully they'll sell some to APUG'ers and be able to change the wording to "...with quite a few satisfied users" ;)

[Shesh]

Now...Here is a newbie question for you all: What does "clipped corners" mean? If it means cutting away the corners a few mm towards the center, why is it done?

[Mateo]

Clipped corners make it very easy to tell when you are vignetteing from too much movements or bellows sag.

[Flotsam]

Looks great, would be v tempting if I hadn't just shelled out the big bucks for a Fresnel :(

How do you like the fresnel? I used one at a place I worked and loved it while setting up the shot and composing but got frustrated when it came time to loupe it.

[John McCallum]

How do you like the fresnel? I used one at a place I worked and loved it while setting up the shot and composing but got frustrated when it came time to loupe it.Exactly the same for me! Great for composing, and I try and do all focussing before using the ground glass - just to check. It got better when I stopped using the 8x loupe and went back to the 4x. Thing is, I love shooting in low light - sunrise, on or just after sunset and at night as well. Fresnel helps with all these situations :)

[John McCallum]

Clipped corners make it very easy to tell when you are vignetteing from too much movements or bellows sag.
Aaaaahhhhhh - thats what those are for :o ! Thank you Mateo.

[bobfowler]

In the case of my Eastman #2, the way that the focus panel is rabbeted for the glass requires a 7/8" corner clip. I wish it were less, and even though I could change it, I'm not about to permanently alter a 90 year old camera.

[Konical]

Good Evening,

The clipped corners also make focusing easier. Without them, the camera is somewhat air-tight, which means the air inside is either being slightly compressed or a weak vacuum effect occurs, depending on which way the focusing adjustment is being made.

Konical

[Flotsam]

I love shooting in low light - sunrise, on or just after sunset and at night as well. Fresnel helps with all these situations :)

I've never taken my Toyo out in those conditions. I'll bet that the fresnel is worth it's weight in gold in those low light situations.

[bobfowler]

I've never taken my Toyo out in those conditions. I'll bet that the fresnel is worth it's weight in gold in those low light situations.

I have the fresnel kits in all three of my Toyo 4X5 cameras (a D45A, D45M, and a 45E). They are absolutely the greatest when working with wide angle lenses, and almost a necessity when using something as short and slow as a 65mm f/8 Super Angulon.

[Murray@uptowngallery]

If one has clipped corners (a deformed octagon), what does one see in the corners with no ground glass there? Does this have anythign to do with an 'aerial image'? If so, what is that? (In case you can't tell, theses are obviously newbie questions).

A spin-off question -

Is anyone bothered by glare off the shiny side of ground glass? My darkcloth wasn't dark enough (a jacket) and I kept seeign myself as I tried to loupe my glass (this was a quick thrown-together cardboard box & glass to test a hybrid homebrew lens).

Thanks

[wfwhitaker]

If one has clipped corners (a deformed octagon), what does one see in the corners with no ground glass there? Does this have anythign to do with an 'aerial image'?

The corner clip is small; just enough to peek through to take a look at the lens aperture. If you can see the entire aperture, then your format is covered. If part of the aperture is obscured, then coverage is compromised.

[roteague]

I have the fresnel kits in all three of my Toyo 4X5 cameras (a D45A, D45M, and a 45E).

How much difference do you see between the fresnel kit and the stock Toyo screen? I have a 45AII and considered replacing it with a Beattie IntenScreen, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the cost. I have a 90mm f8 Nikkor that gives me lots of problems; I can only focus if I remove all the filter first.

Thanks,

[bobfowler]

How much difference do you see between the fresnel kit and the stock Toyo screen? I have a 45AII and considered replacing it with a Beattie IntenScreen, but I wasn't sure if it was worth the cost. I have a 90mm f8 Nikkor that gives me lots of problems; I can only focus if I remove all the filter first.

Thanks,

It's really only necessary (for me) when I'm using slower wide angle lenses. Without the fresnel, I can see OK with my Ilex-Calumet 90mm f/8 Wide Field Caltar, but when I switch to my 65mm f/8 Super Angulon, it's absolutely necessary.

On the subject of the Satin Snow ground glass, I was using my 90mm W.F. Caltar on my 5X7 the other day. All I can say is WOW! I was pushing the coverage of the lens, but I was still bright and claer out to the corners - and with NO fresnel! I'm definately going to put a Satin Snow on all 3 of my Toyo 4X5 cameras.

[bobfowler]

The frensnel is also a bit plus when using a slow process lens. I use a 305mm f/9 APO-Nikkor as a long lens for portraiture. It makes focusing under the modeling lights a lot easier.

[ChuckP]

If one has clipped corners (a deformed octagon), what does one see in the corners with no ground glass there?

I don't like the clipped corners. The corners can be some of the most important parts of the image. I want to see them with no muss, fuss or excessive thought.