$5 page magnifier for ground glass fresnel lens

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I got a $5 page magnifier from ebay for my Burke and James 5x7 as a ground glass fresnel. It came today and I cut it to size and installed it. It works great! the only problem I have is that the plastic is soft not hard like my fresnel on my Sinar. I have a feeling that my loupe is going to scratch it. Buy hey, they're cheap! It shipped directly from China so it took a couple of weeks to get here to the US.

[EASmithV]

i thought the fresnel goes behind the GG

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I installed the fresnel on top of the ground glass like my Sinar F. Should I have installed it another way?

[Doremus Scudder]

Don't put an after-market Fresnel lens like you have between the ground glass and the lens. It should be installed on the viewing side of the ground glass.

A Fresnel lens will shift the focus somewhat. If it is installed between ground glass and lens, then the appropriate adjustment to the positioning of the ground glass needs to be made. Manufacturers who design cameras with Fresnel lenses in this position have taken this into account and/or will provide the correct shims when upgrading to the factory Fresnel.

You've installed yours correctly.

Best,

Doremus Scudder
www.DoremusScudder.com

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks Doremus! Just the naked ground glass is too dark for my old eyes.

Best,
Don

[BrianShaw]

Post #2 is the way it was done for the Graphic press cameras when originally equipped with an Ektalite (fresnel) -- a fairly unique set up I believe.

[wildbill]

Staples sells the same thing for about $8. I use one on my 8x10. There's also a guy who sells them cut to size on ebay for about $75.

[Ken Nadvornick]

Got mine at Staples, too. I'm using it with a Calumet C1 8x10. Cut to size, I temporarily stick it to the ground glass (between the glass and my eyes) for composing only. Then I remove it for critical focusing. For $8.00 the effect is dramatic. As if someone had turned on a giant fill light across the scene allowing me to suddenly see into the shadows.

In a discipline known for definitely NOT being for the faint of wallet, this has got to be the best bang-for-the-buck accessory you will ever find.

Ken

[Mainecoonmaniac]

this has got to be the best bang-for-the-buck accessory you will ever find.

Ken

I saw some fresnel/ground glass combinations that cost hundreds. For a few bucks, it does improve the brightness of the ground glass. I've used one on my Sinar for years. I can't deal with the darkness of my new 5x7 ground glass. It was painful to focus without a fresnel lens.

[EASmithV]

Post #2 is the way it was done for the Graphic press cameras when originally equipped with an Ektalite (fresnel) -- a fairly unique set up I believe.

Ah, that's what I was thinking of