I've put a BosScreen on all but one of the six large format cameras I've
owned including an 8x10 Deardorff. I like them better than a Fresnel for two
reasons. First, since they lack the lines of a Fresnel they are considerably
easier to foucs. My present Ebony has a Fresnel and it's nice and bright for
composition but trying to focus it with a loupe is driving me crazy. I
ordered a BosScreen for it from Bromwell about four months ago but it hasn't
come in yet. Second, the BosScreen doesn't give you the "bright hole
surrounded by black" that a Fresnel sometimes does with wide angle lenses
(unless the Fresnel is designed for a wide angle lens, which most aren't).

The BosScreen isn't a true "bright screen" but it has much the same effect
because it spreads the image out evenly across the screen so that viewing
becomes easier than with a standard ground glass. There is a theoretical
problem with the wax melting in high temperatures but I've used mine in
Florida summers with the temperature in the mid 90s and humidity about the
same without a problem. Death Valley in July or something like that might be
a problem, I don't know.

Calumet sells a BosScreen/Fresnel combination so I guess they can be used
together, I've never found a need to do so.

Fre
"Jos. Burke" wrote in message
...
I recently picked up a very nice but not perfect Linhof Master Technica
(4x5) $1300 (not bad for a Master Tech)). I must say it is very fast and
easy to set up compared to my Deardorff 4x5 Special plus more compact for
backpacking (My main interest in the Linhof). It included the 4x5 Reflex
viewer which I really like. I still really like my Deardorff as it has
much
better movements but which I rarely use. I can also use the Deardorff (22
inches of bellows) for portraiture with longer lenses as opposed to the
more
limited 16 of bellows on the Linhof. Over time I'm sure the pros and cons
of
each will show up more extensively. Lets not get into a Tele-lens
discussion! My biggest gripe!!! The Linhof has the standard ( I assume) GG
with Super Screen. The/My Deardorff has a Maxwell GG with fresnel
(Brilliant
as Bill calls it!!) . WOW!! What a difference!! The Linhof screen is a
focusing dud and is no comparison to the Maxwell in terms of brightness,
contrast, or graininess. I guess I'll have to give Bill Maxwell a call
(when
I have 45 minutes or so to burn!!Ha Ha!!! : -) BUT I wonder about the
BossScreen in terms of ease of focus as the BossScreen is (or so I've
read!)
not a true GG but parafin sandwiched between glass. Hmmmm! any users
here!!!
AND can the BossScreen be used with a fresnel????
Yes!! Bill Maxwell has spoiled me regarding fresnels and GG!!!!
J Burke