Graphic and Graflok back  Graphic and Graflok back

Replacement of the Graflex Ground Glass Occurrances: # 1 You want a brighter ground glass instead of the standard ground glass. # 2 You've broken or damaged your ground glass. Solution: # 1 Make one yourself (can be done) # 2 Look for a Beattie intenscreen, Maxwell or Bosscreen. # 3 Have a look at our source ( Sheetfilm.be - Belgium) NOTE :: When your SG is delivered with a plain GG (most of the time) or with an extra Ektalite fresnel, keep in mind you can not just leave out the fresnel lens. In a Graflok back, the position of the Fresnel screen is taken into account in the construction of the back, so removing the lens or trading its position with the ground glass will cause focusing errors. If you want to replace the whole assembly you must shim your new groundglass. With the earlier Graphic back replacement is safe .

Considerations:: A bright ground glass is what we want all the time to make focusing as smooth as smooth can be. Many suppliers claim they have the solution. With or without fresnel lenses integrated. Remember, those are made for photogs with lenses where the largest aperture is around f 5.6. A perfect GG is not about brightness alone, but also about contrast. Strange enough, we tend to forget our Aero Ektar has an aperture of f2.5. So, stop looking and forget those expensive Ground Glasses around! Even with the standard ground glass we will see a much brighter image than our colleagues without an Aero Ektar.(2.5 stops at least) The good news, we have found a supplier in Belgium (GVB) making a variety of groundglass types at a fraction of the cost! We did test the plain groundglass and the "LumiGrid". Snippet from the WebSite of GVB: What is a Lumigrid™ ? We developed the Lumigrid™ especially for those photographers that are in doubt between purchasing a gridded or a plain groundglass. The Lumigrid™ is a transparant, colourless and discreet grid applied in the grinded side of the groundglass. It only takes a slight mental switch to think it is not there and focus on the overall aesthetics of the composition. If you want to check the verticals or horizontals of the composition, they pop into view as you think of them. But, this is only one advantage! The grid is only part of the name, so what has the first half - lumi - has to do with it? lumi stands for luminosity. The Lumigrid™ also enhances the overall brightness of the groundglass. As a standard GVB groundglass is already a full stop brighter than other - for legal reasons we can't say names... - factory made ground glass, the gain is double! End Snippet. As I broke my GG lately, I was in need of a new GG without delay. First of all I was looking for a replacement the same minute by replacing a GG from my other cameras temporarely. As already expected...No luck. It is no use crying over spilled milk, I had to accept this camera was out of order till I had ordered and received the replacement GG. The first 4 images will show to you the different types of GG's are in my other cameras. As can be seen the blacklined grids are very visible at all times. FYI, etched grids can come Blacklined and Silverlined... Surfing the Internet, I came to learn of a new supplier I've never heard of and decided to order and write down my findings for others to benefit from it.

4x5 BosScreen gridded GG  45 BOSSCREEN

45 Bosscreen Gridded GG BosScreen: Showing GG from my Wisner TD. Works very well on my Wisner especially with plasmats having a starting aperture of f9 and less. Unfortunately the size of the GG differs from the Speed Graphic. Uniformity in GG's would be heaven. Pity I could not try it,however it would be too bright for the Aero Ektar anyhow. On with the search... On the image I've made you can see and feel this GG is very bright indeed.

4x5 Tachihara Screen gridded GG  45 Tachihara Screen

45 Tachihara Gridded GG TachiharaScreen: Showing GG from my Tachihara Field. No luck..Also this screen had odd dimensions. Interchangeability seems not existent. This GG consists of two parts i.e The actual GG with clipped corners and a second clear plastic screen with grid. The Tachihara GG does not the deliver the brightness of the Bosscreen.

4x5 Ektalite Screen GG  45 Ektalite Screen

45 EKTALITE GG EKTALITE: Showing complete GrafLok back with Ektalite fresnel lens.

4x5 Linhof Master Technika GG  45 Linhof Super Technika

45 Linhof Technika Special GG Technika 45 Screen: Showing GG from my Technika. No grid, just blacklined etched marks instead of silverlined. Markings 4x5 (whole screen), 9x12 and 5x7

THE REPLACEMENT GG I mentioned this before, none of my GG's from other owned cameras were interchangeable with the Pacemaker. Fortunately only a minor nuisance as I ordered the replacements at GVB in Belgium. Well here they are: If you are in need of a replacement, don't look any further...!

GVB Plain GG GVB Plain GG  GVB Plain ground glass for Speed Graphic

GVB Plain ground glass for Speed Graphic Wanted: # 1 You want a brighter ground glass instead of the standard ground glass. This is the one you need if you want a standard GG, no grid and a very acceptable brightness (especially with your Aero Ektar) Replace the GG by unscrewing the GG clamps on each side. Remove the old GG and insert the new GG. ( satin surface towards the lens), replace the clamps. Screen is about 1 stop brighter as the good old Graflex GG. First view on the replaced GVB Ground Glass proved the statements on the GVB website. With this combination working is a pleasure. If you look through the hood the screen looks like a large Ipod Screen :-) Correct placement of the fresnel lens? The correct placement for fresnel lenses is the garbage can....partially true. (I myself don't need them) It all depends if your Speed Graphic came with or wihout fresnel. Generally speaking the Pacemaker Graphics came with Ektalite mounted. When earlier SG's came with a fresnel, it is an aftermarket action.(Correct placement should be on the back, closest to the photographer that is!). All other instances, the camera is designed for an inside fresnel. In this case the fresnel should be between the taking lens and the Ground Glass. Drop in the fresnel with the grooved side up, next place the frosted surface of your GG in contact with the grooved surface of the fresnel. Place the GG clips. If you want to get rid of the fresnel, you have to shim your GG (1/3 of the thickness of the fresnel) Your camera had no fresnel and you deliberately want one....Drop the satin side of your new GG in first, next drop the fresnel lens with the grooved site towards the taking lens.

GVB LumiGrid GG GVB LumiGrid GG  GVB LumiGrid for Speed Graphic

GVB LumiGrid for Speed Graphic Wanted: # 1 You want a brighter ground glass and gridded instead of the standard ground glass. Out of the box: This GG is precisely crafted. The GG can also be ordered with a clipping of your choice. GVB recommends a clipping of 10mm. The company has the dimensions for the SG groundglass ( 100x122mm). Replacement gave no problems and resulted in a nice fit. Clipping? What is it? Clipping means the corners are cut off. With the corners cut-off it is possible to see if any vignetting will occur. As the SG has very limited movements clipping is not necessary. Replace the old GG with the Lumigrid (Satin side towards the lens). You're ready for a new experience.... Screen is about 1 stop brighter as the good old Graflex GG. Unfortunately the Grid is not showing in this photograph as it is completely translucent and takes the color of the background. It is indeed a nice solution and quite different from the black grid. (less disturbing and it can be seen when you must see it !) Once mounted on the Pacemaker the grid can be seen when you're needing it, moreover it does not disturb your view otherwise. I like this Lumigrid much more than the BosScreen. Just in one word? a MUSTHAVE :-)

Conclusion/Recommendation:: Instead of going into technical details and differences, I will stick to the empirical approach. As already mentioned a bright ground glass is what we want all the time to make focusing a little easier. We are spoiled already focusing at f 2.5. Both ground glass types are looking awesome together with the Aero Ektar. Close down two stops and its brightness is still remarkable compared to the standard groundglass supplied by Graflex or the pre-owner :-) After trying and working with both types I can wholeheartedly recommend both types as your next replacement! Click logo to visit GVB Belgium Online ordering possible and Paypal payments accepted.

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