
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2003 8:33 pm
The engraving on the freznel/Ektalite screen are supposed to be facing the ground glass. This is how graflex assembled the system. The lens is not supposed to be used by itself, but with the ground glass behind it. And the frosted side of the ground glass is supposed to face both the Ektalite and bellows/lens. So, looking at the GG through the viewing hood, the GG comes first with the clear side facing you. Then the Ektalite with the engravings facing the GG frosted side. Then the bellows & lens...
As for how bright the image appears, there's little you can do except for cleaning the Ektalite & GG. Plain soap & water is the best, and make sure they are completely dry before reassembling them!
The only other options would be moving to a lens with a larger arperture or trying one of the commercially available replacement freznel/GG panels. I doubt they would be much brighter. And make sure your lens is wide open when trying to view. Some people forget