Focomat 1 magnification scale

[megido]

Hi all
The illuminated magnification scale on my Focomat 1c has developed a fault.
Prior to the fault, the scale was constantly illuminated. Now it only illuminates when the bulb is turned on.
Is there some kind of relay within the wiring?
Thanks

 

[M.Hilo]

Are you sure your scale indicator was always lighting up?

Both my 1c and 2c have these indicators, and they switch on only when I turn on the enlarger bulb. Either while setting up or during exposures.

To be honest, I have always found it strange they light up during exposing. It makes more sense to have no light at all at that moment. My safe light also turns off while exposing . . .

Having said this, in 35 years of printing I never once used the scale indicator. I could of course take out the bulbs of the scale indicators, let's say I have had a weak spot for these useless-to-me X-mas tree devices . . .

 

[megido]

Yes, I'm positive the scale was permanently illuminated. So, it looks like it has corrected itself to how it was designed to work. Ie: only illuminates when the enlarger bulb is on. I think I will remove the whole assembly anyway, seems totally superfluous.

 

[M.Hilo]

Which 1c do you have? Black or grey? Some early versions may have worked like you had it before.

Just remove the small bulb from the indicator, if you do not want the light.

I realised I like having that light when making the exposure, because all other lights turn off when I start the exposure. It gives me orientation in the dark.

 

[megido]

I have a late grey version with white base.

 

[M.Hilo]

I have a late grey version with white base.

So do I.

I think the way it works now is how it is supposed to be. I was wrong before to say it would be more logic if it turns off while exposing. Probably this indicator scale was built to quickly bring your enlarger up or down to the decided indication number. To do that correctly, to fine tune, the bulb must be turned on during the entire operation.

Remember, this enlarger was used in many newspaper darkrooms, where speed was important. Perhaps that is what this device was all about.

Sometimes the indicator comes with the wrong bulbs, too bright! They need special bulbs, weird looking things which I believe are called signal bulbs . . . these take a moment to reach the full brightness, the light is soft and yellowish

 

[bence8810]

Hi guys,

Found this old thread and thought I post despite it being an old and seemingly abandoned stream.

On my IIc the magnification scale is always illuminated as soon as I give power to the enlarger (power up the timer).
It's the Mag scale that's always on and the little pull-out negative inspection tray. Well the tray is only really on when fully pulled out but it is under power along with the mag scale as long as the focomat is powered. The bulb (lamp) goes on when I move the timer into "focus" mode or when I enlarge by pushing the button.

Hope this makes sense and I think this is how it should work.
To prevent anything nasty I added a red plastic strip on top of the mag-scale and now the dim light it emits is also red so I should be ok.

A word of note though, I've never once used the mag scale despite the number of hours I put into rewiring and refurbishing it. I'd go as far as calling it entirely useless - but of course I love having it.

Ben

 

[Erik van Straten]

Indeed, the mag scale is totally useless, but it looks nice.

Do you have a Leitz enlarging board?

Erik.

 

[bence8810]

Indeed, the mag scale is totally useless, but it looks nice.

Do you have a Leitz enlarging board?

Erik.

I have two, one from a very early Focomat Ic that is all metal and 23mm tall (24x30cm) and the smaller amateur version which has a wooden block on the bottom and a thin metal sheet on top that can be optionally separated. When bolted together it's 25mm tall so perfect with both my Ic and IIc.

Ben