Focomat condenser question

[megido]

I'm looking to replace the condenser in my 1c. I have found what looks like a clean example which has 'N' stamped on the barrel. I'm assuming this is to denote anti newton glass. Could anyone confirm this?
Thank you in advance

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica literature from the seventies tells me that the 17 652 "N" condensor of the Focomat Ic needs the special Anti-Newton-disk with the 3mm spacing ring, so in itself it is not an anti-Newton device.

These disks are hard to find.

Maybe you can try to install a condensor from a Valoy II, these have an anti-newton condensor, recognizable by the matted pressure surface. The Valoy II can be found very cheap.

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

I have always wondered what the N stands for, and have always (jokingly) called it North !

But Erik is correct in saying this does not denote anything to do with AN glass. All 1c condensers are clear and need the dedicated AN glass with the spacer.

It is easy to fabricate something to prevent Newton rings, from black carton or black pvc sheet . . .

The Valoy II condenser won't fit, it is quite a bit smaller.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Valoy II condenser won't fit, it is quite a bit smaller.

Apart from the autofocus, the Focomat Ic and the Valoy II are about the same enlarger. Both are now available for silly prices, at least in my country. If I were you I would look for a late Valoy II (grey head with a red nameplate) and forget about the anti-newton-adapter. The condensor of the later Valoy II is anti-newton.

When you lift the top of the lamphouse, you'll see the top of the condensor-housing. When you use filters, you can simply put them there. I have done this for many years.

The Valoy II works great with an EL-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8. This fast lens is easier to focus than a Focotar f/4,5.

Erik.

 

[megido]

Thank you for your help. I have found someone offering the said AN ring but with 2 not 1 spacer. Is this correct? I always thought the AN ring needed just one spacer to adjust for the difference in height once the ring is installed.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you for your help. I have found someone offering the said AN ring but with 2 not 1 spacer. Is this correct? I always thought the AN ring needed just one spacer to adjust for the difference in height once the ring is installed.

Maybe there is a difference between different models. I would say: better to have two than one.

Erik.

 

[megido]

I have the last model with white base board and filter tray. Erik, do you have any price lists or info mentioning 2 spacers?

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have always wondered what the N stands for,

Maybe it means "new" or "neu" and indicate that they will not fit the really old Leitz enlargers. These are very old and date back from 1932.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I have the last model with white base board and filter tray. Erik, do you have any price lists or info mentioning 2 spacers?

I have a catalogue from 1976, about the time the Ic was discontinued. Only one "Zwischenring für Beleuchtungslinse N" is mentioned, 17 652.

Erik.

 

[megido]

Thank you Erik, very helpful as always. Maybe just one of the rings will be sufficient for my late 1c. I would consider using a Valoy as you do ie: putting filters in the lamp house but the 1c filter tray is so convenient especially for split grade printing. Did you ever try to use the valoy condenser in the 1c?

 

[Erik van Straten]

When doing split grade printing the drawer is very convenient. Take care that the enlarger does not move when changing filters.

Personally I do not have a Ic, but I've worked quite a lot on them. I now only have a Valoy II and a Focomat IIc. I only use the IIc nowadays.

Split grade is not possible with a Valoy II because there is a risk that the enlarger moves when changing filters.

Erik.

 

[megido]

So the IIc will not move when changing filters?

 

[Erik van Straten]

So the IIc will not move when changing filters?

No, the enlarger is extremely heavy, but the filter drawer moves ultra smooth. This enlarger is very sturdy and rigid, but moves very smooth. Really a wonderful thing.

Split grade printing is no problem at all.

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

The Focomat 1c came standard with a very thin (at the most half a millimeter) ring for the condenser to rest on. The AN glass was optional and so was its 3mm spacer ring.

Megido, it is very easy to miss the thin spacer ring and I would not be surprised it's there in your enlarger. Take out the condenser and feel the ridge with your fingers.

I have seen many 1c's with both rings. When people use the 3 millimeter ring they just leave the thin spacer there too . . . I do too.

Between my spare Focomat parts I have a new in the box AN glass and it includes the 3mm spacer ring. Both packed in separate plastic bags. That's how it was sold.

Placing filters on the condenser works fine of course, but I don't like it as you bring inside extra dust. Also, with the 1c it is easy to move the bulb system out of its alignment. Other people use my enlargers and taking the top half off is not something I would let them do.

The filter trays are great and, like Erik says, the 2c filter tray operates the smoothest. Partly because you pull it towards you, not push it sideways like with the 1c. If the tray of your 1c is not easy to push out, have a look why that is. Many times a ridge by the inside of the slot needs to be pushed a bit, or a bit of Vaseline will help.

Finally, once you do get the AN glass set up, be careful with one thing: when taking out the condenser for occasional cleaning FIRST remove the AN glass. If you don't it will fall down when you pull up the condenser and generally it falls on the pins of your negative mask . . .

 

[Erik van Straten]

Placing filters on the condenser works fine of course, but I don't like it as you bring inside extra dust. Also, with the 1c it is easy to move the bulb system out of its alignment. Other people use my enlargers and taking the top half off is not something I would let them do.

All very true. However, the bulb fixing system inside a Valoy II is more solid than the three small screws on a Ic, but the Valoy II needs a small bulb; these are hard to get without a stamping facing downward.

Erik.

 

[megido]

The Focomat 1c came standard with a very thin (at the most half a millimeter) ring for the condenser to rest on. The AN glass was optional and so was its 3mm spacer ring. .

Hilo, thank you for this very helpful info. This explains the '2 spacer' query. The thin spacer being a standard part of the 1c and the 3mm being a part if the AN glass kit. I seem to be missing the former. I'm not with the 1c at the moment but I seem to recall that the condenser in my 1c sits in the lamp housing without the thin spacer. I will check.

 

[megido]

All very true. However, the bulb fixing system inside a Valoy II is more solid than the three small screws on a Ic, but the Valoy II needs a small bulb; these are hard to get without a stamping facing downward.

Erik.

Erik, just out of curiosity, which bulb do you use that gives even illumination with the Valoy?

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, just out of curiosity, which bulb do you use that gives even illumination with the Valoy?

I used a Philips Photocrescenta 75 watt. I do not think these are still available (but some dealers will have them in stock). However, these bulbs are in fact too big for a Valoy; the illumination is quite uneven. A Valoy needs a small round bulb, not a pear-shaped one. I never was been able to surface one of those, one of the reasons that I bought a Focomat IIc about fifteen years ago.

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

Basically we had short neck and long neck opal bulbs, in 75 and 150 watt. The short neck bulbs worked well in the Valoy II and the long neck in the 1c and 2c.

Probably somewhere in the eighties the short neck bulbs were phased out and they became difficult to find. Not impossible, I have a good number of spares.

I only use the 150 watt bulbs, this because I print a lot 50X60 (20X24). For smaller sizes the 75watt will be fine.

The good news: Dr. Fisher since last year is making the short versions again. For sure in 150 watt and I imagine also in 75 watt. They are phasing out the long neck versions, which I believe to be a good choice as the short neck bulbs should work in all enlargers. I have asked the opinion of some people and this is the general consensus.

The difference is roughly 1cm in length: 10cm short neck and 11 cm long neck. You will need to check with your supplier what they have in stock . . . If I remember well, buying from Fisher direct is possible.

 

[megido]

I used a Philips Photocrescenta 75 watt. I do not think these are still available (but some dealers will have them in stock). However, these bulbs are in fact too big for a Valoy; the illumination is quite uneven. A Valoy needs a small round bulb, not a pear-shaped one. I never was been able to surface one of those, one of the reasons that I bought a Focomat IIc about fifteen years ago.

Erik.

Did you find the Valoy unusable with the Philips bulb due to uneven illumination?