Focomat condenser question

[Erik van Straten]

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

In fact I used it for quite some time. With dense, contrasty negatives there was not much of a problem; but thin, soft negatives where difficult. They became too dark in the center or too light in the corners (I always print the whole negative, I never crop.)

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

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.

This is indeed good news. In the Focomats you can raise or lower the bulb; in the Valoy II you cannot. I hope that for the users of the Valoy II the bulbs are short enough now; otherwise they can look for a Focomat Ic. These are incredibly low priced today, they cost less than a box of 100 sheets of ADOX MCC 110 18x24cm paper (in The Netherlands that is).

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

This is indeed good news. In the Focomats you can raise or lower the bulb; in the Valoy II you cannot. I hope that for the users of the Valoy II the bulbs are short enough now. Erik.

Yes, these bulbs are fine in the Valoy II. I made a test printing one negative on both the 1c and the Valoy II on 50X60 paper. Everything totally fine with regards to even illumination.

Small difference in the contrast and one large difference: the 1c print needed 70 seconds exposure, the Valoy II print 50 seconds. This could be because of a couple of reasons, or a combination. First, the bulb in the Valoy II sits closer to the negative and second, the new smaller Fisher bulbs do not look as white opal as the ones I am used to. Also the different condensers may play a role . . .

Whichever it is, the prints are both fine and A prints.

ps I have modified a Valoy II to reach that size.
ps attached both Fisher bulbs, short and long . . .

 

[megido]

This is great news. Thank you

 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, these bulbs are fine in the Valoy II. I made a test printing one negative on both the 1c and the Valoy II on 50X60 paper. Everything totally fine with regards to even illumination.

Small difference in the contrast and one large difference: the 1c print needed 70 seconds exposure, the Valoy II print 50 seconds. This could be because of a couple of reasons, or a combination. First, the bulb in the Valoy II sits closer to the negative and second, the new smaller Fisher bulbs do not look as white opal as the ones I am used to. Also the different condensers may play a role . . .

Whichever it is, the prints are both fine and A prints.

ps I have modified a Valoy II to reach that size.
ps attached both Fisher bulbs, short and long . . .

Yes, looks great, I too have a Valoy II with a looong column. How can I get one of those lamps?

Erik.

 

[megido]

Yes, looks great, I too have a Valoy II with a looong column. How can I get one of those lamps?

Erik.

I sent an email to Dr Fischer today and received a reply asking for more details re the bulb. I did explain the application, wattage and size but maybe a photo of the bulb above will be more clarification. They also asked for my company details so maybe they are wholesale only.

 

[megido]

http://www.dr-fischer-group.com/en/

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, I think we can find our lamps here:

http://www.dr-fischer-group.com/en/products/speziallampenfabrik-dr-fischer-gmbh/?fiAdd=Enlarger+lamps+%28B%2FW+photography%29&fi=a%3A0%3A%7B%7D&pa=cat&ca=All

I guess this is great for a Valoy II:

230V 100W E27/27 A.60x104 coated

Not far from Wetzlar I guess:

Speziallampenfabrik DR. FISCHER GmbH
Nikolaus-Otto-Straße 3 - 5
65582 Diez/Lahn, Germany

P: +49 (0) 6432/91 31 - 0
F: +49 (0) 6432/62 06 - 9
M: info@dr-fischer-group.com


Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

Been searching in my emails with a friend in Germany who got some for me, and in emails with Fisher. Not very successful yet.

But I think I was premature to say you can order directly from Fisher. I have asked the friend where he got them . . .

Erik, Foto den Boer can surely order them for you . . .

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, Foto den Boer can surely order them for you . . .

Yes, I think Foto Fransen too. I will ask them. Thank you!

Erik.

 

[megido]

I'm waiting for a reply re accepting direct orders.

 

[M.Hilo]

This is where my friend in Germany bought them

http://techno-film.de/

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is where my friend in Germany bought them

As far as I can see has Techno Film no lamps from Dr. Fischer.

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

You are correct, I also just saw that. Fotoimpex in Berlin does have them, both 75 and 150 watt

https://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/darkroom/dr-fischer-fischer-opal-bulb-75-watt.html

 

[Erik van Straten]

You are correct, I also just saw that. Fotoimpex in Berlin does have them, both 75 and 150 watt

https://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/darkroom/dr-fischer-fischer-opal-bulb-75-watt.html

I am afraid that this is a large one. I've sent an e-mail to Fotoimpex to ask. The short ones only are 75w and 100w, not 150w

Erik.

 

[M.Hilo]

The one on the left in my picture of a previous post is short and 150 watt !

Perhaps the different orange instead-of-dark-blue lettering indicates the last smaller versions

 

[megido]

I am afraid that this is a large one. I've sent an e-mail to Fotoimpex to ask. The short ones only are 75w and 100w, not 150w

Erik.

Please let us know the answer from Fotoimpex. I'm looking to order a short 75w

 

[Erik van Straten]

If they do not answer, I'll try to contact Dr. Fischer themselves and ask them were we can order the short ones. I will give the results here.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The one on the left in my picture of a previous post is short and 150 watt !

http://www.dr-fischer-group.com/en/...mps+(B/W+photography)&fi=a:0:{}&pa=cat&ca=All

On this page there are only small ones from 100w and 75w. (60x104)

Erik.

 

[megido]

If they do not answer, I'll try to contact Dr. Fischer themselves and ask them were we can order the short ones. I will give the results here.

Erik.

I will do the same if I receive a reply.