Help on Magnifax 4 fine focusing knob

[luibargi]

Hi all.
I recently re-started a darkroom with an enlarger given by a friend, a Meopta Magnifax 4.
I wanted to upgrade it basically adding the fine-focus device which is extremely helpful especially with its flex cable for high magnifications. I think version 4a has it as standard.
I bougth the knob unit and the flex cable, installed on the Magnifax, the f-f knob takes exactly the place of the standard one but it simply doesn't work. Well, it works (moves up and down the lens) if I use the direct, larger knob but when I rotate the smaller f-f knob nothing happens, I mean the lens plate doesn't move.
After a closer look at the device I discovered that the systems lacks some reaction lock, I think that there must be some part that keeps the body (the part opposite to the knobs) locked and steady while rotating the f-f knob. The fact is confirmed by some light dents in that part of the body.
So I'm wondering if there's someone in the forum who owns this equipment and can be so kind to post some pictures of the f-f unit. Thanks in advance.

 

[joeswe]

Hi all.
I recently re-started a darkroom with an enlarger given by a friend, a Meopta Magnifax 4.
I wanted to upgrade it basically adding the fine-focus device which is extremely helpful especially with its flex cable for high magnifications. I think version 4a has it as standard.
I bougth the knob unit and the flex cable, installed on the Magnifax, the f-f knob takes exactly the place of the standard one but it simply doesn't work. Well, it works (moves up and down the lens) if I use the direct, larger knob but when I rotate the smaller f-f knob nothing happens, I mean the lens plate doesn't move.
After a closer look at the device I discovered that the systems lacks some reaction lock, I think that there must be some part that keeps the body (the part opposite to the knobs) locked and steady while rotating the f-f knob. The fact is confirmed by some light dents in that part of the body.
So I'm wondering if there's someone in the forum who owns this equipment and can be so kind to post some pictures of the f-f unit. Thanks in advance.

Hi,
I use the Magnifax 4 with the fine focus knob. Unfortunately it is not near me now, but I can check and maybe take a pic of the mechanism later today or tomorrow, so please stay stuned. I know I do have to turn the ff knob a couple of turns until it starts to get "traction" and actually moves the lens carrier.

 

[joeswe]

Okay, I just inspected the part on my Magnifax. It cannot be opened, so it makes little sense to take a picture. The metal rod with the disc that sticks out of the plastic knob assembly and drives the focusing mechanism seems to be identical with the standard focusing knob. Now, if the FF knob is spinning freely without catching resistance, but the bigger knob is driving the focus fine, then my best guess is that the problem has to be inside the knob assembly. I am not sure if it can be opened or is serviceable. Have you tried to turn the ff knob a couple of turns in either direction and see if the mechanism starts to catch?

 

[luibargi]

Okay, I just inspected the part on my Magnifax. It cannot be opened, so it makes little sense to take a picture. The metal rod with the disc that sticks out of the plastic knob assembly and drives the focusing mechanism seems to be identical with the standard focusing knob. Now, if the FF knob is spinning freely without catching resistance, but the bigger knob is driving the focus fine, then my best guess is that the problem has to be inside the knob assembly. I am not sure if it can be opened or is serviceable. Have you tried to turn the ff knob a couple of turns in either direction and see if the mechanism starts to catch?

Well, I didn't mean a picture inside the device, ony external to check wat's nearby the knob assembly. Anyway after your first answer I tried again to turn the small knob many times either direction, even pushing it axially, no way. There's no resistance and the knob turns freely.
But if I keep with the other hand the opposite part of the knob steady (tha conical body) then the lens plate moves, thish is why I figured there must be something else which is missing in my device.

 

[luibargi]

Found out that the unit is broken and unserviceable :bang:

 

[joeswe]

Sorry to hear. I think Fotoimpex in Germany still sells the part.
http://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/system/?func=detailcall&wkid=17276720505246&prodid=1&artnr=1693000
It says "Axomat/Opemus" but I think its the same part? I think it would be worth replacing the part, as it is a nice enlarger otherwise.
If you need help in ordering from Germany just let me know. I will be in Northern Italy in mid-June and could post the part from there, in case they don't ship to Italy.
John

 

[luibargi]

Thanks joeswe for the link.
A workshop near me is trying to find a solution, the focusing device cannot be unassembled so I am thinking of a modification of the lens carrier.
You're right, Magnifax is a niece enlarger so at the same time Im asking fotoimpex, yes they ship to Italy, thank you for your offer.

 

[joeswe]

I have to correct myself, I finally got to take off the focusing knob and take a picture with the standard focusing knob for comparison. As you can see in the picture there is indeed a difference between the parts, as there is a short plastic pin (arrow) on the back of the housing of the knob (the back part is loose, that seems to be normal). This will move against the enlarger chassis when you turn the ff knob in either direction and that is when the fine movement starts to kick in.
Second, the original box of my ff unit says "Magnifax", so I assume that the parts for Axomat/Opemus are different. There are two distinctly different units pictured on the box (one has two pins), so I fear that they are not interchangeable. However fotoimpex should know the answer...

 

[luibargi]

Like I supposed, there should have been something retaining the body and that's the pin which is missing in my unit, probably torn off.
Thank you very much joe, very helpful.
I think I can manage to install something similar.

 

[luibargi]

Just to end this thread, I was able to fix a collar with a pin to the rear of the knob so the unit is working again. I'm really happy even if that took me a whole day...but the new addition is steel now so it will last longer than the original.
BTW I could peek into the gears body and was surprised to see it's a fine piece of engineering, very well manufactured.