I just found a Focomat IIc on the curb. It's incredible what some people throw out

[Tijmendal]

So, I found a Leica Focomat IIc enlarger on the curb not too far from my house yesterday. I was waiting at the traffic light on my bike (I'm from Amsterdam after all) and was mindlessly looking around. Then, to my right, I saw a huge enlarger and had to check it out. When I got closer I saw it was a friggin' Focomat!

It has an Ilford 100h multigrade head and so far everything seems to be working, though I have no clue how the mechanical autofocus system works (any help?).

I'm extremely stoked, especially since I just got a darkroom a few months ago! Woohoo!

 

[CameraQuest]

wow, that is a GREAT find!

 

[Papercut]

Sheesh. You should go buy a lottery ticket immediately! Seriously, congratulations! Good to keep one's eyes open at all times, I suppose.

 

[farlymac]

I'm trying to picture in my mind you going down the road with that Focomat strapped to your bike. 😱

Have a good time with it.

PF

 

[Erik van Straten]

I am from Amsterdam too and I use my Focomat IIc daily. Just contact me via the rangefinderforum and we can make an appointment.


Erik.

 

[Tijmendal]

I am from Amsterdam too and I use my Focomat IIc daily. Just contact me via the rangefinderforum and we can make an appointment.

Erik.

Great! I definitely will!

I'm trying to picture in my mind you going down the road with that Focomat strapped to your bike. 😱

Have a good time with it.

PF

Well, it didn't really work strapped to my bike. It's insanely heavy! I had to leave everything behind and pick up my bike later haha!

 

[valdas]

Well, it didn't really work strapped to my bike. It's insanely heavy! I had to leave everything behind and pick up my bike later haha!

So now there is a bike left on the curb?

 

[Vincent.G]

Probably a poor man made his wife angry... 😀

Congrats on your lucky find. Make sure you ride back to the same spot everyday to check, just in case! 🙂

 

[Tijmendal]

So now there is a bike left on the curb?

There was for a little while, but that's nothing out of the ordinary in Amsterdam. There's hundreds of thousands of bikes sprawled across the city.

 

[Bike Tourist]

Amsterdam. What a great place to be a cyclist! If I left my bike for 10 minutes without being locked to something substantial it would disappear.

 

[giulio stucchi]

Great find and Erik is indeed a man of skills when it comes to focomat, prints, photography. Enjoy!
Giulio

 

[leicapixie]

A truly great find!
Lens with?
I'm sure Erik can get it set with autofocus..
I used to own a Leitz Easel with lovely adjustments..
I found most of a Beseler Enlarger, a complete 35mm Omega..
My Spanish lens 50 mm (El-Nikkor) fits perfectly.
Enjoy and make great prints..

 

[Erik van Straten]

I talked to Tijmen. Guess what. He found the Focomat IIc just around the corner were I live.

From what he told me it must be a very good enlarger. We've made an appointment to talk about it. It seems that the Focomat is ready for use. Lenses included. Some people are really lucky.

Erik.

 

[Solinar]

Congratulations. An enlarger that will handle up to a 6x9 neg is rare find. I acquired my Durst 609, while on my bicycle. Unfortunately, it was in South Austin, about 4 miles from my house and about 4 blocks from the nearest bus stop, which was on a busy six lane city street.

It was definitely an awkward bus ride home.

http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/files/Focomat IIc - Manuel E.pdf

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Leica was made in heaven. It has angels, here on Earth.
Overwise I can't explain what is happening in Amsterdam.

 

[CameraQuest]

So, I found a Leica Focomat IIc enlarger on the curb not too far from my house yesterday. I was waiting at the traffic light on my bike (I'm from Amsterdam after all) and was mindlessly looking around. Then, to my right, I saw a huge enlarger and had to check it out. When I got closer I saw it was a friggin' Focomat!

It has an Ilford 100h multigrade head and so far everything seems to be working, though I have no clue how the mechanical autofocus system works (any help?).

I'm extremely stoked, especially since I just got a darkroom a few months ago! Woohoo!

I hope you are checking that curb daily -
let us know what Leicas they throw away!

 

[John Lawrence]

Fabulous find - keep us updated!

John

 

[raid]

Great find. Good for you!

 

[Richard G]

I am from Amsterdam too and I use my Focomat IIc daily. Just contact me via the rangefinderforum and we can make an appointment.


Erik.

Erik I hope this post was made after you rushed to your darkroom to make sure yours was still there.

 

[Muggins]

Erik I hope this post was made after you rushed to your darkroom to make sure yours was still there.

LMAO!

Good job I didn't spot it when in Amsterdam on cricket tour - or my kitbag might still be there!

Adrian