Is anyone familiar with a Focomat 'N' Condenser?

[Ron F]

I have a Focomat Ic, and to the best of my recollection (since its about 700 miles away from me right now), its condenser lens is perfectly clear (as in, the glass is not frosted in any way and you can see your distorted hand through it). However, yesterday I found a newer Focomat Ic with a white handle on the lower hemisphere of the lamp house, but no filter tray, and with 3-prong wiring and inspected it to see if it had the anti-Newton glass insert - no dice.

However... upon closer inspection I saw that the condenser glass itself is very finely frosted on the surface that contacts the negative (which I presume is the anti-Newton surface) and the condenser is very clearly marked with an engraved "N", which is visible when the condenser is removed from the enlarger.

Can anyone help me confirm or deny whether this is, in fact, a purpose made, anti-Newton glass condenser lens?

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

I think they all have the N. Its to position the condenser. To my knowledge there was never an anti-newton condenser for the Ic.

 

[Tom A]

Edward, I agree with you. I too, have never seen a "stock" anti-Newton condensor for the 1c. I have seen a couple were the surface has been bead-blasted/ etched. It did work, but not 100%.
The Valoy II had a nice anti-Newton condensor though. Too bad they were not easily switched. I do have the anti-Newton system for my 1c - which is good as it now costs more than an enlarger!!!!
You can make a mask for the regular 1c - or just put down strips of masking tape on the negative carrier to "lift" the condensor slightly. A bit messy but it works.

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

Edward, I agree with you. I too, have never seen a "stock" anti-Newton condensor for the 1c. I have seen a couple were the surface has been bead-blasted/ etched. It did work, but not 100%.

Also not needed. Seems like a silly "fix" to ruin a 1c condenser.

The Valoy II had a nice anti-Newton condensor though.

I think it was offered as option since it was an amateur enlarger. The Ic was more for professionals.

Too bad they were not easily switched. I do have the anti-Newton system for my 1c - which is good as it now costs more than an enlarger!!!!

I have 2 of these--- but I also have an entire Ic enlarger as spare. They work OK.. Their exorbitant value is derived, I suspect, more from lack of knowledge than need or utility. At this given moment my Ic is without the anti-newton slip-on filter thing attached. Unless I see newton rings I don't use the filter. If its on.. I leave it on until I want to clean the condenser.. then it goes off again unless I'm experiencing problems with Newton rings..

You can make a mask for the regular 1c - or just put down strips of masking tape on the negative carrier to "lift" the condensor slightly. A bit messy but it works.

That is more or less the design of the first anti-newton device that Leitz offered for the Focomat.

 

[Pico]

I think they all have the N. Its to position the condenser. To my knowledge there was never an anti-newton condenser for the Ic.

True to the best of my recall.

There was an additional anti-newton unit named NEWOO (or NESOO) that fit under the condenser. I'll check it when I get home. Pretty sure that's the name.

 

[Ron F]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I really appreciate your help. From all the responses it seems that someone must have put some sort of window frosting chemical on the condenser or something.

Thanks again,
Ron

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

There was an additional anti-newton unit named NEWOO (or NESOO) that fit under the condenser. I'll check it when I get home. Pretty sure that's the name.

NEWOO was the Leitz order name for pressure frame anti-Newton solution I mentioned above.

 

[Tom A]

The problem with the Newton rings is that they dont show up on the easel - only when you pull the print out of the wash!!!! Nothing bugs me more than spending quite a bit of time on a fiber paper print, double fix, toning etc - and then finding nice rings on it!!! Hence my anti-Newton set-up.
Most of the time it happens with "green" film - freshly developed and dried. Enough residual moisture in it to cause rings.

 

[Erik van Straten]

My Valoy II (gray) from the early sixties does have an anti-Newton condenser. It works perfectly. I think it can be used in a Focomat Ic too. No anti-Newton pressure ring needed.
The special 35mm carrier for the Focomat IIc from the same period is fitted with an anti-Newton pressure glass that also works perfectly. This carrier is only fitted with glass on one side wich is good because it leaves the other side of the glass/negative sandwich free of dust.

Erik.