Your opinions on....FOCOMATS

[alkos]

Michael

just got one with a Focotar lens and film holder but the model without filter tray for $22.00. It does seem to be very well constructed.

Bob

Funny, got one with 50/4.5 and without filter tray for free two days ago :-D

(with M605 and handful of lenses 🙂 )

 

[sanmich]

Can you stop that already 😀:bang:

WHERE should I look for such deals??

 

[topoxforddoc]

The Focomat V35 is a dream for mono work with the multigrade head. I have both the V35 and a Focomat IIc (which I picked up complete with 5 masks for GBP350!!!). The latter is unbelievably built with supremely accurate autofocus (but only with the dedicated lenses). Can't go wrong. If you want some help look at Rudolf Seck's Leica Darkroom book from Hove.

Charlie

 

[Tom A]

I have had the V35's - they are very good, but I could never get used to them. The 40mm Focotar is an OK lens - not great if you want to print much larger than 11x14. It stays solid for 8x10's - but you really have to watch for vibrations above that. It was a rather slick design - but somehow I kept thinking it was a Mix Master for kitchen use. Today, the problem is basic parts like Light boxes, neg-carriers, light-sources etc. A lot of the V35's in US/Canada were used for publications (Real estate,used cars etc) and saw a lot of hard use. IF you can stock up on bulbs,boxes etc - they are good - but some parts are virtually unobtainable now.
The 1c is my favorite - having used them for 4 decades+. Rock solid, built to last and being a condensor enlarger - sharp across the board.
However, parts are getting scarce - negative holders are difficult to find - and when found, expensive!
The Anti-Newton glass "filter" is usually $100+ - and you would like to have that!
The "bulb" problem is not as bad as it sounds - early black finished ones need the short neck bulbs - but can do with standard ones (move the "rod" all the way to the top and it works fine).
The filter drawer is nice - but I printed for years without it. The lamphousing top is easy to lift off and drop a filter on top of the condensor.
The late grey, tall column version with a filter drawer and the Focotar-2 is probably the best one of them all - but users know this and charge accordingly. I have had my current one for about 17 years and would not part from it.
On Ic's: check that condensors are clean and scratch free, be sure to get the negative mask with it, check the power cord - they can fray and make the upright column a shocking experience! I tend to run a new cord - straight from the lamp housing to the timer and by-passing the upright connection. Unless they have been bashed heavily - they tend to stay in correct alignment and once you set up the auto focus - it stays put for years. Once you have used a 1c - most other enlargers feel flimsy!!!
The 2c is massive (80lbs+) and can handle negatives up to 6x9 cm - but it works best with 120 film (6x4.5/6x6/6x7/6x9) and is extremely good for that size. With 35 you have the head right at forehead level and you keep bashing it against the lamphousing (no problem for the housing - it can probably take a direct hit from a bazooka - but one day you are going to see an imprint of the handle and the Leica logo on your forehead!) Lenses are dedicated and the 95/100 mm V-Elmars are good - the 60mm is OK, but no great shakes. The IIc's are still expensive and good ones are tricky to find. Parts are really scarce - negative masks are easily $100 per mask!
Ideally, you get a late grey 1c for the 35mm stuff and keep a IIc for 120 stuff. I have had that kind of set-up for decades (with a 5 year break without a IIc - but that was rectified last year).
I used Beseler 45 and CB7's as well as Omega D6 for years for commercial work - but my current set up is just about perfect for my own shooting. The fact that I can't print 4x5/8x10 size negs also prevents GAS for larger formats.
Enlargers are a bit different tha cameras - once you get a good one, you really dont have to think about ever changing it. I know shooters who still use 1950's Focomat's/Valloy's and who would not switch to "something" newer. It becomes a 1-time expense and you would be set for decades. Always get the best lens possible as that is the weakest link in the chain. What good is your "wonder" lens from Leica/Zeiss/VC if you print through a 3 element "crap" lens.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Can you stop that already 😀:bang:

WHERE should I look for such deals??

Like everything else, when you are specifically looking for something these deals never show up. When you least expect it they show up. It can be a bummer.

Bob

 

[ChrisLivsey]

To give an idea on the UK pricing this dealer, no connection other than money flowing one way and NOT in my direction, has a V35 with lens at £200 but is listing it for a photo fair for £150 whilst he also has a IIc with lenses (note plural but not specified) for £250 also going to the fair.

http://stephensphotocentre.goods.officelive.com/sitemap.aspx

 

[Erik van Straten]

Ideally, you get a late grey 1c for the 35mm stuff and keep a IIc for 120 stuff. I have had that kind of set-up for decades (with a 5 year break without a IIc - but that was rectified last year).

I like the IIc very much, also for 35mm work. The strong points of the IIc are the evenness of the illumination and the ergonomy the special 35mm carrier provides. When you intend to do 35mm work with the IIc this special carrier is essential. This 35mm carrier has only on one side glass, anti-Newton glass. The glass holds the negative flat in the same way the condenser in an Ic does, but it has the advantage that there also is a small clip that holds the negative in place. This clip is very convenient. It can hold in place a piece of film as small as the length of one frame. Now try to do that with an Ic.
When you want to print the whole negative with a black border, you'll have to file out the cut-out of the brass mask. The brass is 2mm thick. The filing takes some patience, but is not hard to do.
The 60mm Focotar is very good for prints up to 24x30cm. On prints of 30x40cm you'll notice a very slight unsharpness of the grain towards the corners, but the prints are nevertheless beautiful.
When choosing a IIc you should look for one with a filter drawer. The IIc is a bit too big to take off the lamp housing every time you change the filter.
I love my Focomat IIc as much as I love my Leicas. It certainly is the most beautiful enlarger in the world.

Erik.

 

[nuckabean]

I picked up a Ic at goodwill for $15 a couple months ago, right from under the nose of an ebay reseller. Does anyone have any advice on how to replace the bellows on these enlargers?

 

[Tom A]

Check with Leica USA if they have spares for the bellows. You can also "patch" them. Talk to one of the people who restores vintage (and newer) view-cameras and folders about what to use. It is a rather tedious job - and unless absolutely necessary - avoid it. Silicon sealer (black) diluted in acid stop bath and applied with a fine brush can fix small pinholes and small edge cracks. Just be sure that you allow it to dry completely - otherwise the folds can stick together.

 

[photocrazy]

I've just purchased a Valoy II which is in a very good condition, say 95% new. The enlarger goes with a mint Focotar 50mm middle version. Total cost is around $500. I know it's pricey but here in China, old Leica equipment is rare and expensive. But the whole thing is quite new and I am pleased with the buy. Only regret is Valoy doesn't take filters. So I have to figure out a way to use filters or buy another enlarger for 120 film enlargment. Valoy is very tight and sturdy.I just put all the stuff on a trolley and take it to the bathroom to print.

I'd have bought Focomat if I can find one at reasonable price with antinewton condensor.

V35 is also very luring but I've heard Focotar 40mm is not as good as focotar 50.

I am really impressed with focotar 50mm. I have also had componon-s 50mm and rodagon 60mm wa. In comparison, I think focotar is able to produce a bit more details in very dark area, an edge over Schneider and Rodenstock.

Attached is a crop from my first 12x10 print on Era RC 3 paper processed in Lucky HB-18 developer and HB-19 fixer. Enlarging lens is focotar 50mm.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

My 1c doesn't take filters either.
I removed the red glass from the holder, don't need it anyhow, and just lie the filters on the empty holder under the lens.
Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[dap]

Ideally, you get a late grey 1c for the 35mm stuff and keep a IIc for 120 stuff. I have had that kind of set-up for decades (with a 5 year break without a IIc - but that was rectified last year).

I like the IIc very much, also for 35mm work. The strong points of the IIc are the evenness of the illumination and the ergonomy the special 35mm carrier provides. When you intend to do 35mm work with the IIc this special carrier is essential. This 35mm carrier has only on one side glass, anti-Newton glass. The glass holds the negative flat in the same way the condenser in an Ic does, but it has the advantage that there also is a small clip that holds the negative in place. This clip is very convenient. It can hold in place a piece of film as small as the length of one frame. Now try to do that with an Ic.
When you want to print the whole negative with a black border, you'll have to file out the cut-out of the brass mask. The brass is 2mm thick. The filing takes some patience, but is not hard to do.
The 60mm Focotar is very good for prints up to 24x30cm. On prints of 30x40cm you'll notice a very slight unsharpness of the grain towards the corners, but the prints are nevertheless beautiful.
When choosing a IIc you should look for one with a filter drawer. The IIc is a bit too big to take off the lamp housing every time you change the filter.
I love my Focomat IIc as much as I love my Leicas. It certainly is the most beautiful enlarger in the world.

Erik.

I have always wanted a IIc and have been searching for one for years. I even bought a focotar-2 100/5.6 thinking that I would eventually get the IIC to use it on (the 100/5.6 lenses don't come up very often for reasonable prices...I thought I would jump on it while I had the chance). As much as I hate to admit it I am going to give up on the IIc dream. Prices seem to be going up again and local availability is nill (the majority of people are not willing to ship one). My motivation for owning one has also started to wane...while waiting for the IIC I have grown accustomed to my Ic and Omega D5 combo and now I don't know if I want to give them up. Anybody in the market for a Focotar 2 100/5.6 😀