Paul Verrips Posted June 3, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 3, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm thinking about setting up a BW darkroom. What is a quality enlarger and what about the lenses? What focal length/aperture and why? Is the Leitz Focomat V35 autofocus a good one? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 3, 2013 Posted June 3, 2013 Hi Paul Verrips, Take a look here Enlarger. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted June 4, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 4, 2013 The V35 is a solid choice, of course if one wants to limit work to 35mm. It came standard with a 40 2.8 lens, compatible with its autofocus mechanism. The Hove book by Richard Seck on Leica Darkroom Practice covers the features rather well. You can search the web for various tips on buying one, the most obvious one being to buy from a reputable source that knows about them. I owned one, and the dealer specialized in servicing and repairing used ones, and was available for guidance as needed. My preferred enlargers, however, were able to handle larger formats as well as 35 mm. Lens choice varied by model and format size. Now they've all been donated or sold. There are lots of opportunities to pick up good models from folks like me who have migrated to the digital dark side. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 38 Posted June 4, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 4, 2013 I do very much like the V35 , and have one . It is very easy to use and the autofocus is very good and makes working easy . Once you have focused the negative or slide it stays in focus as you move the head up and down . The 40mm lens prints perfectly. I believe the V35 was designed for the 35mm format . I have seen a masking frame for 110 negatives . I am not sure if it will work with 120. I have the colour head and print colour and black and white . I have heard the multigrade head is better with multigrade paper , though no experiene with it. The V35 is very heavy and stable . I have projected onto the floor for a selective enlargement , though tha was beyon the range of the autofocus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted June 5, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 5, 2013 The V35 has a reputation as the best 35mm enlarger ever. DOn't neglect the earlier focomat 1c - it is also outstanding, and would likely be cheaper. Always buy from a reputable dealer and don't focus n the cheapest price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted June 8, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 8, 2013 Maybe good to know that the bulb for the V35 is not available anymore. Which means it is out of production (Philips). You can exchange it by a cold light LED source by Heiland Electronics or rebuild it completely for Split Grade with this cold light LED source. Heiland electronic GmbH, Wetzlar / Germany - News Splitgrade | The TAO of Leica http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/Split_Grade_Manual_V23_Englisch.pdf When going to medium format I can suggest the actual production enlargers: Kaiser 67 or 69 system, Dunco II 67 120 pro, Kienzle 67 or 69. Alternative Durst if they are complete because seperate parts are more difficult to find now. Durst M670, M805. I am working with a Dunco II 67 120 pro with Split Grade. It goes from 24x36mm till 6x7cm roll film. It is a very bright enlarger with a minimum of heat exchange of the 100W HLX bulb. The 120 pro side column is very heavy and stable. Because it is modular system to can rebuild in a few minutes from B&W Split Grade to color again. http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/DUNCO_enlargers_manual.pdf (manual of Dunco, in German language) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted June 8, 2013 Share #6 Posted June 8, 2013 If you want to stick with Leitz and 35mm, the Focomat 1c bulbs are available, and if you are really keen (and well-to-do) the Heiland Splitgrade system is available for the focomat 1c. I don't have one but I would like to get one (I am in need of a kindly disposed rich uncle in poor health). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orient XI Posted June 8, 2013 Share #7 Posted June 8, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) The V35 eats bulbs! If the bulbs are no longer available then it is a bad buy. However, I bought some from www.thedarkroom.co.uk a couple of years ago. The bulbs were not made by Philips but they work ok. It may be worth checking availability before splashing out on a V35. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 38 Posted June 9, 2013 Share #8 Posted June 9, 2013 Good point about the bulbs . I have a spare , but I have found they last me for ages. I have used a different bulb , once when I could not get hold of the Philips ones. The only differnce I noticed was that with the other bulb the exposure times changed as perhaps it was not so bright . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted June 9, 2013 Share #9 Posted June 9, 2013 You can only use the Philips 13139 75W bulb. If you're going to use another type the radius of the reflector is not OK which means a lot of light loss and the system can be overheated. If you can not get the right 75W Philips bulb anymore you have three options: - Osram HLX bulb 75W with an adapter for the reflector, which is made by Kienzle (Germany). - Heiland LED light source for V35 (Around Eur. 600,-) - Heiland LED light source with Split Grade (Around Eur. 1200,-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted June 10, 2013 Share #10 Posted June 10, 2013 Paul, For less than 200 euros you buy one of the most remarkable enlargers ever made: the Focomat 1C. Just make sure it was treated well and it has a Focotar 50mm. Hardly anything can go wrong with this enlarger, and simple adjustments you can do yourself (the centering of the bulb for instance). If you don't intend to print larger than 40X50cm, the 80cm column is fine. For larger prints you need to find the 1,20cm column, It is nice if you manage to find the version with the filter drawer (for the multigrade filters), but for the cheaper earlier 1C it is not a problem to fabricate something in order to use these contrast filters. The same thing goes for the anti-newton glass that is attached to the bottom of the condensor (it presses onto the negative and prevent newton-rings). Also here it is quite easy to make something to solve the problem. This man in the US gives a lot of good practical information (his prices have little relationship with today's reality): leitz.htm And should you decide to go this way, you can always ask me advice, I am in Nederland too. I have all these Leitz enlargers and have worked with them daily, since 1980 . . . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted June 11, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 11, 2013 Paul, Machiel has it right. Additionally, if you are planning on big prints, you can turn the whole thing around by 180 degrees, and project onto the floor or a lower table. A terrific machine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadside Posted June 11, 2013 Share #12 Posted June 11, 2013 For less than 200 euros you buy one of the most remarkable enlargers ever made: the Focomat 1C. Just make sure it was treated well and it has a Focotar 50mm. I got mine (a good one + lens) for £50 on ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Emile de Leon Posted June 22, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2013 Don't forget about the Valoy either..a great enlarger..with a very small footprint.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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