Focomat IIa and IIc differences?

[pico]

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I use a Focomat IIA for for 6x9 negatives. Mine is slightly disadvantaged  due to missing parts for auto-focus, but it is perfectly useful in manual focus. (I lucked out getting the proper masks for 6x9)

 

Recently while looking at MF Focomats on the 'net I notice there is very little for the IIA so I tentatively believe the IIA was a short-lived item, perhaps eclipsed by a superior design, the IIC.

 

Do any here know what was improved between the models?

 

Thank you in advance,

Edited April 23, 2016 by pico

[M.Hilo]

I can't say much in detail as I never had the IIA. I have had several IIc's for over 30 years and use them daily, still now.

 

In general: during the many years of production of their specific enlargers Leitz kept improving. This resulted in basically three excellent enlargers: the Valoy II, the Focomat Ic and the Focomat IIc. In my subjective opinion, the IC and the IIC ended up perfect and it is only the Valoy II they should have developed further with capacity to do larger prints. Of this Valoy II it is the absence of automatic focusing that makes it so interesting, as well as the frosted anti newton condensers that came with the later models.

 

I am probably wrong but I see the IIA as an early IIC.

 

Between the IIA and IIC the later IIC lenses became better. That probably goes for every other enlarger lens brand. I have the feeling the other changes are less substantial. In fact Leitz may have made a step backwards with the design of the IIC negative holder: the negative holder of the IIA is larger and it is easy to place a 6X9 or 6X6 negative within the larger glasses and negative holder opening. With the IIC this is a delicate operation, in particular for those who like to include negative borders in the printing. (Just yesterday I ran into this problem once again, I simply had too little space for a Super Ikonta 6X6 negative. So I will move to a 4X5 enlarger, which is something I wish I did not have to do).

 

The early IIA with one helical is the most interesting IIA for me. It is like a large Valoy II for 120 film in that it will take any lens, not just the Leitz lenses.

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[tobey bilek]

Lenses for sure.  

[pico]

The early IIA with one helical is the most interesting IIA for me. It is like a large Valoy II for 120 film in that it will take any lens, not just the Leitz lenses.

 

My IIa has a rotating lens stage which is very useful. Your comment regarding Leitz's earlier Focotar lenses is right-on. I use Schneider and Rodenstock now. FWIW, Leica did not make the Focomat II enlargers, but I'm certain they had a lot to say of their design.

 

Oh, and the Focomat IIs are genuine 55x9, following German camera metrics, unlike the later American cameras that were ~55x8. What was that all about?

 

Edited May 21, 2016 by pico

[Susie]

Hi.

 

I have a Focomat 11a. 

 

The main differences that I know of is that with the 11c it is possible to use alternative lenses and still retain the autofocus.  The Leitz lenses in the 11a are well recessed in the mounts making the fitting of others almost impossible and keeping the autofocus.

 

The other main difference is that in the 11c when changing from one lens to the other the cam is automatically changed too, using a cable mechanism, whereas with the 11a the cam follower has to be reversed by hand.

 

Susie