ash13brook Posted January 20, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 20, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought a Focomat 1(is this the same as a 1a?) about 15 years ago, but never got around to using it. I've done quite a bit of printing. Just not with this enlarger. Now, I'm setting it up. I cleaned everything. The condenser looks great. it has a Focotar 4.5, which I've heard isn't great, but will do for now. I need to rewire it, but that's no problem. My questions : a) Can I add the anti-Newton glass to this enlarger? Or do I need it? b )There's no filter drawer, nor does it have the swinging filter holder under the lens. Can I cut VC filters to fit between the pins on the negative holder and slide them in on top of the negative holder before bringing the condenser down? Any other/better ideas? c) There s a 75w bulb in it. The PH/211. Is this the correct bulb? I read a post where it was making exposures excessively long. I plan to try 16x20s at some point, but 11x14s regularly. Also, is there an LED alternative? Thanks, Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 20, 2019 Posted January 20, 2019 Hi ash13brook, Take a look here Focomat 1 Questions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pico Posted January 20, 2019 Share #2 Posted January 20, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, ash13brook said: a) Can I add the anti-Newton glass to this enlarger? Or do I need it? b )There's no filter drawer, nor does it have the swinging filter holder under the lens. Can I cut VC filters to fit between the pins on the negative holder and slide them in on top of the negative holder before bringing the condenser down? Any other/better ideas? c) There s a 75w bulb in it. The PH/211. Is this the correct bulb? I read a post where it was making exposures excessively long. I plan to try 16x20s at some point, but 11x14s regularly. Also, is there an LED alternative? Anti-Newton glass is not necessary. Most variable-contrast filter kits include a filter holder that situates in front of the lens and includes a red filter. 75w is the standard bulb. To use a more powerful bulb safely you need the rare cooling bonnet/ventilator. You can search here for it, but finding one in real life is unlikely. Edited January 20, 2019 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 20, 2019 Share #3 Posted January 20, 2019 There is a generally available PH212 (150 watts) that works well and was approved by Leitz. For filters I have a holder that replaces the red filter. It screws into the same hole behind the lens as the red filter. Before I was given the filter holder, I used a discarded CD with an appropriate sized hole cut into it – it screwed into the same hole behind the lens (same one intended for the red filter). I then put the filters onto the CD. People sometime argue to put nothing below the lens – the Ilford filters are optically fine and make no optical difference. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted January 21, 2019 Ok. I got it all wired up and working. I still have to make my filter holder. Where the wiring goes into the top of the light head, there are 3 thumbscrews that allow the tube the wire goes into to rise and fall. At first I thought it was to make it easier to remove or install the bulb, but now I'm not sure. Should the bulb be in the upper position or lower? Thanks, Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 21, 2019 Share #5 Posted January 21, 2019 There is an instruction pamphlet that deals with all these things. I have a copy in PDF format. If you want a copy I will gladly send it to you. Send me a PM with an email address and I can send it along. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted January 21, 2019 Share #6 Posted January 21, 2019 Can you send a picture of your enlarger?, I just want to see which one it is . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted January 22, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Here are a couple of pictures. The label says Focomat 1. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/293464-focomat-1-questions/?do=findComment&comment=3669433'>More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 22, 2019 Share #8 Posted January 22, 2019 My suspicion is that you have a focomat 1a. Also a very good unit capable of great service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted January 22, 2019 It seems to be in good enough shape. The little left and right locks for the autofocus are missing, but I think I'll just use it without worrying about autofocus. Just rig a filter holder and have at it. I'd still like to hear about anything anyone knows about it, though. Thanks all, Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted January 23, 2019 Share #10 Posted January 23, 2019 That is a nice old Focomat. I would put the lamp in the highest position first and project on a white surface. Focus the lens by getting the edges of the negative holder sharp. Then, when you close the lens at least two stops, you can judge yes or no even illumination. Should you need to improve, drop the lamp little by little until you get the best result. To prevent Newton rings, you could cut from thin black pvc sheet a mask that covers the sides of the negative. Preventing contact between the glossy side of the negative and the condenser. I attach some pictures . . . Michael's suggestion for the filter holder is also what I would do. The Ic has a M6 screw for it's red filter and I imagine your earlier Focomat will have the same. Leitz US actually did make an under-the-lens filter holder but it is very difficult to find. Omega and Beseler made such filter holders too and they are easy to modify. You probably have a 5cm Focotar. Not the 50mm? For small sizes it will be okay, but you could consider to get any six element enlarger lens. Is there an extension ring between lens and enlarger? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/293464-focomat-1-questions/?do=findComment&comment=3670086'>More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 24, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted January 24, 2019 The lens screws directly into helicoid(?) focuser. I just checked it and for a 5x7, it will not quite focus grain, even with the focusing ring screwed all the way out. I dont think it does at the higher position, either, but it's closer. I assume I need to make an adjustment on the cam with the knurled screws on the right side? Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted January 24, 2019 Share #12 Posted January 24, 2019 Matt I would wait a moment with adjusting anything. When the lens is in position, do you feel it is too far up and inside the tube? Meaning you can hardly move the aperture ring? Or does it come down sufficiently? I don't know the Focomat I, but the later models and for sure the Ic have an extension ring of about 1cm. This is to drop to the lens down to the correct position. Not using that distance ring was meant, I believe, for very small prints . . . Have a look at this auction, perhaps the pictures tell you something? About the lens in particular. https://www.ebay.de/itm/Dunkelkammer-Ausrustung-mit-Leitz-Focomat/123607803399?hash=item1cc7996607:g:1IwAAOSwVAtcR5Aa:rk:16:pf:0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 24, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted January 24, 2019 It does have an extension ring. To get it to focus on grain, I had to have the lens mount/focusing ring screwed out(extended) all the way, and then I had to start unscrewing the lens quite a bit before it finally focused. Here's a picture of the lens and ring. Matt Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/293464-focomat-1-questions/?do=findComment&comment=3671056'>More sharing options...
pico Posted January 24, 2019 Share #14 Posted January 24, 2019 It might that the lens is of too long. What you should have is close to 50mm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 24, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted January 24, 2019 It is a 50mm lens. I had to make it "longer" by screwing the focusing ring all the way out, then "longer" again by unscrewing the lens from the mount before it would focus grain. Is it possible there are different extension rings and this one is too short? Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted January 25, 2019 Also, I'm wondering if my Bogen 11x14 easel might be causing the focusing issue, since I'm not using the original easel, for which the enlarger came from the factory already focused. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted January 25, 2019 Share #17 Posted January 25, 2019 The extension ring is (about) right. Either your Focomat had a different lens system which does not work with the later Focotar you have, or your auto focus setting is way off. You easel can't be the problem. Even it it differs from the Leitz easels, it should be possible to get the grain looking sharp. Your enlarger could be from 1933, which is when production began. From then to the later Focomats 1c a lot changed. You say your Focotar is a 50mm, which means it was made later than 1950 (I think, but am not totally sure. For some reason I can't access Wiki here, which should have the correct information). I have never seen a longer extension ring for normal use. They probably exist though for very small enlargements). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted January 25, 2019 The autofocus is set by the knurled screw on the right. Correct? Would there be any reason I couldn't just get a couple of cheap 39mm filters, break the glass out and put them between the lens and extension to give me the leeway I need to focus? I'm completely unconcerned with the auto focus feature. Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 25, 2019 Share #19 Posted January 25, 2019 25 minutes ago, ash13brook said: The autofocus is set by the knurled screw on the right. Correct? You might appreciate a manual, here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash13brook Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share #20 Posted January 25, 2019 Thanks, Pico. I have that manual. It tells you that you might have to adjust the focus if you use a different lens, but then neglects to say how to do it! Matt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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