Focmat 1a + DOORX + Schneider Componon-S = Auto-focus?

Hello,

I recently purchased a Leitz Focomat 1c. It came with a Schneider Componon-S 50mm f/2.8 lens. Both are in excellent condition however the auto-focus mechanism on the enlarger does not work as the Componon is simply too short. I've read that extension tubes can be used to remedy this and that the Leitz DOORX extension is the correct choice. Has anyone here used this combination and can they confirm that the auto-focus works correctly?

I've also found a Focotar 5cm f/4.5 going cheaply but with very dirty optics and potentially with scratches or damage due to fungus. It comes however with the DOORX extension tube and may be worth buying even for the tube alone. Is the DOORX extension on the Focotar meant for normal use? ie. at magnifications between 2.5 and 10x ? If so, the focotar+DOORX looks much longer than will be the case with the Componon-DOORX combination. This makes me doubt if it will work. Can someone please clarify this for me?

Thanks and all the best!

This is the Focotar/DOORX on sale:

Don't worry folks, I decided to go ahead and purchase it before it disappeared - so I'll soon know for myself whether or not the tube works on the Componon. The more I read about the Focotar, it sounds well worth having it serviced.

All the best!

Cool stuff.

I love those (telegraph/Bestellwörter) codes (LINK)

DOORX is not quite as interesting as NOOKY, IMHO.

:rolleyes:

Don't know how much you paid for a duff Focotar and extension tube, but I bet it was far more than a no-brand set of M39 extension tubes, that would have done exactly the same job.

Besides, there's no guarantee that the doorx tube will be the right length for the Componon, and a set of extension tubes would offer you more options.

"The more I read about the Focotar, it sounds well worth having it serviced."

- It would cost a fortune to have scratches polished out, and you'd still only be left with a Tessar type 4 element lens. Be happy with the good condition Componon-S you have, and don't throw your money away on a lens that sounds ruined beyond hope.

Don't know how much you paid for a duff Focotar and extension tube, but I bet it was far more than a no-brand set of M39 extension tubes, that would have done exactly the same job.

 

Besides, there's no guarantee that the doorx tube will be the right length for the Componon, and a set of extension tubes would offer you more options.

 

"The more I read about the Focotar, it sounds well worth having it serviced."

 

- It would cost a fortune to have scratches polished out, and you'd still only be left with a Tessar type 4 element lens. Be happy with the good condition Componon-S you have, and don't throw your money away on a lens that sounds ruined beyond hope.

I wouldn't bother with the Focotar. The Componon is a superior lens.

I've fitted a 50mm Componon-S and a last generation El-Nikor 50mm to my Focomat Ic's and the autofocus operates perfectly. I used no-name extension tubes about 2cm long between the lens and the enlarger - the Doorx is about the same length.

It was inexpensive - less than US$40 and with cheap postage. Importing things in Brazil is very expensive and potentially risky, so I was lucky to find a local solution. Also, restoring lenses is not such an expensive venture here. I had a 1930s Carl Zeiss Jena lens restored in São Paulo and I'm very happy with the result.

Yes, the Componon-S is excellent. And yes, those codes are a lot of fun!

All the best!