Focomat IIC - first impressions

<p><em>(This is follow up on earlier posts regarding the Leitz Focomat IIc enlarger.)</em></p>

<p>Finally, I've found a good looking and hopefully fully working Focotar IIc, the late grey version with the Focotar-2 100mm.<br /> Price was 650 euro including the original Leitz easel.<br /> The machine looks almost unused. The lenses are in perfect condition. All metal surfaces are very clean and free from scratches. The baseboard has some minor signs of use. All mechanical movement seems to be in good condition. The negative holder (6x9 universal 2xAN-glass) is clean and free from scratches, and the masks (24x36 and 6x6) look mint.<br /> A nice bonus is that it came with the original protection cover (last image).<br /> I am the third owner. According to the previous owner it originally was purchased in the 1990's by the University of Lund in southern Sweden. It's been treated with delicate hands since then, apparently.<br /> I have so far found only two flaws on this beauty:<br /> 1. The electrical connection to the back of the magnification scale is a bit crooked and has been fixed with some gaffa.<br /> 2. There is a small dent on the enlarger head, to the left of the Leitz logo. (It's visible in the images.) Strange, since it looks like it comes from the inside out(?).</p>

<p>I have not made any test prints yet.<br /> Before that I would like to have some recommendations on what to look out for.<br /> What about the autofocus... how do I make sure it's really working 100%?<br /> Thanks.<br /> <img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/333/19290826615_2b9d0f422c_b.jpg" alt="" width="436" height="706" /><br /> <img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/255/19103266458_920cbd877e_b.jpg" alt="" width="611" height="407" /><br /> <img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/377/19290827225_da20db2620_b.jpg" alt="" width="611" height="406" /><br /> <img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/389/19284839652_dd443bf6c3_b.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="406" /><br /> <img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/497/18670264273_dd92968653_b.jpg" alt="" width="609" height="406" /><br /> <img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3767/19290826305_1764a0edcb_b.jpg" alt="" width="446" height="668" /></p>

<p>Most impressive. I have used only much older models, but my guess is that you will need to "zero" the focus at one magnification: on paper of the same thickness as that on which you will print.</p>

<p>@Mukul: Yes, but on the Leit Focomat Ic, for example, the auto focus is calibrated in two steps: first focus on a small area and adjust a screw on the lense holder, then focus on a larger area and fine adjust with the "a"-screw.<br>

<br />On the Focomat IIc the "a"-screw seems to have been removed. </p>

<p>You should find help here: http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/photo/IIc.htm<br>

See also http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/leitz.html</p>

<p>The IIc is usually rock solid and not in the need of any significant adjustment, as long as the optics designed for it are used (as in your case). In any case, I never make a final enlargement without fine focussing on the grain before exposure. The autofocus is valuable to quickly go from one magnification to another, such as making a test print at small size and then going up to the final print size with the appropriate variation of f-stop or time or both (an inexpensive Ilford enlarging meter can aid in maintaining the same light output for a representative (grey) portion of the negative). I check the accuracy of the autofocus at times by using a scratched negative (outer portions and centre) and checking the scratch image using an enlarging magnifier at the baseboard (a high quality one like Peak will allow it to be used both on axis and in the corners or edges of the projected image). One can also focus on the grain. Any differences are usually limited to the quality of the lens itself.</p>

<p>Thanks (again) Arthur for clearing things up. Will report back here in a few weeks when I have done my first test run.</p>

 

<p>Eric. it looks like you have a nice darkroom space. White I also found is OK I for most of the walls of the darkroom (One of my former employers had a darkroom with all 5 non-floor surfaces painted dull black. A disaster for lighting and ones's psychological well-being!). While darkroom needn't be a black hole, perhaps you may feel the need at some point to have the surfaces close to your enlargers painted a dull black to reduce the possibility of light spillover fogging papers on the baseboard. Nice 4 bladed easel. I noticed that you have the same Ilford exposure meter and Patterson focuser. Unfortunately, the latter won't go to the print edges on larger prints, which is why I also searched a 2nd hand Peak grain focuser that can.</p>

<p>Amazing how inexpensive the IIc is, as so many photographers leave their darkrooms. It and other very good enlargerrs are fantastic on a quality to price basis.</p>

They were incredibly well made enlargers and like you Arthur I used a Peal 8x magnifier to check final focus. They were rock solid and I was fortunate in having a solid bench for the enlarger with adequate ceiling height. All I have left is the Peak which I have on my desk beside my 'shoddy' computer.

<p>Arthur: Yes, I plan to cover the walls/surfaces close to the enlargers in the future. The darkroom is still quite new. Working on it. :)<br>

Regarding grain focuser: I have the possibility to buy the Bestwell Grain Focuser for 50 euro, plus shipping. Is that a good buy?<br>

http://www.bestwelloptical.com/our-products.html</p>

<p>I also got a chance to buy the Focotar-2 50mm... what is a good price?</p>

<p>Hi Erik,</p>

<p>The Bestwell focusers are no doubt quite good for focussing on the grain (one goes to 25X magnification), but do they reach the outer limits of your projected image? I think not, but I may well be wrong and that is something to check with those who have used them or perhaps email and ask the manufacturer (if he is still around) what angular limit off axis is possible with their unit. You will likely want to go about 20 to 25 degrees off axis for edge or corner readings. If it does not go far enough off axis the only advantage over your Patterson focuser would perhaps be the magnification.</p>

<p>If you are registered with the Bay auction site you can perhaps check <em>finished</em> listings for the Focotar II 50mm lens. I am not aware of current average prices but a decade ago about 200 to 300 euros was about the minimum amount they seemed to be going for. However, my knowledge there is spotty. </p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>CALIBRATING THE IIC AUTOFOCUS</strong><br /> <br /> <strong><br /></strong>Ok, now I have used the Focomat IIc for a couple of days and I suspect that the autofocus is not working properly.<br /> Both lenses (60mm/100mm) produces sharp grains when magnification is around middle.<br /> But when I raise or lower the head the focus gradually goes off.</p>

<p>This brings me to a interesting question. How does one calibrate the Focomat IIC autofocus? It must be possible.</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/319/19448634538_dab9151a90_b.jpg" alt="" width="491" height="327" /><br /> <strong>First of all.</strong> There are clips connected both the Focotar lenses, just like on the Leitz Focomat IC:s Focotar 50mm.<br />On the Focomat IC these clips are used when calibrating/setting the autofocus. <br />To me this says that there also should be a way to calibrate the IIC.</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3742/19636671005_471e7a7549_b.jpg" alt="" width="549" height="366" /><br /> Looking at the left side of the Focomat IIC I see the two autofocus cams (the "dolphins", marked). <br />These two keep the focus in sync when lowering and raising the Focomat.<br />The upper one is for the Focotar 100mm (medium format) and the lower is for the Focotar 60mm (135mm) .</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/293/19610471556_bd35d83420_b.jpg" alt="" width="518" height="349" /><br /> When the 100mm-lens is used a roller mechanism travels along the upper cam, to produce a correct focus curve. <br />I assume that this curve affects how far the bellow is extended.</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/278/19014076704_d55b6bcc08_b.jpg" alt="" width="521" height="347" /><br /> When the 60mm lens is selected the upper roller is retracted. <br />What we cannot see here is the lower roller mechanism which now is in contact with the lower cam.<br /> Also notice the little screw underneath the lower cam, as seen in next picture.</p>

<p><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3833/19015717673_9b11176088_b.jpg" alt="" width="543" height="362" /><br /> This screw, connected to the lower cam, interests me. The manual says nothing about this. The screw looks very similair to the fine calibration screw on the Focomat IC (next picture). Could this be what I am looking for?</p>

<p><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/487/19636863255_4212432cca_b.jpg" alt="" width="545" height="363" /><br /> This is how the autofocus looks on the Focomat IC. Same principle as you can see (or is it?). And upper screw (marked) is the fine calibration.</p>

<p>Does anyone out there have any knowledge or recommendations?</p>

<p>In fact, my problems are very similair to the one in this thread:<br>

http://www.photo.net/black-and-white-photo-printing-finishing-forum/00Nlq4</p>

<p>Could it be that I don't have the original holder?</p>

I just wanted you all to know I have a Leitz Fomacat iic

that I am willing to part with.

<p><strong>Update six months later:</strong><br>

My Focomat IIc is working great. The initial problems I thought I had with the auto focusing was actually caused by a bad grain magnifier.<br>

<br />I still have my Focomat Ic up and running besides the IIc. They are both great machines indeed.<br>

The IIc is used for medium format and Hasselblad Xpan-negatives.<br>

The Ic is used for 135-film.</p>

<p>I find the original 4-blade Leitz easel to be ok, but I prefere the Saunders 4-blade easel.<br>

They both have the same thickness (2,5cm) and work fine with autofocus on both Ic and IIc.</p>

<p>I recently purchased large Ilford Multigrade filters (15,2cm) to use with the IIc.<br>

Very pricey, approx. 70 euro, but worth it.</p>

<p>Love this machine!!</p>

Hello,

i bought a focomat IIc and am restoring it.

It came with the light box but without the wiring or connection (!?)

Is it possible that someone sent me the measurements and details to make the electrical connection box? (see last photograph)

 

Thank you very much in advance.