Re: [Leica] Focomat V35 enlarger

[Bill Welch <welch@pressroom.com>]

Louis, it depends on how many pennies you're looking at. ;) The V35 is a
great enlarger. I have one and find it excellent for both color negative
and black and white printing. However, there are many other excellent
enlargers out there, and the D5 is one. With it, you have a modular system
and can adapt the light source to your pleasing -- condenser, dichro or
cold light. I have an older 4x5 version, the D2, with Aristo high intensity
cold light head and the new bulb made for multicontrast printing. I use it
for 35mm as well as larger format -- it just depends on the negative, my
vision and my mood. I love it for black and white work. I've also used D5s
extensively, both with condensers and the Dichro color head for color. You
can't go wrong either way - D5 or V35 - for 35mm. But if you shoot any
larger format, the answer should be obvious.  I'd also check out the
Saunders/LPL and new Durst models if I was starting from scratch. And if
you've got the cash and have any interst in doing color, you might check
out the new Fujimoto models that Jobo is marketing in the US. 

By the way, on Mark's question about interchangable heads: Yes on the old
Focomat Ic, but it seems to me impossible on the V35 -- and why would you
want to? You can certainly do split filter enlarging by changing the
magenta/yellow dials on the V35 color head. Or better yet, get the
variocontrast module (if you can find one) and split to your heart's content.

Regards,

Bill


At 09:25 AM 1/25/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear LUGers,
>
>I have an opportunity to purchase a Focomat V35 enlarger with the 40mm
>W.A. lens. This would be an upgrade from my present Durst M601 (I hope)
>which I've used for over 20 years.
>
>Does anyone out there use a V35? Are they worth every penny? Not worth
>every penny? Is an Omega  D5 a better purchase? Does anyone hate the
>V35? Why?
>
>I would appreciate any insight. Thanks for the help.
>
>Louis DiBacco
>
>