Re: [Leica] Enlarging lens and bellows

[Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>]

At 06:10 AM 6/23/99 -0700, Bill Lawlor wrote:
 >Where does the VAROB 5 cm./3.5 enlarging lens fit into the chronology of
>enlarging lenses? I have one, s/n 511568, that came with my Focomat
>I.(Along with an original Leitz 110 v. 75 w bulb).  The lens has the
>built-in extension. When using a "modern" lens I use an extenstion tube
>of 14 mm. BTW, I also have an old Valloy that requires the use of an
>extension tube.
>
>Can you tell me anything about a bellows I picked up recently? It is
>engraved "E.LEITZ WETZLAR GERMANY" Nr.10501. The rack is calibrated with
>scales for 5.cm and 13.5 cm lenses. The front thread mount is LTM but
>the bach of the bellows has no threads or locking mount, just a dished
>ring about 40mm in diameter. 
 
The 3.5/5cm VAROB was a standard Elmar remarked for use as an enlarger lens
with relative exposure values.  It was produced from 1933 to 1939;  it's
original catalogue number, in the old system, was 73,400 and it cost $34.50
in 1939.  Your lens dates from 1939.

The Bellows is a standard Bellows, though the number on it is a bit
befuddling:  10501 was the catalogue number for the M5!  I would suspect
this to be a UXOOR/16555 Bellows I, and that the "10501" is the serial
number.  The Bellows I was intended to work with the PLOOT or Visoflex I.
There are two versions:  the older one had a 36mm thread on the front
(lens) adapter side, the later ones have standard M42 as does the 16556
Bellows II.

The 16555/UXOOR was available from 1950 until 1962.  It cost $58.50 in
1954, $41.76 in 1958, $66.00 in 1960, and $79.50 in 1962.

There are a slew of adapters which can be used to fit this gem with lenses
from the 12.5mm Photar to the 5/400 Telyt-V, second version.

Marc



msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
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