[Leica] V35 bulb replacement

[Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>]

Folks, esp. UK folks,

Just as I was about to compare the (newish) Apo-Companon with my Focotar on 
some juicy large blow ups, I had a blow out and the enlarger's bulb went 
'for a burton'. The story that unfolds explains the problems of acquiring a 
new one to suit.

There being no proper Leica dealer locally, I called the largest camera 
store in Manchester (Jessops World Camera Centre), possibly the largest 
camera store in the UK and spent 20 minutes talking to three assistants, 
each slightly more informed than the previous but none of them capable of 
telling me that they had the bulb I needed, a Philips 12v 75w 13139. They 
offered an Osram bulb, stating that they dont stock Philips, suggesting it 
because it was 'the most popular' they sell. This beggared belief!

I called Leica in Milton Keynes only to find that I couldn't speak to Spare 
Parts but the accountant in Finance did his best to help! I was promised a 
call back which may happen tomorrow.

Later I visited a nearer Jessops and looked at this Osram suggestion in the 
wake of their having any 13139 bulbs to offer, it was indeed the bulb I 
suspected that I had read warnings about. The curvature of the reflector is 
different and also the hieght is slightly smaller, it would still fit and 
give a result but the illumination is far from perfect with it, so I left 
it naturally.

And finally I visited a small independant light bulb/fitting shop in my 
town and arrived 5 minutes after he closed. He was over the road talking to 
another shopkeeper and asked if he could help. He then went to on to open 
his shop, tell me that GE made an identical bulb, checked his stock, 
offered me a 55w version if I wanted, rang his stockist and ordered two 75w 
bulbs for me. Checked the order with his comprehensive set of sales 
booklets and rang his stockist back to confirm the delivery date in two 
days time. I was bowled over by the difference in attitude.

The moral seems to be don't visit Jessops for a replacement V35 bulb. Find 
a knowledgable light shop.

Jem