Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dan, I have three Valloy IIs in my darkroom. I have used many enlargers in my 65 years in 35mm B&W photography and have found no better enlarger than the Valloy II. It is impossible to get out of allignment, the helical focusing cannot be matched for accuracy as with a good grain focuser one can actually focus up and down within the grain. I use Tech Pan film that I rate at ASA 100 almost exclusively and the grain is very small as you might know and the helicle handles it beautifully. As far as your condenser, all three of mine are clear on both sides but I have known people who have the bottom surfaced lightly etched to the avoid the possibility of newton rings. I have never had a newton ring problem, why I cannot say except that perhaps I live in an area of low humidity ( Northern California ) except for the winter rains when the humidity stands at 100 %. Even during our winter storms I have experienced no newton ring problems. As to cleaning your condenser surfaces, they should be treated as you would your lenses. As to your missing carrier, I have two out of three. They are difficult to find. There is a person who makes them to order. His address is Roger H. Pelham PO BOX 26395 Trotwood, OH 45426-0395 Voice: 937.854.1455 Fax: 937. 854.3570 I made a third carrier by getting a wide plastic spatula at a paint store and filing an opening to fit the 35 mm format. As to your lubrication of the helical focusing, my three feel very smooth with no attention thru the years but if I were to try a bit of lubricant I would remove the enlarging lens, turn the focusing ring to its furthest opening down and look in there and you will see brass threads that I would place a very little bit of oil that watchmakers use on clocks, etc. This can be done with a Q tip. Until recently I have been using a 75 watt enlarging bulb but I have been experimenting and found improved prints using an ordinary 40 watt frosted GE bulb ( I found that a damp sponge removes the logo from the top of the bulb ). The Valloy II with the El Nikkor 50 mm enlarging lens cannot be equalled for 35 mm work in my opinion. Good Luck with it. Richard At 12:16 PM 8/2/00 -0700, you wrote: >I thought I'd bounce this off a few of you that may have VALOY II enlargers. >One- I am looking for an original negative carrier. I have come across a >really nice VALOY II, even the baseboard looks good, and I'd like to restore >it to the original condition. >Two- it has what appears to be an anti-newton condenser- it is 'frosted' and >seems to have a very smooth matte surface. I would like to know the best way >to clean both surfaces of the condenser- both the smooth top and the matte >finished bottom surface. >ANy other tips on making the focusing helix smoother, and lubrication >recommendations would be more than welcome! >Thanks for all replies! >Dan > > >