Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hello Bill, I read you prefer an old Leitz valoy on a focomat. It sounds a little surprising to me since the focomat has the handy autofocus and the valoy does not. I am curious to know what makes you use the valoy if you also have a focomat. Greetings, Frederik ............................. Frederik, that is a good question. My Focomat is also a 1937 model. It works fine in autofocus mode up to about 11X14 but I like to print 16X20. I have to manual focus it at that size, and, often at smaller sizes because it often does not seem exactly sharp. Because I usually manual focus anyway, I choose the Valoy which has a superior fine focus helical adjustment. The manual focus on my Focomat is much more coarse and difficult to adjust with precision. I usually print the full frame of the negative. I don't change the magnification often, so the simple Valoy works well. Both eblargers have the excellent fixed alignment design that just stays perfect(since 1937 at least). Condenser illumination is less popular that in the past, but, I learned how to get clean, unspotted negatives, and flawless prints. REgards, Bill