RE: [Leica] Buying New Enlarger. Any suggestions?

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

Hi Rob,
After leafing through loads of old Leica Fotografies (I must compile an 
index one of these days) I found the item, from issue 7/1987, p.39/40.
The old box offered 50% illumination in the corners, relative to 100% in 
the centre at F2.8, this increased to 70% at F5.6 and at best 75% (74.9 to 
be precise) at F8.
In comparison, the new box offered (for the same f-stops) 51.5%, 93.8% and 
94.6%.

The new box had two diffusing lenses at its base though this is hard to see 
from the outside. Like a centre filter, these are more transparent towards 
the corners. This more even illumination was achieved by reducing light to 
the centre. There is a small raised dot in one of the corners at the base 
of the illumination box to identify this later model.

It was fitted from late 1986 apparently but no large scale announcement was 
made, it was a 'continuous improvement'. Sorry, I've no info on when that 
coincided with serial numbers. The article said that owners of existing 
V35s can upgrade their  enlarger by 'simply exchanging the mixing chamber 
(supplied through Leitz dealers).' This almost suggests they were available 
as a free replacement, good luck if you can find one. ;-)

Hope this helps,
Jem

- -----Original Message-----
From:	Rob McElroy [SMTP:idag@pce.net]
Sent:	30 January 2001 19:34

Jem,

This is very interesting and I would like to know how to tell if the 
diffusion box on my V35 is of the newer or older design.  Is there a serial 
number cutoff that you, or someone else might know, to help identify when 
the change was made.

Unevenness of illumination was also a problem with my wonderful Leitz Valoy 
II which I love and still use.  I solved that problem by putting a small 
circle of diffusion material in the center of the heat absorbing glass in 
the light head.  It cuts down some light in the "hot" center and allows 
more light to reach the edges of the print - much like the center-filters 
used with wide angle large format view camera lenses.  It works great and I 
never have to burn in any corners on my prints.

Cheers,
Rob McElroy
Buffalo, NY

Jem Kime wrote:

> Rob,
> Leitz were so concerned with the unevenness that they modified the
> diffusion box of the V35 during its production run.
> This took it from good to very good.
> I'll try and dig out the further facts. I've been trying to locate one of
> the later diffusion boxes, and though Leica UK still have some in stock,
> they're asking around 350 USD for them!
>
> Jem
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Rob McElroy [SMTP:idag@pce.net]
> Sent:   30 January 2001 04:27
>
> The most common problem with other enlargers is evenness of illumination.
> The corners of your print often receive 1/4 to 3/4 of a stop less light
> than the center, resulting in light corners which must be burned in.  Buy
> the V35 and you will not have that problem.  It makes you want to go in 
the
> darkroom and print.
>
> Good luck,
> Rob McElroy
> Buffalo, NY
>
> =================================
> Gabe Sachs wrote:
>
> > Hello there.  I'm looking into getting a new
> > enlarger for strictly B&W.
> > Gabe Sachs
> > You can email me at egabe@earthlink.net