Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> >From: "Gary Todoroff" <datamaster@humboldt1.com> >Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 16:33:59 -0700 >Subject: Re: Re:Film and Processing > >> Too bad Leica has discontinued their enlarger. >> >I agree. I have used the Focomat IIc, and own the Focomat Ic and a V35. >Capturing an outstanding Leica image doesn't end until the print is on >paper. Leica built exceptional enlargers to accomplish the final >photographic step with the same kind of precision and elegance as the >camera. Perhaps the darkroom equipment became too small a market for them. > >BTW, I've made the switch to the V35 and love the color and variocontrast >modules. (I'm still not sure if the autofocus is as precise as the Ic.) >Since I don't need two 35mm enlargers, the Focomat Ic is for sale for $600, >plus shipping. It is the most modern model with the white baseboard, extra >long column and filter drawer (but no lens), and is in beautiful condition. >Anyone interested, please respond to me at datamaster@humboldt1.com >Thanks, >Gary Todoroff > This is something that is very important to me in the photographic process. So often people shoot with very good and very expensive cameras, and then print on enlargers of much lower quality and capability. The camera has a pressure plate to keep the film flat. The enlarger should also have some means of keeping the film flat. The first Leica enlarger I used taught me this. It was a Valoy II with a 50mm f4.5 Focotar. It had condensor lenses, but the bottom of the lower lens was flat with a ground glass texture. This went into contact with the film and held it perfectly flat against the metal frame. The Valoy printed sharp images all the way into the corners. Ever since using that enlarger more than 20 years ago, I have always bought enlargers that could work in this manner. Right now I have a V35 that I like very much. I, too, am suspect of the accuracy of the autofocus. I check it often. If you have to check the autofocus, then it isn't really autofocus. This is why my favorite enlargers are the Dursts. I have an M605 that is perfect for 35mm up to 6x6cm. I also have an L1200, which is not quite as handy for smaller formats like 35mm, but is the best enlarger I know of for larger formats. The film carriers are set up with a piece of anti-newton glass on top and an oversized metal frame on the bottom. I use Rodenstock Apo-Rodagon lenses on the Dursts and find them to be just as sharp or sharper than any of the Leitz enlarging lenses I have used. I have used many other enlargers (Omega, Beseler, Phillips, etc.) and found them all lacking in quality and capability. Although I have never used a Saunders enlarger, I hear they are a close second to the Dursts. They are much less expensive, too. I don't know if they can be set up with anti-newton glass on top. I feel that the process in the darkroom has more to do with the quality of the final print than what type of camera or lens was used. To get the quality of image obtainable with Leica equipment, one must not scrimp in the darkroom. I could go on and on, but I'll stop.