Re: Focomat V35

[Eric Welch <ewelch@ponyexpress.net>]

At 11:25 PM 9/29/97 -0600, you wrote:

>I have a V35 and love it. Does anyone have any experience using
>below-the-lens filters with this enlarger? I have heard that this may be
>better than using the dichroic head with multigrade paper.

It can't possibly be a good choice when there's a multi contrast head. I
used that in my V35 and found it to be very easy to use, especially for
prints that required more than one contrast filter (i.e. Ansel's split
contrast technique). The only problem with the multi contrast head was that
if you have very thing negatives, you might not get enough contrast for a
good print. So a box of Oriental #4 (equivalent to most manufacturer's #5)
on the side was often called or in that situation. But I don't have much
problem with underdevelopment. I'm paranoid about chemistry. Underexposure,
that's another problem. :-)

>
>BTW, the Hove book on the V35 is worth having. I also have the Quartz
>Focometer. It is fun, if somewhat archaic. Make sure that you turn off the
>safelight when using this thing though.
>
>Too bad that Leica stopped making the V35, but I hear that some of the new
>Saunders LPL units are quite good and much cheaper, even than a used V35.
>
>Also, I just saw a new V35 advertised for three kilobucks in SB. The problem
>is that this fellow (**) also claims that it is a condenser B&W enlarger.
>Next, he will be advertising M6 autofocus SLRs!
>
>My biggest regret is that my V35 does not like 120 film. The reason for my
>not being active on this forum is that I have re-discovered Rolleis. May be
>someone out there would be interested in a V35-for-Focomat IIC swap? I guess
>that I am now in a retro phase. (BTW, I am told that "retro" was/is
>registered by Rollei.)
>
>Best of (V35) Light,
>
>Chris
>
>ps. my enlarger is still running on the original Philips bulb that was
>discontinued shortly after the first series of V35s.
>
>

=============
Eric Welch
St. Joseph, MO

Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes