Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/31

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Subject: [Leica] Focomat V35
From: jblack at ambio.net (John Black)
Date: Tue Aug 31 11:53:56 2004
References: <20040830143841.YSRU1960.simmts7-srv.bellnexxia.net@straylight><1093886729.26158.23.camel@failsafe><000a01c48ebe$dbb291e0$6401a8c0@lan.artvader.com><018601c48f7a$ff41c920$2501a8c0@chartertn.net> <001001c48f87$ac29e440$6401a8c0@lan.artvader.com>



> Hi John,
> 
> Grain focuser #1 on the list...Out the door to Portland, Ore. at this very
> instant....Nothing at all here in Olympia....Let's see...4 blade easel,
> Ilford paper, chemicals...
> 


A grain focuser is not absolutely essential if you have good eyes and 
close-up vision.  For the rest of us mortals, a grain focuser is needed.

If you have the manual that came with the V35, it details how to set the 
autofocus so that it tracks properly.  It is also important to adjust the 
height of the head for the thickness of the easel.  As has been said here, 
you should use the standard one-glass neg carrier that will hold the neg 
absolutely flat. If you are using the correct carrier, it is unnecessary to 
check focus with a magnifier anywhere but in the middle of the image, 
because the corners WILL be flat.

Also, don't try and check focus with a magnifier with the lens at full 
aperture (it'll blind you).  Use f/5.6-f/8, and don't print at full aperture 
either because of the chance of soft corners.

It has to be something simple, these enlargers (the V35) are quite 
bulletproof if used properly.

Good luck

JB



Replies: Reply from daniel.ridings at muspro.uio.no (Daniel Ridings) ([Leica] Focomat V35)
In reply to: Message from locke at straylight.ca (Greg Locke) (Re. [Leica] Conformity in Athens NOW BEING A SHOOTER!)
Message from feli at creocollective.com (Feli di Giorgio) (Re. [Leica] Conformity in Athens NOW BEING A SHOOTER!)
Message from jon.stanton at comcast.net (Jon) ([Leica] Focomat V35)
Message from jblack at ambio.net (John Black) ([Leica] Focomat V35)
Message from jon.stanton at comcast.net (Jon) ([Leica] Focomat V35)