Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have two Focomat IIC in my small darkroom. One is a conventional one with the Focotar 60/4,5 and a Focotar-2 100/4,5. The 100 mm lens is a phenomenal lens and the 60/4,5 is OK. I would like to fit my 50 Focotar-2 on it instead as it is a better lens, but it would require some major surgery to the helicoil and I have abstained ( so far). It is a massive enlarger, weighing in at 85lbs and the autofocus is dead on with both lenses ( which is a relief, as the autofocus system on the IIc is far more complex than the one on the Ic). It is a very good enlarger and will probably outlast even the youngest LUGger as well as silverhalide based films!! If you can find one at a reasonable price it is well worth having. Always check condition of the condensor on these machines, a replacement condensor is approx $1200 if you can find one!! My second IIc is a point source enlarger with 7 aspherically ground condensors and a small, powerful halogen bulb, built in shutter (by the predecessor of Uni-Blitz in Rochester,N.Y.). This one barely covers 24x36 mm and reputedly was designed to produce ultra high resolution images from surveillance shots done with the 180/3,4. According to ELCAN's (Ernst Leitz Canada) specsheet it can resolve 265 lines/mm on the easel !!! Nice machine, weighs twice as much as the regular IIc and is rather fast to print with. 11x14 fibre base, with fiberbase paper and # 3 filter will print in 0,9 sec. Dodging and burning is rather a snappy decision!! Tom A