Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/21

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Focomat question
From: Christer Almqvist <chris@almqvist.net>
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 09:42:54 +0000

>I have a bastardised Focomat 1c with a Nikkor lens and one of those
>extension tube thingies. I have set up the autofocus as best I can,
>following a photocopied instruction manual. It works, kind of.
>
>Two questions:
>
>1)    Is the autofocus designed for a particular lens, or length of lens?
>Should I really buy a Focotar?
>
>2)    How do other people manage VC on Focomat 1c? I have a clumsy
>arrangement using Ilford below-the-lens filters, but it's ugly, man, ugly
>ugly UGLY.

Ugly? The Focomats are beauties. As somebody said here a while ago.. the
V35 looks like a kitchen appliance. I changed to a V35 but only after
having tested one against the other. The 1c with the original 50mm Leitz
lens plus a DIY holder for  Ilford below-the-lens filters (ugly? yes!) does
not not give you worse or better enlargements than the V35 with a 40 mm
original (current) lens, but the V35 is much more convenient to work with:
- - up to 16x enlargements on the base plate
- - less dust marks
- - easier to adjust position of negative
- - does not get hot
- - convenience of changing filter factor

The V35s seem to be falling in price every month. Keep your eyes open and
you may find a good used one for 500 pounds sterling. Check the inside of
the lens for dust marks (surface treatment of the aperture blades coming
off), and if the are none: buy.

>
>
>"Never run after your own hat. Others will be delighted to do it - why spoil
>their fun?" - Mark Twain


- --
christer almqvist
eichenstrasse 57, d-20255 hamburg, fon +49-40-407111 fax +49-40-4908440
14 rue de la hauteur, f-50590 regnéville-sur-mer, fon+fax +33-233 45 35 58