Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>Folks, esp. UK folks, > >Just as I was about to compare the (newish) Apo-Companon with my Focotar on >some juicy large blow ups, I had a blow out and the enlarger's bulb went >'for a burton'. The story that unfolds explains the problems of acquiring a >new one to suit. > >There being no proper Leica dealer locally, I called the largest camera >store in Manchester (Jessops World Camera Centre), possibly the largest >camera store in the UK and spent 20 minutes talking to three assistants, >each slightly more informed than the previous but none of them capable of >telling me that they had the bulb I needed, a Philips 12v 75w 13139. They >offered an Osram bulb, stating that they dont stock Philips, suggesting it >because it was 'the most popular' they sell. This beggared belief! > >I called Leica in Milton Keynes only to find that I couldn't speak to Spare >Parts but the accountant in Finance did his best to help! I was promised a >call back which may happen tomorrow. > >Later I visited a nearer Jessops and looked at this Osram suggestion in the >wake of their having any 13139 bulbs to offer, it was indeed the bulb I >suspected that I had read warnings about. The curvature of the reflector is >different and also the hieght is slightly smaller, it would still fit and >give a result but the illumination is far from perfect with it, so I left >it naturally. > >And finally I visited a small independant light bulb/fitting shop in my >town and arrived 5 minutes after he closed. He was over the road talking to >another shopkeeper and asked if he could help. He then went to on to open >his shop, tell me that GE made an identical bulb, checked his stock, >offered me a 55w version if I wanted, rang his stockist and ordered two 75w >bulbs for me. Checked the order with his comprehensive set of sales >booklets and rang his stockist back to confirm the delivery date in two >days time. I was bowled over by the difference in attitude. > >The moral seems to be don't visit Jessops for a replacement V35 bulb. Find >a knowledgable light shop. > >Jem What did he charge? My friendly Leica dealer here charges DM 84 for the Philips 12v 75w 13139 which is a little more than 25 punds sterling. - -- Christer Almqvist D-20255 Hamburg, Germany and/or F-50590 Regnéville-sur-Mer, France