Agfa Varioscope 60 enlarger

mark campbell · Oct 18, 2020

I just received an Agfa Varioscope enlarger. It looks in very good condition. It has the lenses 50mm and the 105mm lens for 6 x 9 negatives. I am very impressed with the engineering quality. It looks so solid and well built. I am hoping to get it set up and working in the next couple of weeks. I am looking forward to enlarging some 6 x 9 negatives form my Fiji GSW 690 camera.
Is anyone on here using that enlarger?

AgX · Oct 18, 2020

mark campbell said:
I am very impressed with the engineering quality. It looks so solid and well built.

It was intended for commercial use, not for amateurs.

By the way, check the wiring. At my sample the rubber isolation partially hardened and can brake off.

AgX · Oct 18, 2020

A further by-the-way: the name of this enlarger is spelled without this english e at the end.
But nonetheless with an english c, instead of the german k. A puzzling peculiarity by Agfa.

tomaso5906 · Feb 3, 2021

Ciao Mark. Dopo 3 mesi dal ricevimento l'hai usato? Le tue impressioni generali? La qualità delle ottiche? La messa a fuoco automatica funziona alla perfezione? Avrei intenzione di cercarne uno anche io. le tue informazioni mi sarebbero di grande aiuto.

mark campbell · Feb 5, 2021

tomaso5906 said:
Ciao Mark. Dopo 3 mesi dal ricevimento l'hai usato? Le tue impressioni generali? La qualità delle ottiche? La messa a fuoco automatica funziona alla perfezione? Avrei intenzione di cercarne uno anche io. le tue informazioni mi sarebbero di grande aiuto.

Hi Tomaso
I have the enlarger set up now. The overall impression is "wow" it is wonderful. Extremely well made and solid. The autofocus is a mechanical system to keep the image focused at any height and size.
The lenses look top quality too. I have yet to make big enlargements but am excited to see what it can do.

choiliefan · Feb 6, 2021

Looks similar to a Leitz Focomat IIA.
Is it autofocus as well?

AgX · Feb 6, 2021

It is basically a medium format (6x9cm) Focomat, intended for professional labs. Main difference is the use of lenses in helical barrel in proprietary mount. So you had to use the two Agfa lenses made for it.

mark campbell · Feb 6, 2021

I was thinking about trying to modify it for use with Shneider etc lenses but the original lenses are very good so no need as they are in good condition. Yes very similar to Focomat, small differences if you look closely. Overall it is a very solid enlarger.

Agfa Varioscope 60 enlarger

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