• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Edge to edge focuser

Latest Gallery

Lost

H
Lost

  • 0
  • 0
  • 43
Joints

H
Joints

  • 0
  • 0
  • 31

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
203,531
Messages
2,856,103
Members
101,888
Latest member
Hans Hansen
Recent bookmarks
0

hiroh

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Messages
319
Location
Lisbon
Format
Multi Format
What's a good focuser that lets you see the projected image edge to edge? I’m using a Paterson focuser, but I can only see around the center of the image.

I’ve heard the Peak 2030 lets you see edge to edge, but they’re not taking new orders right now, and I can’t find it anywhere else.

Any good alternatives? Preferably something I can get in Europe.
 
Check eBay for the Peak/Omega Model I. It is the only one I know of. The front-surface mirror can be replaced if necessary.
 
I found a few Micromegas. Are they good? If there’s nothing else, I can go ahead and buy one of these.
 
Kienzle makes their version of the Peak focus finder. Knowing Kienzle I suspect it to be very accurate and rock solid. Among others, it is sold through Foto-Impex.

KIENZLE Micro Focus Finder Pro - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

Grain Focuser with 10x enlargement, made from aluminum, with movable eyepiece With the movable eyepiece you will have the advantage of setting the focus not only in the ...
www.fotoimpex.com www.fotoimpex.com
 
hiroh said:
What's a good focuser that lets you see the projected image edge to edge? I’m using a Paterson focuser, but I can only see around the center of the image.

I’ve heard the Peak 2030 lets you see edge to edge, but they’re not taking new orders right now, and I can’t find it anywhere else.

Any good alternatives? Preferably something I can get in Europe.
Click to expand...

If you put your Paterson focuser on the edge of the image, why can't you see it?
 
cliveh said:
If you put your Paterson focuser on the edge of the image, why can't you see it?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think the head is casting a shadow. I’ve tried different maneuvers, but I can’t see too far from the center.
 
There needs to be an elongated mirror plus a tilting head. I use the Peak Model 1. It will work in the corners, and is a far more precise instrument than anything Patterson offers. Used examples often turn up, or else the Micromega rebrand of the same thing. The Kienzle link posted previously employs the same concept.
 
It might be possible if you can access all around the sides of the easel, meaning the enlarger table is freestanding and you can walk all around it.
 
cliveh said:
If you put your Paterson focuser on the edge of the image, why can't you see it?
Click to expand...

I don't know but if anyone can give instructions as to what you do with the Paterson to get beyond a fairly restricted view of the centre of the negative projection then let him speak, No-one has spoken in my nearly 20 years here

pentaxuser
 
hiroh said:
What's a good focuser that lets you see the projected image edge to edge? I’m using a Paterson focuser, but I can only see around the center of the image.

I’ve heard the Peak 2030 lets you see edge to edge, but they’re not taking new orders right now, and I can’t find it anywhere else.

Any good alternatives? Preferably something I can get in Europe.
Click to expand...

I have the Peak Focuser, and it can indeed focus edge to edge but the magnification is less than with some other popular models, That's why mine is still in its original box and for sale at $200 OBO
 
RalphLambrecht said:
I have the Peak Focuser, and it can indeed focus edge to edge but the magnification is less than with some other popular models, That's why mine is still in its original box and for sale at $200 OBO
Click to expand...

Does Omega have the same magnification as Peak? I’m asking because I’m in the market for one, but I hadn’t considered the magnification factor.
 
hiroh said:
Yeah, I think the head is casting a shadow. I’ve tried different maneuvers, but I can’t see too far from the center.
Click to expand...

I suppose you do realise that there are two models of Paterson focus finder? The larger one is only useful for larger print sizes/enlarger magnifications, but it gets your head out of the line of fire, as it were. As for walking round the image, if the enlarger is set up parallel to the base-board, there should be no need the check the further side.

However, neither Paterson model is useable around the edges of the image circle. I haven’t ever found a Peak magnifier cheap enough to be attractive, and to be honest I don’t really find it necessary anyway. I set the enlarger up carefully, check it occasionally, take care to avoid the (35mm) negative popping by minimising the time the enlarger is switched on between exposures, and thereafter assume that if the centre is accurately focussed the edges will be as good as they can be. Seems to work for me.
 
hiroh said:
Does Omega have the same magnification as Peak? I’m asking because I’m in the market for one, but I hadn’t considered the magnification factor.
Click to expand...

10x magnification is sufficient, but some offer 25x. Unfortunately, they are the ones that can't do edge-to-edge. You must decide what is more important to you.
 
snusmumriken said:
I suppose you do realise that there are two models of Paterson focus finder? The larger one is only useful for larger print sizes/enlarger magnifications, but it gets your head out of the line of fire, as it were. As for walking round the image, if the enlarger is set up parallel to the base-board, there should be no need the check the further side.

However, neither Paterson model is useable around the edges of the image circle. I haven’t ever found a Peak magnifier cheap enough to be attractive, and to be honest I don’t really find it necessary anyway. I set the enlarger up carefully, check it occasionally, take care to avoid the (35mm) negative popping by minimising the time the enlarger is switched on between exposures, and thereafter assume that if the centre is accurately focussed the edges will be as good as they can be. Seems to work for me.
Click to expand...













true. if you find that corners are out of focus when the center is in focus, or visa versa, then realignment or film flattening is necessary anyway
 
Soon as you move the Paterson a little off center the patch starts to “cat eye” and any more than six inches it becomes unusable
 
I like being to evaluate if the image is any good for printing, that’s a great advantage. If you can’t acquire a long-mirror-type focuser you may be able to judge negative quality before putting it in the enlarger.

Looks like there are a few on eBay in the $200 neighborhood. That’s a price you may need to pay
 
pentaxuser said:
I don't know but if anyone can give instructions as to what you do with the Paterson to get beyond a fairly restricted view of the centre of the negative projection then let him speak, No-one has spoken in my nearly 20 years here
Click to expand...

If the enlarger is aligned properly and the negative is flat, you don't need to worry about the corners: if the centre is in focus, the corners are in focus.
I don't see much need to see in the corners.
 
There is a second reason to have a magnifier which is usable out to the corners. It tells you a lot about lens performance, lens to lens, or at differing apertures. This is especially helpful in critical color printing, or even more so, in fussy duplication work.
 
This is probably a daft question, but I take it you are using the focus finder with the enlarger lens at full aperture and with no filtration.
 
cliveh said:
This is probably a daft question, but I take it you are using the focus finder with the enlarger lens at full aperture and with no filtration.
Click to expand...

Either way Cliveh, the mirror on the Paterson focus aid is too small to move it off centre enough to check focus at the edge of an image.
 
Don - if the center is in focus, the margins aren't necessarily in best focus at all, especially wide open. If you want that kind of performance, you have to use something like an Apo f/9 highly corrected process lenses at longer than "normal" focal length. That is one more thing a superior magnifier will tell you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:
Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom