focomat 1c focusing issue

[mawoodhouse]

Hello all,

I received a Focomat 1c about a year ago that had frayed wires, which I just now got around to restoring. I have now run into another weird issue I cannot troubleshoot for the life of me; I can't focus anything larger that a 2x3 image (which can only be done when the head is pushed down all the way). When I raise the head up to anything above it's lowest point, the focus is lost and cannot set.

What am I doing wrong here? I'm sure it is something simple I am not understanding (I'm fairly new to the up keeping my own enlarger).

 

[chip j]

You need a Leitz 17675 extension tube to focus a 50mm or so.

 

[choiliefan]

Which lens are you using on your enlarger? If it's the Focotar 4.5, you need the DOORX tube between lens and mount to begin troubleshooting the problem.

 

[John Koehrer]

A manual along with the tube's going to help.
Do you have the locking wooden easel for it? As I recall the machine's set up for a 1" high baseboard
from the factory.
If you're using a shorter board, instructions to recalibrate it are.......in the book. Had one, it's got a few quirks.

 

[mawoodhouse]

Thank you all for the replies.

chip & choiliefan: I have the extension tube already installed, I checked after seeing your post.

John: I have looked at the manual online, but it only speaks about the auto-focus. I can only assume that may be the culprit, but I have attempted to adjust the autofocus to no avail, since I run into the issue of not being able to adjust the focus at the largest possible enlargement height (which is the first step in the manual). Perhaps I'm missing a way to reset it?

And it isn't just slightly out of focus, the image is a complete blur.

 

[chip j]

Try moving the pins at the base of the column; that will raise or lower the whole apparatus.

 

[chip j]

Actuality,, the pin is about 1/3 up the column, at the base of the enlarger "head"--there should be an empty hole on the column beneath the pin.

 

[choiliefan]

What lens are you using on your 1C? I have a 50mm APO Rodagon on mine which required an additional 7mm tube on the DOORX to make it work correctly.

Have you screwed the focusing helical all the way in and then slowly out while focusing? You may have to remove the "spring catches" on the knurled grip since they can bind against the casting at the back of the housing in order to nail your problem.

 

[John Koehrer]

Where's the parallelogram/focus thingy mounted on the column? I should be somewhere near the middle. Sorta kinda.
It's been over 40 years since I dealt with one of these so it's a SWAG approach.

With a negative carrier in place your maximum print size should be around 11X14 maybe slightly smaller? Another SWAG.

 

[choiliefan]

The manual states that in AF-mode it will do 10X max. It's capable of making bigger enlargements by raising the unit farther up the column or turning it around for floor projection.

There are two holes drilled in the column. The lower hole is for paper affixed directly to the base surface. The top hole is used if you have the Leitz adjustable easel which is approx 1" thick. This is if you are using the AF mechanism only.

 

[chip j]

I think any 1" thick easel will do (Saunders).

 

[Ronald Moravec]

After pin and easel height are coordinated, Rest the enlarger on the pin and lock down. raise head to 10X which is full up. Adjust the thumb screw on the parallelogram next to magnification scale on right side to achieve focus. Lower head to 2.5X and adjust focus by turning lens. repeat as required. Both need to to be locked down.

This is not a guess. This is procedure.

 

[John Koehrer]

The enlarger CAN be set up to use a standard easel with AF. Easy to do with the book. I used to use a standard
Saunders four blade when I got tired of messing with a Leitz easel.

 

[choiliefan]

Eagerly awaiting report from the OP...

 

[LouisGR]

As choilifan said a few posts ago, the lower hole is for focusing onto the baseboard. The upper hole is for the Leitz easel. The distance between the lower and the upper holes is the same as the thickness of the Leitz easel. If your easel is different in thickness, you have to measure it accurately and set the parallelogram that distance above the top of the power hole. The autofocus will then work well if it is set up correctly and you have the right lens. The manual has clear instructions for setting up the autofocus for 50 mm enlarging lenses. The only tools you need are a small screwdriver and a focusing aid.

It's worth spending some time getting this right. The Focomat 1c is a brilliant enlarger.

 

[Hilo]

Maybe it is still not clear:

- you need a chrome pin in one of the two holes in the column. Only when resting the foot of the parallelogram on this pin (and locking the parallelogram to the column) you will have automatic focus. If you do not have this pin, use a thick nail. And tell us where on the column your parallelogram was attached when you tried to make it work.

You will lose all automatic focus if you bring up the parallelogram. By the way, still no problem. I do a lot of 20X24 and bring up the enlarger a lot for that purpose