Focomat 1c in need of restoration

[analoguey]

I have a chance to get a Leitz focomat that's in need of serious restoration work - wires gone, support bar and others rusted (including the dome). It's been unused, in storage for thirty years.

I know I'd need to get the bulb and wiring replaced i also know i need to clean out the rest and possibly paint but i can't check if the focus is working or if the bulb lights up so would it be a good thing for restoration?

Are there any manuals or should i just pass it on - mind you, enlargers arent easy to come by here.

I had initially passed it over a few months ago, but now rethinking it.

Thoughts?


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[tony lockerbie]

I use a 1C for most of my 35mm. Great enlarger and I have fitted mine with a Ilford MG head and this is a perfect combo. I don't know about the restoration of yours but I would imagine that it would be well worth it if the optical parts (condenser, lens etc.) are in good condition. I actually replaced the somewhat slow Focotar with a 50mm Apo-Rodagon, but the Focatar is still a great lens if it's clear and clean.
I have never really relied on the autofocus being accurate and always check the focus every time, but this feature is handy for sizing. Good luck with the Leitz and I hope you save it from the rubbish tip!

 

[analoguey]

Thanks Tony - actually, barring the metal parts being okay (spots of rust from disuse etc.,) I cant actually verify the condition of anything electrical - I was just interested in a daylight tank the man had, but he wanted everything to be taken together.

The lens looked okay - I didnt shine a torch through it, but it seemed clean enough. (Irritatingly, I seem to have only one picture of it, when I had the opportunity to take lots of it!)

I am hoping I can save it from the the heap too, will have a chat with the owner soon anyway(too bad he isn't a short drive away)

 

[Andrew K]

the are a lovely thing to use....I've had one for 35mm for years...

Don't worry about the condition - as long as it has a condensor fitted and and a negative carrier you will be able to restore it.

Don't trust the autofocus - it works, but it's always best to re-focus once you've changed magnification..

Cheers

Andrew

 

[Hilo]

If this 1C is very inexpensive, I would take it. Fixing it is not difficult and it will teach you how it works. The automatic focus hardly ever goes off, and as said here before one always checks the focus with a grain focuser while printing, which each negative again.

Use white spirits for the chrome parts, just a bit on a piece of cloth. After these parts are clean put a little regular vaseline on your hands and rub the chrome parts. After that do not touch these parts with your bare hands anymore. If the chrome is really bad, try a chrome polisher from a tube before the vaseline

Use a damp-with-warm-water cloth for the black parts, after you have dusted off with a soft brush . . . then put 2 - 3 cm white spirits in a jar and add 5 - 6 drops of regular oil. Apply this to all the black parts with a paintbrush, they'll come out as new (the white spirits evaporate, the oil stays)

The condensor you take out (look carefully how it must be put back in when you do) and wash it with dishwasher soap in warm water, rinse well and shake of the water before letting it dry.

There are red painted holes in certain parts of the paralellogram, put some drops of sowing machine oil in them.

It will be nice if there is a anti newton glass attached to the bottom of the condensor. This presses down your negative and prevents Newton rings. But if you do not have this glass, there are other ways to prevent the AN rings.

Good luck and ask anything if unsure - Michael

 

[analoguey]

Thanks for the encouragement, Andrew and Michael!

And also for the tips!
Michael, that's useful advice - I'll definitely do that the moment I get it over.
From most indications the owner just wanted it to goto a home where it would be used, ill anyways be confirming that before I go ahead.
White spirits would be denatured alcohol or such?

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[baachitraka]

Any photos of the enlarger we can see. Keep the condensor element and negative carrier safe.

I have replaced all the wires and bypass the switch. Again send some photos of its condition and let me see what I can do for you.

 

[analoguey]

I have one, I'll put it up.

 

[analoguey]

This is what it looks like - the photo makes it look better than it was though.

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[baachitraka]

Looks good to me, carefully rewire it and in case if you don't get the wire through the column don't worry just bring the wire out from the head.

You have easel which can lock to the baseboard and that is very good.

Also careful with condensor element and retaining sprint.

Good luck, start printing till you really exhaust.

 

[analoguey]

Thanks - thats not the original baseboard from what I have been told, its a replacement, made by the owner

Can I retrofit that connection to a timer?

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[baachitraka]

After long hesitation I bought an electronic timer and before that I was using a metronome.

I do not understand what connection do you mean? Do you have a mechanical timer there?

 

[analoguey]

I read online that some focomats have a outlet to connect to a timer - was referring to that.

(Probably at glenview cameras?)

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[baachitraka]

Did you got any lens with that enlarger? Check its condition.

I put a 3-pin plug that goes into the timer on one end and other end into the enlarger head connecting the bulb. May cost you Rs.100 and 30mins of time to do the re-wiring...

Check whether you can turn the focus ring, which is stiff and may need an extra effort to turn. There is also an screw for fine focusing, please check that in a manual.

 

[analoguey]

Focus ring worked I think when the owner showed it, I don't have it with me yet.
Yes, ill definitely pick up a manual for this.

I wasn't that interested in the enlarger then - so I have only photo from there -should've erred on the side of taking more pictures.

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[baachitraka]

It is one good enlarger, check whether it has got any lens.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/manuals.html - Leitz Ic

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.de/index.php/Bedienungsanleitungen in German

 

[baachitraka]

I will not do any repainting.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Focotar_-_1_1:4.5_/_50_mm

 

[analoguey]

Thanks for the links - are you saying no to repainting because of the loss of finish, or possible loss of smooth operation?(the latter is already lost - with about 10+ years in storage, rust and stiffness not unexpected, anyways)

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[baachitraka]

- Condition of the lens.
- Proper wiring, electric shock is no fun.

How much is asking price?

 

[analoguey]

Asking is Rs. 4,000 for the enlarger and other items the chap had - he doesnt want to sell only select items.
There's transport charge to me as well should be about 2-3,000.

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[baachitraka]

Rs. 4000 is okay if he got the lens. From where you have to pick it up?

 

[analoguey]

It's in Ahmedabad, Gujarat - I'll have it transported here to Bangalore.

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[baachitraka]

Okay. Ask for the lens and its condition? You can also ask for discount in case lens is not looking good.

 

[MattKing]

The condensor you take out (look carefully how it must be put back in when you do) and wash it with dishwasher soap in warm water, rinse well and shake of the water before letting it dry.

For clarity, I think HILO is referring here to soap that I would call "dish-washing soap" - the stuff intended to be used in a kitchen sink when washing dishes by hand.

Where I live, "dishwasher soap" (or more commonly, "dishwasher detergent") refers to the stuff you put into a dish washing machine.

 

[analoguey]

Ah? There's a difference between those? I thought they're both interchangeable. Dont remember in the US, but other places, used them interchangeably

@baachtrika thats a good suggestion, thanks.

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