Focomat Ic

[Minolten]

Hello. It's time for a final decision regarding the first enlarger I want to buy. After reading many posts I figured out that Focomat IC is what I want. On my local market there are two options. Could you advice me looking at the pictures which would be better and why? I'm sure you can see more, and I would like to make a smart choice. Thanks for help

https://allegro.pl/oferta/focomat-i...9548?utm_medium=app_share&utm_source=facebook

https://allegro.pl/oferta/powieksza...3738?utm_medium=app_share&utm_source=facebook

 

[baachitraka]

1) Focotar lens must take an adapter, check if you have one.

2) I may not care about the bulb and the wiring

3) Look for base plate

4) Look for two arrest clamps with screws are in place (arrest clamps are to the focus ring)

5) Film holder

6) There is fine focus screw on right bottom of the bulb housing

7) Look for any dents (rare but mishandling may lead to miss alignment etc)

8) Cracks on Red safe light

 

[Hilo]

For sure I would get the first:

- I think it has the long column and the large baseboard, the second Ic has the short column and a smaller baseboard
- the lens of the first Ic is the Schneider made Focotar 50mm, which is the better Focotar (with the Focotar-2 50mm) and for sure much better than the 5cm Focotar of the 2nd Ic
- It was rewired
- It looks like the first Ic will have the clamping system for the Leitz easel underneath the baseboard, but this may lack the lever sticking out on the right side of the baseboard (it often does). Ask!
- Both enlargers have no filter tray or holder. It is easy to solve this
- The second enlarger has the Anti Newton ring for sure, ask if the first does too. I think it does show it has in the last picture
- The adapter baachitraka speaks about is in fact an extension ring that drops the lens down by 1cm. It should be there. It has either 17675 or DOORX marked on its side
- both have the negative holders

 

[baachitraka]

- YMMV but I never had any problems with Newton rings till data.

- Tray to hold folders, if you find one then it may not come cheap. But its handy if you do or practice fine printing (burning & dodging)

- I have non Schneider Focotar which is not bad, but I print mostly on 8x10 inch paper.