Focomat IIc with Ilford Multigrade 500 head

[Trond]

On Monday I picked up an extremely dirty, but almost complete, Focomat IIc with a Multigrade 500H head (for free!). The head has the diffuser adaptor kit.

The only part missing is the mixing box, so I am thinking of making one myself. I would be very grateful if someone who has a similar combination can take some measurements of the mixing box, including the size and placement of the openings on the sides.

I know that Ilford provided two different adaptor kits for the Focomat IIc, the diffuser variety I have, and another one that sits on top of the condensers. It would be great if someone who has the head with the condenser adaptor kit can take some photos of it, and also take some measurements of the corresponding mixing box.

Many thanks,
Trond

 

[JW PHOTO]

I have the older 400HS head on a 1C, but I would bet the mixing boxes are the same for 35mm or close to it. If you are using the 11C for medium format then I'd just make the box slightly larger than the opening for the film you use. I think you will get by just fine using the medium format box for both 35mm and medium format. Mine rests right on the condenser itself. I don't know if it was suppose to be this way or not, but it works just fine for me. I also have a 400HL head on an old Omega D3 4X5 enlarger. That one came without a mixing chamber/box so I modified a mixing box out of a Chromega color head mixing box and it also works just fine for $X% and medium format. I like this setup and can print all my 35mm stuff on the Focomat 1C and all my medium format and 4X5 on the D3. No swapping out mixing boxes that way. I'm at my cottage until Monday, but if you don't get a picture by then I'll snap one an post it. John W

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Trond, I think I can help.

Have look at this manual if you need it.

Give me a few days and I'll measure up the box.

George

 

[Trond]

Thanks John and George! Much appreciated.

I'm still not sure if I'm going to use the head, but I will make a mixing box so that I can try it out. The thing is that I currently use a StopClock Professional, which is a f-stop timer, and I don't think I want to abandon that. I know there is a StopClock 500 for the Multigrade 500 head, but can't afford that now. Perhaps one day..

Trond

 

[youngrichard]

MG500 mixing boxes

I may be able to help.
Not sure if you have the register plates. If not let me know and I will measure them.
The mixing box for 35mm is 56mm x 39mm in section, 141mm high, and the drop from the supporting lugs is 40mm. The windows are 24mm x 32mm, and the lower edge of the window is 53mm above the lugs, or 84mm above the base. The diffuser material is supported on a 2mm ridge formed by bending in the lower edge of the metal box. The box is formed from 1mm metal, and lined with some sort of dull i.e. not shiny white card which I suppose may have some heat absorbing properties.
The 6x7 box is 89mm x 78mm; the lower edge of the window is at same height above the base and the lugs, but the whole box is a bit higher at 150mm.
Looking more closely I now see that the bottom of the boxes, beginning at the level of the lugs, is lined by very thin reflective metal.
These things do come up infrequently on eBay, but the drop from the lugs to the bottom of the box is seems to be greater for the Focomat 11c kit than for most if not all other enlargers.
I only use the 6x7 box for 35mm and MF. There doesn't seem to be any advantage to using the 35mm box for 35mm.

Best of luck

Richard

 

[youngrichard]

Thanks John and George! Much appreciated.

The thing is that I currently use a StopClock Professional, which is a f-stop timer, and I don't think I want to abandon that. I know there is a StopClock 500 for the Multigrade 500 head, but can't afford that now. Perhaps one day..

Trond

PS I have the RH Designs Analyser 500, much better than the MG500c controller.
Richard

 

[Trond]

Sorry for not replying sooner. Thanks for the measurements! Do you know if there is a mixing box for 6x9 as well? I'm planning on using mat board to make a new mixing box. Should be good enough for a test.

Many thanks,
Trond

 

[youngrichard]

MG 500 mixing boxes

There were 3 sizes, up to 35 mm, up to 6x7, and up to 4x5. I use 6x7 box for 35mm and 6x7; I imagine you can use 4x5 box for 35mm up to 4x5. But I don't think I have ever seen a 4x5 box on eBay.
Richard

 

[apasz]

I bought a 4x5 box this year on eBay (US).