Focomat v35 vertical column adjustment does not work

jackbaty · Dec 21, 2013

I just received a Focomat v35 and am trying to calibrate autofocus by adjusting the column height to match my easel. Rotating the adjustment knob on top of the column does nothing (and I have loosened the retaining knob on the side of the column). I removed the enlarger from the baseboard and see that there's a nut on the threaded adjustment rod but the nut and rod just spin freely. I cannot seem to figure out how it *should* work. I'm hoping someone has a photo of how the mechanism looks when working correctly. The only image I found on the web is at the bottom of this page: http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/photo/v35.htm. It does not really show the rod clearly enough.

I don't suppose anyone has a better photo?

pstake · Dec 21, 2013

I can't help except to say that I don't rely on the autofocus on my V35. I focus manually every time and it's not much of a hassle, and then I have the satisfaction of visibly seeing the grain snap into focus. Autofocus is the only reason to adjust the column for the height of your easel.

Unless your doing large, quick quanitites of prints (as in olden days of newspapers), there's not really any reason you should need the speed of autofocus.

Just my 2 cents.

mexipike · Dec 21, 2013

Can you snap a few pictures of exactly the section you're talking about?
I have a v35 and can maybe figure out what you're missing or need to do, though I don't really want to take it apart too much.

jackbaty · Dec 21, 2013

pstake said:
I can't help except to say that I don't rely on the autofocus on my V35.

I have been manually focusing so far and you're right, it's not much hassle. I'd still like to be able to take advantage of autofocus if possible. It's a neat feature of the v35.

pstake · Dec 21, 2013

jackbaty said:
I have been manually focusing so far and you're right, it's not much hassle. I'd still like to be able to take advantage of autofocus if possible. It's a neat feature of the v35.

Another pseudo-useful piece of information:

The V35 is the only enlarger Leica will still service ...

But the cost of shipping it and servicing it will undoubtedly be high. Like others, I'm not keen on dismantling mine to take a photo.

That said, I have had excellent luck getting information from Leica USA. If you email them the problem, they may help you with photos and/or a service manual.

jackbaty · Dec 21, 2013

pstake said:
Another pseudo-useful piece of information:
That said, I have had excellent luck getting information from Leica USA. If you email them the problem, they may help you with photos and/or a service manual.

That's a good idea.

I wasn't suggesting that anyone actually disassemble their enlarger to take a photo. Just hoping that someone might have one off the baseboard already. Long shot, probably. I will try contacting Leica.

Thanks

pstake · Dec 21, 2013

If you want to message me your email address, I will email the user manual. Probably won't help with this current conundrum but might be useful to have.

Xpres · Dec 22, 2013

I have the carcass of a v35 that I haven't had the heart to throw yet. So I can pull it apart and film/photo. It's not the best time of year to find the time, so hope you're not in a rush.

Vernon · Dec 22, 2013

What I've done after releasing the retaining knob is to rest my right elbow on the base board and grip the column, then lifting the column while turning the adjustment knob.

Focomat v35 vertical column adjustment does not work

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency