Focotar service UK

[apbphoto]

Hi, can anyone recommend a competent repair place for Focotar lenses in U.K.? Leica no longer service them. They just need an internal clean no fungus or serious issues but I feel the contrast is affected.

 

[koraks]

If it's just a little cleaning, you could easily manage yourself, I'd say.
I also suspect that if it's just a little dust and no fungus or heavy haze, impact on contrast of your prints is likely minimal and not visible with the naked eye.

 

[apbphoto]

Thanks but I don't have the tools or know-how to dismantle the lenses and the effect is indeed visible to the naked eye which is why I want to improve the situation. I know because I have compared it to clearer versions of the same lens model besides other lenses of the same calibre (Componons, Rodagons and El-Nikkors)

 

[AgX]

Any camera/lens workshop should be able to do so.

 

[Hilo]

I agree with AgX. You could ask Paul Petterson from Second Hand Darkroom Supplies. He would know someone in the UK . . . I know someone here in the Netherlands who just serviced a 100mm Elmar for the Focomat IIc at a good price. But it hardly makes sense for you to send it abroad.

 

[R.Gould]

Newton and Ekkis in Liverpool should be able to handle this, I have had them servive/repair lenses and cameras for a long time and they have never let me down, everything from Barnack leicas to folders to Minolta's, donn't have their web address to hand but look them up

 

[apbphoto]

Thanks Hilo, AgX and R.Gould, I tried Newton Ellis but not sure if 8 weeks plus costs of £95 plus VAT and shipping per lens makes much sense as I got two enlargers and lenses for less than that. Maybe I will attempt to clean them myself. Lens spanner and isopropyl alcohol are on the way...
Will start on the less exotic lenses first of course!

 

[Hilo]

Which Focotars are you talking about? Some are worth the money and the effort, others less . . .

 

[apbphoto]

I have from each of the three generations of 50/4.5. The only one that is in pristine condition is a second generation one (i.e. the one made my Schneider). I just got that for around 30 pounds last month so it makes no sense to spend a lot more than that on the older ones though I am unsure about a Focotar 2...
I will try to clean up the first generation ones first myself and see whether I have the confidence to work on others!

 

[Bikerider]

The company I have used in the past is Camera Rrepairs at 9 Wharfside, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2AZ.Phone: 01908 378088. He is closed today but open at 9am Monday.

He has had three jobs from me, cleaning a Rodagon Apo lens. Cleaning and servicing my Minolta XM and my Minolta Autocord. He is a one man band so I believe, but his work impeccable. The equipment was returned between 7 and 10 days by Special delivery and his prices were very reasonable. I would recommend them to anyone.
I would say he is very underrated.

He will certainly be cheaper than newton and Ellis

He is also a Minolta specialist and is reputed to have bought up all the Minolta spares in UK when the firm was absorbed by Sony. This is worthwhile knowing.

 

[Bikerider]

I agree with AgX. You could ask Paul Petterson from Second Hand Darkroom Supplies. He would know someone in the UK . . . I know someone here in the Netherlands who just serviced a 100mm Elmar for the Focomat IIc at a good price. But it hardly makes sense for you to send it abroad.

According to his website Paul at SDS is open only on a few days each month because of the lockdown. Check the website to see what they are

 

[apbphoto]

According to his website Paul at SDS is open only on a few days each month because of the lockdown. Check the website to see what they are

Thanks all: I know Paul and he's not far from my home. I saw he was away most of the time until June and he is sure to know someone for repairs - it just didn't occur to me before! The Milton Keynes one sounds very promising. Thank you for this!

 

[Hilo]

I have from each of the three generations of 50/4.5. The only one that is in pristine condition is a second generation one (i.e. the one made my Schneider). I just got that for around 30 pounds last month so it makes no sense to spend a lot more than that on the older ones though I am unsure about a Focotar 2...

Of course we all think differently about things, which is good. But I would not only think in terms of money, or the so-called reputation of the lens. In the case of the three versions 50mm for the Focomat Ic and the Valoy II, if I could turn a first version into a lens with totally clean glass and a serviced aperture ring, then I would not mind to pay whatever is a reasonable price for repair & cla. I have use for all three versions and I find it extremely positive to save and use this precious equipment.

On the other hand, tell us when you succeed. We need repair people!

 

[Lachlan Young]

Of course we all think differently about things, which is good. But I would not only think in terms of money, or the so-called reputation of the lens. In the case of the three versions 50mm for the Focomat Ic and the Valoy II, if I could turn a first version into a lens with totally clean glass and a serviced aperture ring, then I would not mind to pay whatever is a reasonable price for repair & cla. I have use for all three versions and I find it extremely positive to save and use this precious equipment.

On the other hand, tell us when you succeed. We need repair people!

I agree - I'd rather pay less for a potentially good lens in need of a service/ clean etc, spend on good quality work bringing it up to spec & end up with a nice lens that performs as it should, often for less money overall than one sold as being in better initial condition.

 

[Hilo]

apbphoto, I saw your post in the Leica forum and wonder if you found the part for your Ic? If not, I may have it for you. As you thought it works with the automatic focus cam.

Which nameplate is on the head of your Ic, black oval, red dot? I ask because I vaguely remember this part was changed along the way. We better continue about this here because I hardly visit that forum

 

[apbphoto]

apbphoto, I saw your post in the Leica forum and wonder if you found the part for your Ic? If not, I may have it for you. As you thought it works with the automatic focus cam.

Which nameplate is on the head of your Ic, black oval, red dot? I ask because I vaguely remember this part was changed along the way. We better continue about this here because I hardly visit that forum

Hello Hilo,
The Ic in question has an Ilford Multigrade head and I never had the original top so no oval there but I guess it is a red label vintage. I did manage to source the cam follower part from someone selling bits of a Ic on eBay. I offered to separate the bit I needed from a parallelogram arm and he accepted the offer. All good now with perfect autofocus at all magnifications with the half dozen 50mm lenses I have tried. Just as well as plan B had been to use drone roller bearings. I got two with the right diameter but with a central hole too big for the available shaft.
If you have more focomat bits let me know: I am looking for an easel clamp lever and there was something else but I cannot remember what. I'm in two minds about the Multigrade head but will have to use it a while and compare results with my beloved Valloy II to see if I would want to get the original style lamp head.
One day if the right IIc comes along at the right price I'd love that though it would mean rebuilding the workshop I have my darkroom in as the ceiling is too low...

 

[Hilo]

Glad to hear you got that cam roller. Well done! To be honest, in 35 or more years of having Focomats, I never really noticed this Ic part. I guess this is because the IIc's two cams situation requires attention (maintenance of the sliding lens stage, the cable that can get problems), whereas the Ic's automatic focus is something you just don't touch. It is always okay.
I don't have an easel clamp lever, but may come across one: what is the size of your baseboard? There are the smaller and the larger Ic baseboards and their levers are different. The Ic and the Valoy II give you similar prints, but the Valoy II's exposure time is much shorter. This is mostly because the lamp is much closer to the negative. I have no experience with that Ilford head. Of course, the Ic can do larger prints than the Valoy II, the large version Ic in particular. Their main difference is yes/no automatic focus. I have a modified Valoy II that does 50x60cm (20x24) prints.

 

[apbphoto]

I have the standard sized baseboard (52x40cm) and the owner as seems usual removed the lever that sticks out the side. The rest of the hardware seems to be there. It came with a Leitz easel which is such a nice object I would like to put it to use. Without the clamp it is a bit slippery on the wooden baseboard and I really don't want to modify it to be anti-slip which would be simple but might affect the autofocus and likely the aesthetics...

I'm intrigued by your modified Valloy II. I reversed the mount on the baseboard of mine which allowed a tad more enlargement potential but the image projected is very close to the hardware. I imagine you had to rig an offset platform to raise the original column and give a clear path to the next level. Or did you put a spacer between the head and the clamp? Or both? I reckon if I could have figured this out I might never have looked for another enlarger. It's a terrific machine and the last I would part with.

 

[Wyck]

Hi, can anyone recommend a competent repair place for Focotar lenses in U.K.? Leica no longer service them. They just need an internal clean no fungus or serious issues but I feel the contrast is affected.

I realise this is an old thread but wanted to ask... Did you find someone locally to service your lenses? I see you are Oxford way, I live locally too so I can always pop up and see Paul at the Secondhand Darkroom to ask him for a recommendation. I also have a Focomat IIC with a Elmar 100 and a Focotar 60.

I would be also interested to hear if anyone has swapped their Focomat lenses out for the Kienzle-Schneider Componon lenses.

I'm not sure if it makes any difference but I use the Heiland LED head with their split grade controller.

Thanks for your help.

 

[apbphoto]

Hi Wyck. Briefly- yes I found Cameratiks in Edinburgh do a great job on lenses. I have two IIcs now. One very late with Multigrade head and one from 1970s. The latter came with a V Elmar and I managed to change both lenses myself to Schneider Componons. And to get them to autofocus! Quite a convoluted process but doable, especially the 100. Then I found a second Focotar 2 100mm which is lovely but the Componons are excellent and better than the older Leitz optics in many ways. If you’re wavering you should definitely get the original lenses cleaned and serviced before exploring the options. Btw My newer IIc has a much better 60mm than either the Componon 60 or older Focotar though the design is supposedly unchanged. I don’t think the Kienzle approach is necessary or desirable given the cost especially post Brexit. They are also a very difficult company to deal with. Would be keen to meet and show you my setup and discuss if you’re interested. I have learned a great deal about Focomats in the last couple of years and now have 8 of them, not to mention Valoys and other enlargers. I have a good excuse for all this - honestly!

 

[Wyck]

Hi Wyck. Briefly- yes I found Cameratiks in Edinburgh do a great job on lenses. I have two IIcs now. One very late with Multigrade head and one from 1970s. The latter came with a V Elmar and I managed to change both lenses myself to Schneider Componons. And to get them to autofocus! Quite a convoluted process but doable, especially the 100. Then I found a second Focotar 2 100mm which is lovely but the Componons are excellent and better than the older Leitz optics in many ways. If you’re wavering you should definitely get the original lenses cleaned and serviced before exploring the options. Btw My newer IIc has a much better 60mm than either the Componon 60 or older Focotar though the design is supposedly unchanged. I don’t think the Kienzle approach is necessary or desirable given the cost especially post Brexit. They are also a very difficult company to deal with. Would be keen to meet and show you my setup and discuss if you’re interested. I have learned a great deal about Focomats in the last couple of years and now have 8 of them, not to mention Valoys and other enlargers. I have a good excuse for all this - honestly!

Hi, Thank you for your reply. I will take a look at Cameratiks and give them a call. I bought a Bowden cable from Kienzle and that was hard work so I guess the lenses purchase and as you say post Brexit would be too much trouble and very expensive.

Definitely keen to meet up. Are you able to send me a dm and I'll reply. I can't send a DM as I haven't made enough posts!

I look forward to hearing your excuse for having 8 Focomats...

 

[Lachlan Young]

I found Cameratiks in Edinburgh do a great job on lenses

Seconded. Which reminds me that I have a 300mm Rodagon I need to take over there & get cleaned.

 

[BMbikerider]

Hi, can anyone recommend a competent repair place for Focotar lenses in U.K.? Leica no longer service them. They just need an internal clean no fungus or serious issues but I feel the contrast is affected.

You could do a lot worse than contacting my preferred repairer who works in the area of Milton Keynes he trades under the name of Camera Repair Workshop, 9 Warside, Bletchley. Give him a call (ask for Dave) and arrange for him to do the work. I had him service my Rodenstock APO Rodagon a few years ago after I dropped it into a bucket of water. (Don't ask!) He charged something like £50 and the work was done in about a week. It was returned as perfect.

 

[Wyck]

Thank you for everyones suggestions. I will miss the lenses when they go for a CLA as I'm trying to finish printing a project.

I have been loaned a 50MM Focotar 2 with a small extension tube but of course it won't focus. Has anyone successfully been able to use a 50mm Focotar 2 with a Focomat IIc? Or am I wasting my time.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Wyck]

I forgot to ask does anyone know where I would find the serial number of my Elmar 100 and a Focotar 60? I can't see it anywhere on the lenses.