Got me a new enlarger. Agfa Varioscop 60

cerber0s

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With all the issues with newton rings etc. that I had with my old enlarger, and considering how difficult it was finding parts for it, I decided I needed a new one. I got a really nice Agfa Variosop 60 today, it came with a 105mm lens, as well as negative carriers for both 6x9 and 135 film, the one for 135 film is brand new. Quality wise, this is a whole other level than my old Krokus.

I have it mostly figured out, but if someone can point me in the direction of a manual I’d be very happy. I have searched the forum for older posts, but the links I found were dead.

With the 105mm lens I’m limited in how large prints I can make with 135 film, som I’ll be looking for the 60mm lens as well.

I had just found a set of Ilford grade filters for my old enlarger, but they don’t fit in the new one. Also, the lamp is really close to the filter holder, should I be worried about melting the filter if I get a larger set?

Here’s the enlarger.

 
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cerber0s

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I don’t suppose these filters are appropriate for holding under the lens?

 

Huub

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These filters are for the Multigrade 2 paper and at least 40 years old. The modern filters include a grey filter, which makes that the exposure times for middle grey stays the same when changing grades between the grades 00 and 3.5, and double when changing to the harder grades. The filters you have should come with a calculator disk to achieve the same goal: you have to adjust exposure time when changing grades and the disk will tell help you calculating how much. A second thing is that the filters might have faded over time. I would do myself a favour and get a new modern filterset for under the lens.

BTW - that is a very nice enlarger.
 

Don_ih

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cerber0s said:
the lamp is really close to the filter holder,
Click to expand...

The bulb may (or may not) be able to be raised - and quite possibly should be, for more even light distribution. But you'd probably need a manual to be sure....
 

koraks

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Don_ih said:
The bulb may (or may not) be able to be raised - and quite possibly should be, for more even light distribution. But you'd probably need a manual to be sure....
Click to expand...

I'd expect that, yes. Trial and error in a darkened room with no negative and the lens wide open generally shows the effect of moving the bulb quite well.

cerber0s said:
I’ll be looking for the 60mm lens as well.
Click to expand...

Or more commonly found, a 50mm?
How about condensors in these enlargers; was there a dedicated condensor for shorter lenses (50-60mm focal length)?
 

Lachlan Young

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koraks said:
Or more commonly found, a 50mm?
How about condensors in these enlargers; was there a dedicated condensor for shorter lenses (50-60mm focal length)?
Click to expand...

It's an autofocus enlarger in the manner of a Leitz Focomat IIa/ IIc - with cams for Color-Magnolar 60 & 105 f4.5 lenses. Kienzle have a listing of parts/ upgrades including fitting newer Rodenstock/ Schneider lenses to the lens mounts/ helicoids - and all the other usual things like carrier inserts, glass etc - even up to and including new dichroic heads of various configurations.
 

Hilo

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Kienzle in Germany includes the Varioscope in their parts line. Next to the Leitz enlargers, some Durst enlargers and their own enlargers. They will probably still have parts for the negative carriers and some glassless holders as well.

It is long ago I bought from them and I remember having to be patient.

About the opal bulb being close to the filter holder: from the picture of the head, I assume the bulb still sits inside the top half? That would mean about 5cm between the lamp and the filters. Which is similar to the Leitz IIc and it works fine. Also: try loosening the four screws at the top of the head (just a little bit) and you may be able to pull the head up. If that's the case you wil be able to adjust fall off to a minimum.
 

Hilo

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On Kleinanzeigen.de there are several Varioscope enlargers for sale and at least one of them comes with a German manual.
 

koraks

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Lachlan Young said:
It's an autofocus enlarger in the manner of a Leitz Focomat IIa/ IIc - with cams for Color-Magnolar 60 & 105 f4.5 lenses.
Click to expand...

Ah thanks, I see. Just putting a 50mm onto it would make the autofocus dysfunctional, but the enlarger would still work in the classic way without AF functionality, correct?
 

Lachlan Young

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koraks said:
Ah thanks, I see. Just putting a 50mm onto it would make the autofocus dysfunctional, but the enlarger would still work in the classic way without AF functionality, correct?
Click to expand...

You'd need the lens board, helicoid etc for the 60 - lens changing on the Varioscop is not partially/ fully automated on a turret/ slider as on the Focomat IIa/ IIc - it's a fairly significant chunk of metal attached to the lens. No reason you couldn't make something suitable (and if determined enough, cut a focus cam) to handle other focal lengths. The Varioscop is a good, solid machine - but you can see also where the Focomat IIc justified its cost - they were both aimed at effectively the same market, with various productivity enhancing automation accessories (e.g. Variomat).
 
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cerber0s

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Thank you! There is a calculator included, but I didn’t use it. I developed test strips instead, one for each grade I used. Shouldn’t that do the trick i stead?
 

Huub

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cerber0s said:
Thank you! There is a calculator included, but I didn’t use it. I developed test strips instead, one for each grade I used. Shouldn’t that do the trick i stead?
Click to expand...
That would work as well, but is quite time consuming. You could make notes and check if the calculator leads to the same results. Especially when the changes in contrast are small that would probably work faster.
 

ic-racer

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Looks clean and well built. If it really does 6x9cm that is a fantastic enlarger!

Non of my medium format enlargers go that big, so I use 4x5" enlarger for my 6x9 negatives.

If you have not done 6x9, realize it is like 'super 35mm' as it has roughly the same aspect ratio. Inexpensive cameras like Kodak Tourist can be loaded with 120 film and will yield a 6x9cm negative.
 
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cerber0s

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It’s a joy to use compared to my old one! It does indeed do 6x9, and came with carriers for both 6x9 and 135 film. I’m about to go buy the 60mm lens off ebay to use with the small negatives.
 
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