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Leitz V35 too dark ?

henk@apug

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Jul 7, 2008
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Location
Belgium
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Hello,

Back after a long time
I recently bought a Leica V35 enlarger, but I think I have a problem with it.
It is 3 stops (!) darker then my Durst M305. So I did some tests.
1) Changed the bulb with another one (both original Philips 13139) => no result
2) Changed lens => no result
3) bypassed the enlarger transformer with an external one => no result.
So, I do not know what is going on. The V35 is supposed to be a very bright enlarger, no ?
Everything is technically ok, so the only thing I can think of is the diffuser box, but that seems ok too.
Any ideas ?
Thanks !
 
Is it set up for the correct voltage?
Only thing I can think of.
 
koraks said:
How did you determine this?

What power rating ('wattage')? And what's in your Durst?
Click to expand...

I put the same negative in both enlargers with the same magnification. The I retracted the negative. Used the same aperture on both lenses. I disengaged the the variocontrast module on the V35, so both with white light. The I just measured with a light meter on a blank sheet of paper on the baseboards. 3 stops difference. Also with the naked eye I can see a much brighter projection on the baseboard with the Durst. The printed the negative on both enlargers for a second check. The V35 indeed needed 3 more stops of exposure. I have read other threads that some people have the same problem with long exposure times with a V35, but most answers related to wrong bulbs, which is not my case. A bit of a shame really, so as long as I cannot trace the problem I will only use the enlarger as a pre flasher... Both enlargers have a 75w bulb
 
Sounds exactly like the problem described when the wrong bulb is installed. I would double-check in this area regardless of how I shure I am, everything is correct.
 
I had the same experience: the V35 needs much longer exposure times than e.g. a Focomat 1c. This was the main reason for me to switch back from the V35 to a 1c. Apart from this, the build quality of the 1c and the ease-of-use are much better in my opinion. The one big advantage of the V35 for me was the capability to enlarge up to 20x24" (50x60cm) with autofocus. But with the extremely long exposure times that such enlargements required (minutes, and for Lith prints practically not doable) I decided to go back to the Focomat 1c
 
Welcome to the 'disadvantages' portion of diffuse light printing...

ie comparing the light output of a diffusion enlarger to condenser.
 

No idea really,sorry but it'sworth investigating because the V35 is a fantastic enlarger.I use it with aÓeiland Split/Grade module and it works perfectly for me. good luck.
 
I think there are a number of valid points above.

So for clarity, does your durst m305 have the colour/diffuser head or b+w/condenser head?

Does your v35 have the appropriate WA Focotar 40mm f2.8 lens?
 
The original Phillips 13139 bulb has not been available for many years although there were available in Holland later. Are Philips bulbs made in Holland? There are ones that can fit and work but are not as bright as the original Philips despite being the same wattage output. Some put it down to the actual bulb filament is not in the right zone to to be the most efficient. To be honest I don't know the correct reason

I wonder if there could be an LED bulb that could be made to fit with a higher output, but as they run cooler that would not be a problem.
 
BMbikerider said:
Are Philips bulbs made in Holland?
Click to expand...
Not anymore for a long time. Firstly, those factories all shut down between 1970-2007. Secondly, Philips doesn't manufacture bulbs to begin with since they divested the business in 2018 at which point it had already been operating for quite some time as a relatively independent part of Philips. The brand name still exists, but the company is called Signify. The history of the Philips corporation is pretty long and complex.
 
Is the enlarger lamp to correct type?
 
Sirius Glass said:
Is the enlarger lamp to correct type?
Click to expand...

That is precisely what I have been trying to get at. There was a modification made by a very small company which removed a projection in the glass molding on the reflector which allowed the fitting of other bulbs to work. However the point of light was generated in a slightly different plane to the original bulb specified by Leica when they first brought it out. Whether the bulb was too far inside or outside the optimum zone or the reflector had different shape in relation to the position of the filament reflector I don't know, but that was sufficient to make a significant difference to the light output onto the baseboard.

It was a shame that Leitz pulled out of the enlarger market because it was a superb piece of equipment for printing colour. Also the earlier on it was a post mentioning going back to using a Leitz 1c enlarger to get a brighter image on the baseboard. They are totally different animals! The V35 was a diffusion enlarger while the 1c had a condenser(s) which I have found were usually brighter anyway.

Update
I have just done a google search on "Converting enlarger bulbs to fit a Leitz V35" and possibly because it is a few years since I last looked up the information I had forgotten a lot of detail and it is far more complex than I remembered such as there was an early genuine bulb also with the Phillips name which was replaced by the 13139 version so that may be a reason for the reduced light output.
 
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You would be happier with the Phillips original bulb.
 
Now I realize why V35s are offered next to nothing around here when the later Dursts with color-heads are still commanding prices worth thinking about.
 
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