Leitz V35 too dark ?

[henk@apug]

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 !

 

[choiliefan]

Is it set up for the correct voltage?
Only thing I can think of.

 

[henk@apug]

Is it set up for the correct voltage?
Only thing I can think of.

Yep, measured everything

 

[koraks]

It is 3 stops (!) darker then my Durst M305

How did you determine this?

original Philips 13139

What power rating ('wattage')? And what's in your Durst?

 

[henk@apug]

How did you determine this?

What power rating ('wattage')? And what's in your Durst?

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

 

[blee1996]

Condenser vs Diffuser? But I don't know if it will make 3-stops of brightness differences.

 

[skahde]

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.

 

[Ron789]

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

 

[ic-racer]

Welcome to the 'disadvantages' portion of diffuse light printing...

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

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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

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.

 

[MARTIE]

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?

 

[henk@apug]

Thanks for the replies !

 

[BMbikerider]

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.

 

[koraks]

Are Philips bulbs made in Holland?

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.