Leitz Valloy II Lens options

Hello,

I don't know if anyone has covered this already, I couldn't find anything. What are the better lenses that can be used on the Valloy II. I have the old 50mm Focotar but appears to have some fungus on it amongst other issues. I know someone selling a Focotar 40mm 2.8, has anyone used this on the Valloy II?

Many thanks

50mm 3.5 Elmar.

Contrary to its larger brothers, the Focomats Ic and IIc, you can use pretty much any lens in the Valoy II. What is important is that you nearly always will have to use an extension ring. With the Focotar 50mm that is Leitz adapter DOORX or 16675. This ring drops the Focotars down to the correct position (this adapter is 1cm plus minus).

You can also use any 50mm lens, probably in combination with that adapter. My favourite is the Focotar-2 50mm.

I have also used different brand lenses from 40mm to 60mm on the Valoy II, from Schneider and Meopta mostly. In that case it has happened I needed a different extension ring, always smaller like 5mm. And I often use an Olympus 38mm enlarging lens for half frame negatives, again with a 5mm extension ring.

About the 40mm Focotar, this may be one of the few lenses that is not suited for this condenser enlarger. I haven't tried myself, but have read this lens was designed specifically for the Focomat V35, which uses a totally different light source.

Ben wright said:

Hello,

I don't know if anyone has covered this already, I couldn't find anything. What are the better lenses that can be used on the Valloy II. I have the old 50mm Focotar but appears to have some fungus on it amongst other issues. I know someone selling a Focotar 40mm 2.8, has anyone used this on the Valloy II?

Many thanks

Click to expand...

Hi Ben,
I have a Valoy II with a 50mm Minolta C.E. Rokkor-X attached. it is an outstanding lens. You do need the extension tube to use with this lens
on your enlarger. Other good lenses are the EL-Nikkor 50mm ƒ2.8, Schneider Componon 50mm ƒ2.8 or Rodenstock Rodagon 50mm ƒ2.8.

I have the Valloy II and it currently wears a Schneider S Series enlarging lens, and I like the images it makes, but whe buying that enlarger should include the thin bronze anti-Newton device that fits on the condenser, and it's supposed to be difficult to source.

Use the correct short bulb in this enlarger and having a Leica m39 extension tube is a good thing to have (IMO).

If I were to use an alternative lens, the 63mm Nikkor lens would be my choice for this 35mm enlarger.

I have a Leitz Valloy user manual (pamphlet) somewhere and if I find it anytime soon, I'll make a PDF to send you.

The baseboard that mine came with was no original and it had no easel, but I mounted it to a three centimeter thick granite board and the extra mass gives real service in preventing excess movement if on a good bench or table.

Be sure the wiring & switch are no rotted, as is the case on many of these old tools, according to others who have bought these wonderful enlargers.

Good Luck.

eli griggs said:

I have the Valloy II and it currently wears a Schneider S Series enlarging lens, and I like the images it makes, but whe buying that enlarger should include the thin bronze anti-Newton device that fits on the condenser, and it's supposed to be difficult to source.

Use the correct short bulb in this enlarger and having a Leica m39 extension tube is a good thing to have (IMO).

Click to expand...

About the bronze anti-Newton device: there exist three versions of the Valoy II: the black one and the blue-ish grey one, both with the typical wrinkle paint. And the light grey version with normal smooth paint. The later light grey version always came with an anti-Newton treated condenser that presses down the negative. Most of the 2nd blue-ish grey version also came with this AN condenser. The 1st black version has a clear condenser and, like Eli says, you need to prevent the glass touching the negative. It is easy to cut from thin carton or pvc sheet a rectangular piece the size of the negative holder and put the negative in between.

When someone has the 1st black version, it is possible it does have the AN condenser. They were inexpensive and a wonderful solution. To get the condenser out of the enlarger, you can simply hold it between thumb and finger, push it up and then turn it a bit. It's got a bayonet and will drop down. Put a towel on your baseboard, just in case you drop it.

Dr. Fisher's recent (for sure the last 3 years) enlarger bulbs are the correct size.
+

cliveh said:

50mm 3.5 Elmar.

Click to expand...

Thanks

Hilo said:

Contrary to its larger brothers, the Focomats Ic and IIc, you can use pretty much any lens in the Valoy II. What is important is that you nearly always will have to use an extension ring. With the Focotar 50mm that is Leitz adapter DOORX or 16675. This ring drops the Focotars down to the correct position (this adapter is 1cm plus minus).

You can also use any 50mm lens, probably in combination with that adapter. My favourite is the Focotar-2 50mm.

I have also used different brand lenses from 40mm to 60mm on the Valoy II, from Schneider and Meopta mostly. In that case it has happened I needed a different extension ring, always smaller like 5mm. And I often use an Olympus 38mm enlarging lens for half frame negatives, again with a 5mm extension ring.

About the 40mm Focotar, this may be one of the few lenses that is not suited for this condenser enlarger. I haven't tried myself, but have read this lens was designed specifically for the Focomat V35, which uses a totally different light source.

Click to expand...

Many thanks for your reply, very useful! I investigated last night and my one does indeed have an extension ring with the focotar (part 17675x - looks more like 15mm). Sounds like another 50mm might be the way to go so thanks for the suggestions.

I did some more research since my original post and seems like out of the Leitz lenses the Focotar-2 is considered the pinnacle but hard to come by. A few people have mentioned that the second Focotar 50mm 4.5 - with large front element (LFE) is better than the original that I have. Might try and source one of these as a first step.

Other message threads seem to concur that the 40mm won't work which is useful to know. Ive seen some of your other Valoy 2 threads on here - very useful! It really is a lovely unit to use. Can I ask what bulb you use? Mine has a 150w Philips PF605 - works fine but does have somewhat short exposure times at 5x7 and gets bit hot in my minuscule space.

Thanks

Ben

Zathras said:

Hi Ben,
I have a Valoy II with a 50mm Minolta C.E. Rokkor-X attached. it is an outstanding lens. You do need the extension tube to use with this lens
on your enlarger. Other good lenses are the EL-Nikkor 50mm ƒ2.8, Schneider Componon 50mm ƒ2.8 or Rodenstock Rodagon 50mm ƒ2.8.

Click to expand...

Hello, many thanks for your message and suggestions. Ive now found the extension tube so I think if I stick to another 50mm lens that sound work ok. Those suggestions sound good thanks!

eli griggs said:

I have the Valloy II and it currently wears a Schneider S Series enlarging lens, and I like the images it makes, but whe buying that enlarger should include the thin bronze anti-Newton device that fits on the condenser, and it's supposed to be difficult to source.

Use the correct short bulb in this enlarger and having a Leica m39 extension tube is a good thing to have (IMO).

If I were to use an alternative lens, the 63mm Nikkor lens would be my choice for this 35mm enlarger.

I have a Leitz Valloy user manual (pamphlet) somewhere and if I find it anytime soon, I'll make a PDF to send you.

The baseboard that mine came with was no original and it had no easel, but I mounted it to a three centimeter thick granite board and the extra mass gives real service in preventing excess movement if on a good bench or table.

Be sure the wiring & switch are no rotted, as is the case on many of these old tools, according to others who have bought these wonderful enlargers.

Good Luck.

Click to expand...

Thanks very much - more useful information! My Valoy has got the anti newton condenser which is one less thing to worry about. As I said ive got a 150w bulb at the moment and looks like a non short neck. Ive been fairly happy with the prints so far but maybe I'll try and source the correct bulb as my exposure times are typically very short for all but the densest negatives. Is there any particular brand for the bulbs?

If you have the manual that would be amazing! Im no expert but think my Valoy might be a later example (smoother grey coating and big red Leitz Wetzler logo on the front). Really like it though - much better than the De Vere I used at an open access darkroom.

Cheers

Ben

Hilo said:

About the bronze anti-Newton device: there exist three versions of the Valoy II: the black one and the blue-ish grey one, both with the typical wrinkle paint. And the light grey version with normal smooth paint. The later light grey version always came with an anti-Newton treated condenser that presses down the negative. Most of the 2nd blue-ish grey version also came with this AN condenser. The 1st black version has a clear condenser and, like Eli says, you need to prevent the glass touching the negative. It is easy to cut from thin carton or pvc sheet a rectangular piece the size of the negative holder and put the negative in between.

When someone has the 1st black version, it is possible it does have the AN condenser. They were inexpensive and a wonderful solution. To get the condenser out of the enlarger, you can simply hold it between thumb and finger, push it up and then turn it a bit. It's got a bayonet and will drop down. Put a towel on your baseboard, just in case you drop it.

Dr. Fisher's recent (for sure the last 3 years) enlarger bulbs are the correct size.
+

Click to expand...

Is this the sort of bulb required?


It doesn't mention it being a short neck bulb or should that be fine?

Some seem to recommend this bulb:

I used a Componon on my Leitz Ic for many years before a friend gave me a Focotar. Leitz adjusted enlarger to retain autofocusing. With Focotar, autofocusing readjusted.

Ben wright said:

Is this the sort of bulb required?

DR. FISCHER FISCHER Opal Bulb 75 Watt - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

For enlargers Made in Germany, 75 Watts. The perfect fit for the ADOX enlarger. Condensor enlargers (with E-27 socket) need a matt-white bulb. You can usually see how ...

www.fotoimpex.com

It doesn't mention it being a short neck bulb or should that be fine?

Click to expand...

The description 'short neck' bulb has never been used by the companies that make them. It is typical forum jargon. Now I am not at work, but I am guessing the average length of the shorter enlarger bulbs is 10.5cm and for the larger bulb that is around 11.5cm. I will check this later and come back about it in case I was wrong.

Anyway, that's the bulb I was refering to . . . .

Hilo said:

The description 'short neck' bulb has never been used by the companies that make them. It is typical forum jargon.

Click to expand...

Or, in this case, a literal observation.

Here is the "correct bulb" for the Valloy II, as I spent a week or so looking for which was needed, though it was so long ago, I can no recall the 'authority' on the matter.

A quick check tells me the bulb is l, from toe to apex, 3 1/4" long.

In this picture, you should be able to see the information needed, but, in part, its an PH 140, 75w, EKIO, 120V, at 2900°K.

Thanks very much for the additional information - really useful. That explains why the search for short neck bulbs is fruitless. Cheers for the picture Eli - I will pick one of these bulbs up and see how it goes. That bulb correlates with a shop here in the UK who said a while back to me that the PH1400 75w is what they suspected to be a 'short necked bulb' - its the same bulb made by Photolux.

Ben wright said:

That bulb correlates with a shop here in the UK who said a while back to me that the PH1400 75w is what they suspected to be a 'short necked bulb' - its the same bulb made by Photolux.

Click to expand...

Eli, Ben, let us know your results from actually printing with this bulb!! I believe 3 1/4" is 8,25cm, right? That's quite a bit smaller than the original bulbs. I am very curious about them. In particular about their yes/no even illumination.

The better way to judge the even illumination is to project without a negative on a white surface while switching off all the darkroom lights, and stop the lens down to its smallest aperture.

Hilo, my Valloy with this bulb prints quite well.

I had tried a larger long necked bulb years ago, when I first rewired it, but the lighting was poor, too much and just good for turning my Valloy into a benchtop 'monkey heater' on a winter's day.

I quickly researched what was needed and it was this bulb, which, if I recall rightly, was from "Bulbs Unlimited", which was well set up for enlarger and photographic data on bulbs needed for particular tasks.

I think I've one or two spares, bought at the same time as this one, which has been flawless, but I'd have to go exploring my currently untidy darkroom at some future point.

Cheers!

Eli, thank you, that's good to hear.

I checked to see if besides the 75w bulb they also make 150w for this size & shape bulb. Sofar I do not see this and it is what I need because of the large prints (16x20in. and 20x24in.)

Michael

The 75w PH1400 arrived - first picture is the light on a white baseboard @ f16. Second image is the Philips PF605 150w bulb ive been using on a white baseboard @ f16. I dont really know what to look for but both look fairly even to me. I won't be able to test the 75w bulb for a few weeks on an actual print.

Just realised first image (75w bulb) isn't in focus - oh dear. Better one attached

Remember, even in small prints, a lower power level gives you more time to (accurately) dodge, burn images.

High powered light levels strips you of that option.

Let us know your personal results, whatever you choose to use, please.

Clearly the 150w bulb gives the most even projection. The projection of the 75w brightens in the center, both out and in focus.

If I were you I would use a very even negative. Even in mid tones for sure. Best for a comparison would be when you'd find the old bulb of 75w.

Having said that, I truly dislike testing and I never do it. So, if I were you I would just use the new bulb and take off. Just stay critical of you results.

Ben et al, I fully support all Hilo has said. The Valoy II is a gem and can be used with a large range of lenses to good effect. I agree that the Focotar-2 50mm is the one to go for but you will need to be patient and persistent to find a good one at a good price. The previous Focotar 50mm f4.5 aka LFE (large front element) made by Schneider is also excellent but you can do well with any number of more easily sourced and cheaper options. I can recommend the old El Nikkor 50mm 2.8 (all metal) as a great match. For some reason the N versions of this lens don't quite convince: uneven sharpness with the two pristine examples I have tried. I now have - to my shame - about 60 enlarging lenses and reckon a good Schneider Componon-S is hard to beat. Clean ones are getting scarce and I am told they were, back in the day, more expensive than Apo Rodagons at the same focal length. I can attest that for 50mm, 100mm and 150mm that is justifiable. Still, the 45mm Apo Rodagon is a supremely capable lens on another level but there are even more exotic lenses that will beat that if you are obsessive. Won't work well on the Valoy II though. Strangely, the 45mm Apo Componon does. Now you must be thoroughly confused so I would say find a clean Componon-S 50mm. Or a Rodagon 50mm works too: if your prints aren't good enough with such lenses you need to look elsewhere for the reason. If you stray from the 50mm recommendations you may have a merry time finding the right extension tubes and all of them will need one (5mm-15mm depending on model). But it will all be worthwhile!

Componon-s and rodagons, around 2000 costed much about the same, apo were around the double for either brand.
Japanese brands were cheaper... Except 105 apo el nikkor...

Quality of the top lenses of their last vintage was more out less the same... Apo included...

I have been using a 80 Makro symmar in industrial mount... Not bad .... Huge falloff on 6x7...