Leitz Valoy II - Am I kidding myself

[mgb74]

I recently acquired a Leitz Valoy II in pretty good shape. With 50mm f4.5 Focotar; but no bulb.

Thinking of setting this up as a dedicated 35mm enlarger. A few threads here on fashioning a holder for VC filters. And using a PH211 bulb (not original, but apparently a viable alternative). Right now, I'm using a Beseler 23c III Dichro. But that will be replaced with an Omega D5500 when I fix it's color head.

So, am I likely to get the results from the Valoy II (from a quality standpoint) to justify it's use?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Only you can tell. I love my Leitz enlarger, and while it isn't going to make a huge technical difference compared to other enlargers, it will be so much nicer for me to work with so I enjoy the process more, and better results may actually come out of that enjoyment.

 

[summicron1]

the bulbs are easy -- Freestyle has them and in a pinch you can lightly sand the markings off the top end of a normal incandescent bulb and use that -- the only difference is that the markings on an enlarger bulb are on the side so they don't print onto the print.

Valoy II is an excellent tool -- solidly built, will last forever. Only thing better is a Focomat Ic. If you don't get good prints from it, you need to ponder your skills, because the enlarger is already as good as you will find anywhere.

As to filters -- I use frameless durst filters that I put on top of the condenser in my Focomat, I think you can do the same with the Veloy. Another option is one of those old kodak filter sets that had a frame you attached to the lens to hold the filters. Either option works well.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I haven't used a Valoy, but I do have an early 1c. I also have a Saunders VCCE 4x5 enlarger. Having a dedicated 35mm enlarger is worth it in my opinion. Once you get it set up, I think you'll agree.

 

[chip j]

Old Leitz 35mm enlargers, because the have a SINGLE condenser, give a longer tonal scale than other rigs.

 

[Hilo]

I would say you have chance the results will surprise you in a very positive way. I use all recent (haha) Leitz enlargers and the Valoy II is right up there in terms of being able to do beautiful prints. Most of this quality is because of the light system with the condenser. The Valoy II is one of the few Leitz enlargers that will take any brand lens without a problem.

I would keep it very simple, just use it with its original lamp head and condenser. It won't go much higher than 12X16 when using an easel. If you want larger prints there are a couple of options to do so. If yours has the frosted anti newton condenser (later grey and light grey versions) that presses down the negative you are all set to go. If yours has the clear condenser (black version) you need to fabricate something so your negative won't touch the condenser. Quite easy to do.

Putting the multigrade filter inside the head on the condenser works. Still, I would modify the redfilter to use a filter holder under the lens. Leitz USA made one for the 1c, but they're hard to find. I have modified the black metal Beseler or Omega holders for this purpose, it is easy to do. You take apart the red filter and use its bracket . . .

To give the condenser a good clean: tilt the head backwards, push up the condenser and turn it either way to let the bayonet drop it down. Take out the negative holder before you do this, the pins can hurt the glass . . .

If yours has an older Focotar (the oldest are 5cm, the younger 50mm, the most recent are 50mm with Focotar or Focotar-2 engraved on the side of the barrel, instead of on the front ring) stop it down twice always. If you do that, they are wonderful lenses.

 

[mgb74]

Well, I did set it up late last night. I have a small darkroom; there is only one small spot for it and it just fits. I had a 75w PH140 bulb; I'll try using that. The Focotar I have is the 5cm version (DOOCQ) but I have an alternative I can use.

I'll try some graded paper I have first, but will eventually have to fashion a filter holder as suggested. I never use a red filter anyway.

Because it sits under a cabinet that restricts the height of the head, I can't quite get an 11x14 from 35mm full frame. But that's OK; I like printing 8x10s with a 1" border (leaving a 6x8 image area). Unfortunately, my 4 blade easel won't fit where I have the Valoy. I don't think 8x10 4 blade easels are available and I don't think common 2 blade easels will allow a 1" border. I suppose I could cut a mask.

 

[Hilo]

Try printing without an easel. The Leitz negative holder gives you an interesting black border. Quite thin and not very precise, which is not bad. For your smaller format the 75watt bulb should be fine. And do try out this Focotar, next to a perhaps more modern lens.

 

[Michael Guzzi]

FWIW, I have a Valoy II that currently has a G25 bulb on it. Against all odds, it gives the least fall-off of all the bulb types I've tested(admittedly I've not tested the correct "short neck" bulb), about 1/4 stop when the lens fall-off is taken into consideration.

The single condenser does seem to give a longer tonal scale when compared to my Durst M600, which has two condensers. Here is a page by Durst that may be the explanation behind this fact. Look at the second lens illustration, under the SA correction part:

http://www.durst-pro-usa.com/world_images/theofcon.htm
The "nearly parallel rays" part may be the cause.

 

[Malcolm Stewart]

Michael,
Many thanks for posting the link to the article by Durst. (It needs some thought, so I'll take a copy, and read at my leisure.)

My first enlarger was a single condenser 35mm; next was a Vivitar 365 with its sophisticated illumination system, and slight density to the clear plastic of one of the condensers to further even out the illumination. Since those days, I've acquired a Valoy, and most recently two Leitz V35s. One fitted with colour module, the other with Variocontrast module. (On purchase, neither V35 was remotely close to being in focus...) I'm currently getting my darkroom back in to use, when I hope to get my hand in again at making wet B&W prints.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

'FWIW, I have a Valoy II that currently has a G25 bulb on it.'

Michael, I am interested in knowing more about the G25 bulb your are using in your Valoy. Is that the LED bulb or a regular bulb?...Also, what wattage is it? I thought I might do some experimenting. The round shape of the G25 looks interesting. Thank you! Robbie

 

[mgb74]

I'm curious about the g25 bulb as well. They're quite common here.

I tried printing yesterday with the enlarger. I had trouble getting the tonality I expected with a familiar negative. But will try again.

 

[Michael Guzzi]

The bulb I use is an incandescent one of 100W. It is opal-ish, but thinner than the opal finish on proper enlarger bulbs. Paid $1.75 for it. Can't remember the brand though, and I had to test a couple brands to find one which didn't show the filament through the coating. I think this was the one:

https://www.satco.com/a3643.html