Leitz Valoy stand for Focomat 1c?

Beagleagle · Jul 8, 2019

Hey all! I have received a tip but just wanted to verify somewhere else before I buy an item on eBay.

I have a Focomat 1c Color that does not have a stand or a negative carrier. I have been told that the stand for a Valoy is compatible with the Focomat 1c Color, as well as the negative carrier between the two are then same.

Can anyone confirm this before I buy the Valoy?

Do the Valoy and the Valoy II use the same stand as well (just curious)?

Anyone with a Focomat 1c Color have any advice on replacing the height indicator light? This is missing as well, though much less important than the stand and carrier!

Thanks if anyone sees this and has any information for me. The stands look the same in all the image searches I’ve done. The negative carrier is tougher to discern.

-William

choiliefan · Jul 8, 2019

I believe the Valoy column is a smaller diameter than the 1C.
The film holder is the same.
The 1C column has the female electrical plug inside the top of the column.
Do you have a sliding filter drawer in your enlarger head?

Beagleagle · Jul 8, 2019

Dang okay, I may still get it and wrap tape or something around the column to get it to fit..

I believe it does have the filter door, I haven’t pulled it out yet, but there is no tray or anything like that attached to it, it seems to be just a panel. Think I’m missing a piece?

Hilo · Jul 9, 2019

The Valoy II column is very different: it has a rail along which the "arm" moves up and down with a dedicated break-release system.

The earlier Valoy column may be the same diameter as the Focomat Ic column, which is 41mm (is that 1,6 in.?). I can ask someone to measure his Valoy column . . . Your grey Ic normally had a 1,20cm column. There are also shorter Ic columns, I believe 85cm . . .

The Ic in the picture has no filter tray. Just the cover plate that you can pull out. People who weren't going to print colour could buy this version without the optional filter tray. It is very difficult to find those trays, and it is not difficult to modify another brand filter holder for under the lens.

If your scale indicator misses the socket & cord for the bulb as well, I would not bother with that scale indicator.
You need a so-called signal bulb for that. https://www.ebay.de/itm/Neon-Gluhla...h=item56b6634f71:g:croAAOxyW7tRgsAR:rk:7:pf:0

There could be a anti newton glass attached to the bottom of the condenser. You can take that off, be careful with that glass as it is important !
Like the previous poster said, the negative holders are compatible.

choiliefan · Jul 9, 2019

Blowing up your picture shows the anti-newton glass attachment is present.
You also have a lens (Focotar?) and below that a filter tray.

Hilo · Jul 9, 2019

choiliefan, you win the most-awake price !

that filter tray, if I am not mistaken, is the rare black wrinkle paint filter holder Leitz USA made for the early round head Focomat Ic !!

Beagleagle, that filter holder means you do not need the filter tray in the head. This holder replaces the red filter, but with a different, longer shoulder screw. If that is present you're in total luck !!

The lens, if a Focotar, looks like either one of the two later versions . . . but difficult to see. Anyway, that would make sense as this grey Ic generally came with one of those.

Hilo · Jul 9, 2019

Beagleagle · Jul 9, 2019

Thank you everyone for your replies!! I have bought an old Valoy and hoping the stand fits. I am so pumped about this enlarger! Thank you Hilo for the info about the color filter tray, I only do black and white for now so this is perfect. It does have the below lens filter tray, it’s got the AN glass, and the fabled Focotar-2 50mm lens I won’t worry too much about the indicator, but will check out the link you posted.

Stoked to get this baby rewired, cleaned, and back into service!!

Thanks again all.

Focomatter · Jul 9, 2019

I have a Valoy II and a Focomat IIc with long column. The baseboard of the former is much smaller. You may want a larger one than came with your Valoy for stability.

Patrick Robert James · Jul 9, 2019

You are going to need someone to measure the height of the holes in the column in order to be able to place the head at the right height for the auto focus to work.

People sell Focomat parts all the time on Ebay. Kinda drives me nuts that good enlargers are parted out like that, but you may get lucky and get the right column.

Beagleagle · Jul 9, 2019

Dangggg.. I've already bought a used Valoy (nice looking column) that comes with my missing negative slide.. Hopefully it works for me!

So, just find someone with a Focomat they can measure for me, and have that as my standard position on the column? Thanks for the heads up!

And yeah I saw a Focomat column on there for over $120 dollars! I got the Valoy for about $60 ($60 S&H too, OUCH). It is a shame to see these things parted out..

It seems like a fine enlarger and I can't wait to fire it up!

Anyone know if there dedicated Leitz filters for the tray? I have a pack of the little Ilford Multigrade ones already.

Thanks again everyone for the information!

Hilo · Jul 10, 2019

You may have moved too quickly. According to a friend: "The Valoy column is 32 mm. The Focomat Ic is 40 mm as I measure it".

If you know someone in Hamburg, there's a 1,20m Ic column for sale at € 38 . . . it needs to be picked up, no shipping . . . Of course, then you still have the shipping Germany - US . . . I may be able to find you a shorter Ic column for free, but there would still be shipping from Europe. About 35 euros when under 5kg . . .

Back to your just acquired Valoy, it is no problem to give you the exact measures of the two holes. But you will first need to solve the difference between the two columns. Probably a metal machining company can make you something, but it may be better to be patient and find a Ic column. I certainly would. Taping the column won't work in my opinion. Maybe you can cut PVC sheet in pieces that go around the column and inside the end of the parallelogram. Perhaps others here have some ideas?

Leitz never made filters. They stopped being interested in their enlargers before multigrade came on the market. The lose flexible Ilford filters will work fine and I need to check if the mounted Ilford filters fit this Leitz filter holder. Probably yes. It has been a while since I used the holder.

Patrick, yes it is painful to see the Focomats parted out. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if prices were more reasonable.

Focomatter · Jul 10, 2019

The distance from the bottom of the focomat part that rests on the upper pin (for 1" easels) is about 33 cm above the baseboard. It is not possible to place a ruler close to the parts so this is an estimate.

Hilo · Jul 10, 2019

Focomatter, you are close:

I have a metal hook that I can hold against the column: upper hole 33.2 cm, lower hole 30.8 cm. Still not 100% precise because I measure the 'heart' of the hole visually. But I am sure this will do the trick.

A small remark about the automatic focus: I ALWAYS check the grain for sharpness when setting up a negative. Perhaps it would be different if I were to print smaller sizes. My work prints are 24x30cm, and normal prints are mostly 50x60. But I also print the two sizes smaller.

Beagleagle · Jul 10, 2019

Hilo, thanks again for another heads up. I get way too excited and impatient- hopefully I can make the Valoy stand work. I’ll make it work somehow... hopefully.

However, if you happen to find a Focomat 1c stand, I may be interested in purchasing. I certainly will be if the Valoy can’t be made to work! Feel free to PM me if it ever happens, thank you. I’m about to have a lot of enlargers, like I don’t already!

choiliefan · Jul 10, 2019

What area of NC are you located?
I'm in Johnston County and have a 1C I don't use.
It's an early black version in very nice shape but the column is rusty.
Send a message if interested.

Leitz Valoy stand for Focomat 1c?

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