New light for Focomat IIc

[Qarqonoshe]

I'm using Focomat 2c for my 120 work and I'm considering to buy new light source (Heiland LED). LED head is more convenient and user friendly (no need to use classic filters, splitgrade ready, cold, long lasting and pricey). But I’m afraid that I will kill my 2c which is legendary condenser enlarger and become ordinary diffusion light enlarger with fancy head .

So I need some advice. I’m already know all pros and cons in condenser vs diffusion discussion.

Regards

Q

 

[John Koehrer]

You may have to develop your film for a bit more contrast.
There're a number of articles by respected printers online. They all say that once this is done,
there's no visual difference in prints.

 

[Hilo]

The 2c is such a wonderful enlarger and it is mostly because of every part involved with the path the light travels. Obviously its light head and condenser have everything to do with this. To replace this has never made sense to me. But then I have never felt the necessity to "improve" on what is already totally perfect. If you want more "user friendly" consider going digital. It is in Analog's DNA to be a challenge, to be non precise, to always be different from before.

 

[georg16nik]

I would keep it stock.
Retrofiting Focomat 2c or any decent condensor enlarger into diffuser is like giving up on most of the darkroom magic.
Get a separate enlarger if you want to dab with diffuse light...

 

[Frank53]

Do it!
You mention all the advantages, the disadvantages are only based on emotion.
Who cares what an enlarger looks like in the darkroom?
You can keep the upper half of the head somewhere safe and put it back whenever you want.
Regards,
Frank

 

[Frank53]

It does not even have to look differen. Have you seen this on the Heiland website:
“Gegen Aufpreis ist eine Version lieferbar, welche unter der Original Haube des Leitz IIc verschwindet.”
Regards,
Frank

 

[Saganich]

I did try just placing a V54 cold light head with a large diffuser over the condenser and just using the same IC head. The V54 wiring had to come out the side of the housing where the head sits in the condenser housing causing large light leaks. Blocking the leaking light with a black cloth skirt rig around the head was doable but a PITA. The printing was as expected from cold light diffusion.

This led me to purchase an additional head for my 1C for 20 bucks with the intention of fitted the V54 so that all the wires would be coming out the top where the sliding socket pole would be. The head can be dismantled and repurposed with ease but alas I never followed through.

 

[Svenedin]

Are you unhappy with your existing prints? What is the reason for wanting the Heiland light source? These are extremely expensive!

 

[~andi]

If the OP is still around: did you get the Heiland coldlight for the IIc? If so, how is it working out for you?

As far as I understand, the Heiland LED coldlight is a replacement for the bulb+reflector combination (which forms a not-quite diffuse source of light) on the Ic and Valoy II with the condenser remaining in place. My understanding is that you get and effect similar to a perfectly even opal bulb. Is this true for the IIc version of the Heiland coldlight? Or is the condenser replaced by the LED box - which indeed would convert it to pure diffusion enlarger.

And if the condenser stays in place, do you need to develop your film differently still? Any changes in micro-contrast .. to the better or worse? Do you get all the grades from 00 to 5?

Thanks!