peak Enlarging Focuser Model 2000

[Stephen Frizza]

A few weeks ago I ordered a PEAK Enlarging Focuser Model 2000.
They were designed by prof Z Koana. I used one of these a yr ago hoever the one I had broke much to my dismay! well now I have a new one and its Amazing,
Im my opinion the best designed Enlarging focuser ive found. Anyhow I just wanted to use this moment to gloat LOL.

But on a serious note Ide love to know if anyone else has the model 2000 and how useful they find the BG filter for focusing when printing black and white work?

~Steve
The Lighthouse Lab

 

[Michael W]

Is that the one that only shows the blue wavelength for more precise focusing?
I'd be interested to hear more about that concept.
How much do they cost?

 

[Mick Fagan]

Steve, I used these gems in an industrial lab years ago and currently I have one with the BG filter.

If you look up threads I have started you will get an interesting one regarding this BG filter.

I'm awaiting the use of an APO enlarging lens to check out a theory I have.

In short I use a DeVere 504 freestanding with a colour head and a range of three Componon S lenses.

I find that there is a difference with the BG filter being used, but only on the DeVere enlargers, which have about the most precise focusing arrangements of any enlargers I have had the pleasure of using.

There are two people using my enlarger, both of us agree that there is a difference when the BG filter is used for extreme sharpness.

It could be possible that an APO enlarging lens may make the BG filter obsolete, this is something I will eventually find out.

If there is anyone in Melbourne with an APO enlarging lens that would like to participate in an enlarging session in my darkroom, to get some real world testing, then please contact me.

I picked mine up at one of the Melbourne Photographic flea markets for $150.00 figured it was a steal.

Mick.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

I bought mine for 540 bucks brand new, I have seen them much much cheaper on Ebay.but for this item i really wanted to buy this new. and yea it was the model with the blue filter for more accurate focusing when printing black and white.

~steve

 

[Mick Fagan]

Yes, that would be about the correct price. I remember about 17 years ago we purchased three new enlargers, DeVere free standing 504 models with colour heads and a set of three lenses for each, plus a Peak focusing aid.

The cost for each darkroom was just under $20,000 + (if applicable) 32% sales tax.

That was serious money.

Mick.

 

[ic-racer]

But on a serious note Ide love to know if anyone else has the model 2000 and how useful they find the BG filter for focusing when printing black and white work?

~Steve
The Lighthouse Lab

There are a few threads on this topic:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I have the Peak and the filter. I will refrain from entering into the debate. I enlarge everything from Minox to 4x5 and I keep the filter in the drawer in case I find some combination of enlarger lens/film format/magnification in which it may make a difference (so far I have not found it to do anything).

Just to add to the confusion, realize that the human eye has terrible chromatic aberration (see this interesting thread on focusing blue and red light onto the RETINA, not the enlarging paper)(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

So, my theory is that it has more effect on how one focuses the 'focusing reticle' onto one's own retina, rather than any focus shift due to paper sensitivity to invisible wavelengths...oops I wasn't going to enter into the debate...

I have a book (I think by Barry Thorton) where an experiment is done to test the effectiveness of the blue filter (he found little or no difference).