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PELCO 35 Enlarger

Yashica FX3

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Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
17
Location
Cardiff. Wales. UK
Format
35mm
Hi. I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I have obtained a vintage PELCO 35 enlarger but cannot find any user manual online.
Does anyone have any knowledge of this enlarger or any links to a manual please?
Thanks.
 
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I found an image of Pelco from an auction site, it was sold but did come with instructions, if it is the same model, looks to be a model that took MF. Do you know if it was made in the U.K? The model shown here is rather odd, I've never seen a model like it. Seems that there is the larger column is used the raise the enlarger up and down to control size. I don't see a bellows, so the smaller column might be use to control focus. On the enlarger itself, does the metal tube rotate for helix focusing? I have an old American enlarger from Federal with helix focuing system.
 
Paul, the photo of the first model I already linked to though in lesser resolution, the second model is the Pelcomat I referred to above, from this autofocus version a photo exists too.

That second shorter collumn makes no sense for scaling at all. It likely is used to make the primary collum telescopic to make the enlarger stowable in a smaller casing (enlarger in a suitcase).
Interesting and unique is the way to achieve horizontal projection:by using a crossed connector to the collumn which has to be replugged. A hassle compared to the standard swivelling of the head.
 
I see what you mean, the smaller secondary column allows for more height without having to plug 2 columns together. Cleaver idea.
 
So, here is what I know....it is a Pelco 35. British made by the Photographic Engineering Laboratories Company (hence PELCo).
The one I have seems to have been adapted to only have the one column.
Beyond that, I know nothing. I will try to attach some photos...
 
There is not much to know.

Clean that thing, especially the lens, look whether lens stage, that knuckled focusing ring, and the film film stage are parallel to each other. If so, open the head by taking off its upper cap and look whether there is a big plano-convex lens mounted far below. It serves to spread evenly the light. Clean that too. Then look for the bulb. It should be a special enlarger bulb. It is opalized (not just matted) with the type designation somewhere at the side, not at its top. It should be rated 240V/75W. If the rated voltage is slightly lower, it will not live long, but new spares are easily to obtain.

If this is OK, you have to check for even illumination. Set the enlarger and th lens so that the film stage opening projects an image onto the baseboard of the size you most likely will enlarge to. Then losen the scree at the tube were the mains cable enters the head and rise and sink and twist the tube and by this the lamp until a most even illumination is achieved.

For enlarging you should stop down the lens 1 or 2 stops.

This is all, and most likely more than the manual offered.
 
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Looks like a perfectly nice enlarger. It seems to have a lot in common with the Leitz Valloy.

What do the latch thingies on each side of the lamp housing do?
It looks like the upper surface of the negative carrier is the glass surface of the lower condenser - is this the case?
Is there any information on the lens? This is probably the first thing to get upgraded.

I would take the enlarger apart bit by bit for a thorough cleaning before use. Make sure to get rid of any haze on the condensers and the lens.
 
Seemingly the head can be lifted vertically, and with it the tube above the film stage, which presses the film onto its carrier. The two latches seemingly are to arrest this.
 
Wonder if the lens is a common size so you can upgrade with a more modern 50mm. All in all seems to be very workable.
 

AgX, I will take it apart and clean it thoroughly. I will check for the plano convex lens.
Really helpful advice. Thank you.
 
Paul Howell said:
Wonder if the lens is a common size so you can upgrade with a more modern 50mm.
Click to expand...

This is a european enlarger and it takes european lamps. And these were and still are 60mm in bulb diameter in 75W and 65mm in 150W.
 

Yes, the lens needs a clean but just a little dusty. Not sure what the latch thingies are for yet....I will dismantle it at the weekend.
The lens presumably is manual. I will upload images shortly.
 
This lens looks quite matted.
It s of the most basic design found at modern enlargers. A typical beginner model.
In case cleaning of the lens does not yield effect, you might even have to disassmble it, you should be able to find for little money a clean lens of advanced design (As Rodagon, Componon etc.)

Concerning the lamp, as the photo in my link above is not good, this is what I mean by opalized, the clear glass is covered by a thin milky glass layer:
 
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Would I need a filter to compensate for the fact that it would create a more red light or would it make no difference?
 
 

I think (hope) it will clean up. Apparently it has not been used for 15 years so there is a layer of dust on it too.
 
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