Valoy II - neg holder and adjustment help

DowntownDan · Jul 31, 2023

Hi all,

Searched the archive and came up blank.

I’m using the later gray Valoy II, and having a time getting the negatives seated exactly in the open space. There is a small amount of border available, but getting it even or even close on all four sides is a hell of a task. Any tips for placing the neg in the carrier and/or holding it in place? Hard to see how it’s seated until you lower the condenser head.

Second question: Are there any resources out there that would show me how to adjust and calibrate this unit? Prints look all right, but want to be sure.

I will say the image position on the baseboard is further away from me and closer to the rail than I would expect. I had been using it mostly for proofs and contact prints before, so I’m just now noticing this.

Rick Jones · Jul 31, 2023

Dan - if you truly flatten your negative strips I believe that will solve your problem with aligning the negatives with the carrier. As to adjusting and calibrating I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Unless the enlarger has been dropped or abused I don't believe you will have any worries. The projected image in relation to the rail is fixed by design so I believe you are stuck. I have been using my Valoy II for over 50 years and wouldn't trade it for anything. Hope you enjoy yours half as much as I have mine.

eli griggs · Jul 31, 2023

Your enlarger's negitive carrier should allow a very flat positioning, with the thin bronze condenser, the anti-Newton ring adapter* in place, providing the smallest space possible between the condenser and projected negitive's image.

I have and use the Valloy II, complete with this OEM setup and, IIRC, the negitive holder was available in a no black border style and a harder to find thin black border style, which I have.

If you want an even, all around black border, then practice AND the use of easel blades is the ticket.

After all, the framed Negitive will no change the begining edges of the black border space, so just use the blades and light head hight adjuster to obtain a black border all around and thin three sides to the thinnest black line side/size.

It would be helpful to see which holder and condenser with bronze shim device you do have, please.

DowntownDan · Aug 1, 2023

eli griggs said:
Your enlarger's negitive carrier should allow a very flat positioning, with the thin bronze condenser, the anti-Newton ring adapter* in place, providing the smallest space possible between the condenser and projected negitive's image.

I have and use the Valloy II, complete with this OEM setup and, IIRC, the negitive holder was available in a no black border style and a harder to find thin black border style, which I have.

If you want an even, all around black border, then practice AND the use of easel blades is the ticket.

After all, the framed Negitive will no change the begining edges of the black border space, so just use the blades and light head hight adjuster to obtain a black border all around and thin three sides to the thinnest black line side/size.

It would be helpful to see which holder and condenser with bronze shim device you do have, please.

Thanks. that’s a great tip on the blades. Here’s the setup:

Hilo · Aug 1, 2023

The Valoy II is a great enlarger and the suggestions here are all valid.

But your reality may be different: you may not have the "anti-Newton adapter" Eli speaks about. And you may not need it as your late grey Valoy II generally came with the frosted AN condenser. To check: this condenser sits in the opening locked with a bayonet. Push it up slightly, turn it a bit and it will come down. Now you will be able to see if the condenser's glass is clear, or frosted. You can now also clean it very well. Installing the condenser: just push it back in, turn it a bit and it will catch. Attached a picture of the two different condensers

About the negative carrier: most of them give a black border which is narrow, uneven and fuzzy on the outside. That's what we called the Leitz border for a long time. It can be quite beautiful, but in general I prefer to have a straight border, so I filed out a negative holder about 1 to 2 millimetres all around and mask off with the easel. Of course, using the easel, we can also chose to have no black border.

With regards to adjusting and calibrating this enlarger, just do some prints and check the grain in the corners. There generally is no problem.

Finally, Leitz made an under the lens filter holder for the Valoy II. It took me years to find it and I never saw it come up for sale after that. I used the redfilter bracket (as I never use redfilters) and modified an Omega holder . . . which is actually easier to use because it is open on the front side . . .

DowntownDan · Aug 1, 2023

Hilo said:
The Valoy II is a great enlarger and the suggestions here are all valid.

But your reality may be different: you may not have the "anti-Newton adapter" Eli speaks about. And you may not need it as your late grey Valoy II generally came with the frosted AN condenser. To check: this condenser sits in the opening locked with a bayonet. Push it up slightly, turn it a bit and it will come down. Now you will be able to see if the condenser's glass is clear, or frosted. You can now also clean it very well. Installing the condenser: just push it back in, turn it a bit and it will catch. Attached a picture of the two different condensers

About the negative carrier: most of them give a black border which is narrow, uneven and fuzzy on the outside. That's what we called the Leitz border for a long time. It can be quite beautiful, but in general I prefer to have a straight border, so I filed out a negative holder about 1 to 2 millimetres all around and mask off with the easel. Of course, using the easel, we can also chose to have no black border.

With regards to adjusting and calibrating this enlarger, just do some prints and check the grain in the corners. There generally is no problem.

Finally, Leitz made an under the lens filter holder for the Valoy II. It took me years to find it and I never saw it come up for sale after that. I used the redfilter bracket (as I never use redfilters) and modified an Omega holder . . . which is actually easier to use because it is open on the front side . . .

View attachment 345415

Unfortunately, it appears I have the clear glass and not frosted. Is there a part code on the anti Newton ring adapter?

Hilo · Aug 1, 2023

Leitz will have given the AN ring adapter a code name, but it is not on the piece itself. Here is a picture of it attached to the condenser, so you know what it looks like. They do not show up often.

It is easy to fabricate something yourself. I used thin black pvc sheet and created a sandwich that fits on the holder. You just want to prevent the glossy side of the negative touching the glass of the condenser. See pictures . . .

eli griggs · Aug 1, 2023

Leitz made at least two versions of the negitive holder, one which had a tighter field of view, no black lines, and, the version you show, which I also have.

If I can get to it, I'll look at my copy of the original user manual and post any OEM nomenclature I find there.

The red filter arm is simply a swing in and swing out of the projected light path device.

Cheers.

Hilo · Aug 2, 2023

eli griggs said:
The red filter arm is simply a swing in and swing out of the projected light path device.

Indeed, it is that. Its bracket is brilliant, as it is adjustable in height. When one takes off the red filter and attaches a filter holder to it, you can't go wrong. Pictures attached, first the modified Omega filter holder, second the Leitz filter holder.

Sorry, something went wrong uploading these images, here they are.

DowntownDan · Aug 21, 2023

Hilo said:
Indeed, it is that. Its bracket is brilliant, as it is adjustable in height. When one takes off the red filter and attaches a filter holder to it, you can't go wrong. Pictures attached, first the modified Omega filter holder, second the Leitz filter holder.

Sorry, something went wrong uploading these images, here they are.

View attachment 345559 View attachment 345560

This filter rig is much much better than putting the filter in the lamp housing above the condenser like I do. Any special mods you had to do?

Hilo · Aug 23, 2023

Using the contrast filters inside the lamp housing (on the condenser) works. But we also risk to bring along dust and misalignment of the light system. When doing large prints it gets more difficult to reach the lamphead and bring filters in and out.

As I never use the redfilter, I just took it off the bracket and drilled holes in the bracket and in the filter holder. To determine where the holes should be put the bracket in the middle of its 'up and down' range and make sure the hole of the holder is under the lens. I use a small iron saw to shorten the holders.

The Omega holder is my favorite because it is open at the front and its diameter is larger than most other holders. That makes using it easier than the Leitz holder. Years ago, I have also used Beseler holders with four upright flaps.

A similar modification is possible for the Focomat Ic without the filter tray. You use the shoulder screw of the redfilter. And we need to saw off a piece at the back right of the holder.

If only Leitz would simply produce these filter holders and hand them out as a service to the users of their beautiful enlargers.

DowntownDan · Aug 27, 2023

Hilo said:
Using the contrast filters inside the lamp housing (on the condenser) works. But we also risk to bring along dust and misalignment of the light system. When doing large prints it gets more difficult to reach the lamphead and bring filters in and out.

As I never use the redfilter, I just took it off the bracket and drilled holes in the bracket and in the filter holder. To determine where the holes should be put the bracket in the middle of its 'up and down' range and make sure the hole of the holder is under the lens. I use a small iron saw to shorten the holders.

The Omega holder is my favorite because it is open at the front and its diameter is larger than most other holders. That makes using it easier than the Leitz holder. Years ago, I have also used Beseler holders with four upright flaps.

A similar modification is possible for the Focomat Ic without the filter tray. You use the shoulder screw of the redfilter. And we need to saw off a piece at the back right of the holder.

If only Leitz would simply produce these filter holders and hand them out as a service to the users of their beautiful enlargers.

Thank you so much!

eli griggs · Aug 28, 2023

I just found my Valloy II user manual this morning and I'll photograph it and post it today or Tuesday.

What I found most interesting was what was not in it, so now I'm wondering if I have a sister manual with the missing data somewhere here.

What information that is contained in this pamphlet is helpful, with lots of Leica/Letiz Voodoo identifiers.

By the way, according to the pamphlet, the original filter that came with this thing, was orange, not red.

Cheers.

Hilo · Aug 28, 2023

Eli, I have two of these small Leitz Valoy II pamphlets in German, one from 1958, the other from 1959 and, yes, they mention the orange filter. I can be wrong, but it sounds like the orange filter is meant for the same thing as the red filter: to position the enlarging paper, and to position test strips in the right spot of the projected image.

From when is your user manual?

eli griggs · Aug 29, 2023

I believe; it's a '58 edition.

It's missing page numbers, although it refers to page numbers.

One of the odd things about it is the lack for reference to the anti-Newton bracket, causing me to think I have two pamphlets, as I distinctly remember seeing that device in one of them.

I still have to post a pic or two, so others can see what to look out for in an original user manual.

Richard Jepsen · Jan 12, 2024

For the APUG community I wish to thank Hilo for his excellent support on the Valoy and Focomat enlargers.

Don_ih · Jan 12, 2024

Richard Jepsen said:
For the APUG community I wish to thank Hilo for his excellent support on the Valoy and Focomat enlargers.

I second that. He is very generous with his knowledge of the enlargers and their lenses.

Richard Jepsen · Jan 12, 2024

Read what others think of the Valoy 2. Its simplicity and quality design are two strengths. I also support only using test strips certainly if making modest enlargements on 8x10. Too much equipment can get in the way. The more you print the more your eye is calibrated. To work simply and intuitively is a great joy.

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eli griggs · Jan 12, 2024

"Too much equipment can get in the way. The more you print the more your eye is calibrated. To work simply and intuitively is a great joy."

True for printing and true for photographing with b&w films; you can perceive what's "Right" very quickly

Valoy II - neg holder and adjustment help

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