Will I regret selling my Focomat v35?

Bob Bibab · Jul 4, 2020

Yeah. I know I am in two minds. On the one hand I like it and it will probably get more expensive over time, and I have enough a few spare bulbs. On the other I know I am a bit of a hoarder, and I ask myself do I really need two enlargers if the Durst can cover it all. Tough. And annoying thing is that the price of the Durst seems to have doubled since I started trying to buy one in March.

logan2z · Jul 4, 2020

Rob Skeoch said:
I have a V35.... I buy my bulbs from http://www.khbphotografix.com,.... he's an enlarger expert.

That's where I bought my bulbs. I still get unacceptably long exposure times. Maybe there's something else wrong with my v35 if you use the bulbs from KHB and your exposure times are reasonable. My prints look fine but the long exposure times are a bit annoying.

Chan Tran · Jul 5, 2020

Bob Bibab said:
Yeah. I know I am in two minds. On the one hand I like it and it will probably get more expensive over time, and I have enough a few spare bulbs. On the other I know I am a bit of a hoarder, and I ask myself do I really need two enlargers if the Durst can cover it all. Tough. And annoying thing is that the price of the Durst seems to have doubled since I started trying to buy one in March.

If you like it and think the price may go higher then keep it. I personally don't like it.

Hilo · Jul 6, 2020

If you have the space, having two enlargers (or more) can really make sense. It is great to be able to leave one of them in high position for large prints. Each enlarger has it's own character, probably this is mostly about the lamp heads, the condenser and the lenses. One enlarger may solve a printing problem you have with the other enlarger. Sometimes I go from Focomat IIc to the Durst L1000 (wall mounted), because I fight with the automatic focus system of the IIc. The L1000 is like a Valoy II, you can use any lens. Sometimes, for 135mm, I go from the Focomat Ic to the Focomat IIc because even illumination is critical.

If you like the V35, keep it !

ruilourosa · Jul 6, 2020

Yes, you will regret it.

darkosaric · Jul 6, 2020

If you do sell it, then later - when (not if) you regret, and buy it again --> write here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...eras-lenses-that-you-have-sold-before.146154/

guangong · Jul 6, 2020

I have owned a Focomat Ic since about 1970. For medium and 45 formats I use a Beseler 45. For Minox I use a Minox enlarger. The Leitz enlarger is great for 35mm. Minox makes 8x11 format easy to handle. Beseler not very comfortable to use for smaller films. I have no experience with Durst enlargers. Also, have never used Leica v35. But I would never sell my Focomat.

Bob Bibab · Jul 6, 2020

darkosaric said:
If you do sell it, then later - when (not if) you regret, and buy it again --> write here:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...eras-lenses-that-you-have-sold-before.146154/

To be fair, enlargers take a bit more pace than cameras and lenses.

Bob Bibab · Jul 6, 2020

Hilo said:
If you have the space, having two enlargers (or more) can really make sense. It is great to be able to leave one of them in high position for large prints. Each enlarger has it's own character, probably this is mostly about the lamp heads, the condenser and the lenses. One enlarger may solve a printing problem you have with the other enlarger. Sometimes I go from Focomat IIc to the Durst L1000 (wall mounted), because I fight with the automatic focus system of the IIc. The L1000 is like a Valoy II, you can use any lens. Sometimes, for 135mm, I go from the Focomat Ic to the Focomat IIc because even illumination is critical.

If you like the V35, keep it !

I don't have a space for a permanent darkroom. It gets setup in the bathroom on a need basis.

baachitraka · Jul 6, 2020

Bob Bibab said:
I don't have a space for a permanent darkroom. It gets setup in the bathroom on a need basis.

I never managed to have extra space. Focomat Ic was on washing machine and Durst M600 on the drier.

Trays on the tub and the prints in the tub till morning (not a way to wash prints).

Nevertheless it worked and it was funny to listen to the feedback from spouse.

Hilo · Jul 7, 2020

Bob Bibab said:
I don't have a space for a permanent darkroom. It gets setup in the bathroom on a need basis.

That changes the perspective. The V35 is a heavy enlarger and it is not that practical to bring it out now and then. I would sell it, but there's nothing against keeping it.

I know the following is not an answer to your question, but perhaps you see the advantage of having a dedicated 135mm enlarger: If you're not printing larger than 12x16in. (30X40cm) you could consider getting a Valoy II to use next to your Durst. It is small and light, easy to store and easy to bring out. You can use any lens with it, also your 40mm Focotar. It has the same brilliant system as the Focomat Ic of the condenser pressing down on the negative and it uses the same negative holders. The later ones have AN treated condensers, the light grey version for sure. It is cheap too.

NB23 · Jul 7, 2020

The V35 is a perfect heirloom. Masterful design. Why hide it?

The day my Focomat wont’t be used as an enlarger, I will use it as a decoration and conversation piece. There is not a single reason in the world as to why I should keep a plant over my focomat. They basically almost occupy the same footprint.

albertphot · Jul 7, 2020

I've a V35 with the adapter by Leitz but with the “old“ mixing box and I'm not convinced by the evenness of that box... The corners aren't as well exposed as the middle of the print. For the rest it's a good enlarger. But until I haven't found a new mixing box, I'm printing critical negatives with my Durst M605 enlarger.

AgX · Jul 7, 2020

NB23 said:
The day my Focomat wont’t be used as an enlarger, I will use it as a decoration and conversation piece. There is not a single reason in the world as to why I should keep a plant over my focomat. They basically almost occupy the same footprint.

You could have plant climb up the Focomat....

Lachlan Young · Jul 7, 2020

albertphot said:
I've a V35 with the adapter by Leitz but with the “old“ mixing box and I'm not convinced by the evenness of that box... The corners aren't as well exposed as the middle of the print. For the rest it's a good enlarger. But until I haven't found a new mixing box, I'm printing critical negatives with my Durst M605 enlarger.

Check out the Kienzle parts list I posted in post #15 - by the looks of it, they can upgrade the mixing box/ condenser setup in various ways.

Bob Bibab · Jul 9, 2020

Got a few offers for the enlarger, the lens and some extra bulbs and a couple of negative holders £600-800 range. Not enough money to replace it with a de vere 504 unfortunately (would probably crush my washer).

xtol121 · Jul 21, 2020

I joined Photrio after purchasing a V35 and spending a few weeks browsing threads trying to find a suitable bulb replacement, and also figure out what other issues I might run into. I got dismayed and went nuclear and bought the Heiland LED cold source, but while waiting for that to ship I played around with a few bulbs from Amazon and actually found a great replacement bulb that gave me a very usable 6"x9" image with 10s @ f5.6 exposure through a normally processed 400TX negative. I purchased it for about $10USD on Amazon.

Here's the bulb info - EFP , 64627 HLX 12V 100W 3144880 Projection Bi-Pin Base Bulb JCR12V100W/G1 EFP Bulb

Upgrading to the V35 from a Beseler Printmaker, and then upgrading the V35 to the Heiland LED cold source, has made printing infinitely more enjoyable. It feels like I have the Rolls Royce of enlargers now!

MattKing · Jul 21, 2020

xtol121 said:
Here's the bulb info - EFP , 64627 HLX 12V 100W 3144880 Projection Bi-Pin Base Bulb JCR12V100W/G1 EFP Bulb

Ironically, that is the bulb that the LPL colour and VCCE light sources for the 7700/570 DX enlargers are designed around.

logan2z · Jul 22, 2020

xtol121 said:
Here's the bulb info - EFP , 64627 HLX 12V 100W 3144880 Projection Bi-Pin Base Bulb JCR12V100W/G1 EFP Bulb

The v35 is spec'd to take a 75W bulb. Any issues running a 100W bulb like this one?

xtol121 · Jul 22, 2020

logan2z said:
The v35 is spec'd to take a 75W bulb. Any issues running a 100W bulb like this one?

I only used the lamp for 3 or 4 printing sessions before my LED cold source showed up, so my time with it has been short, but I didn't notice any issues at all. The lamp didn't pop, I didn't experience any surges, and my gralab timer didn't blow a fuse. I'd assume using a 75W lamp for 45 or 60 seconds (my previous exposure times with a different replacement 13139 lamp) would be higher risk of heat damage than using a 100W lamp for 10 seconds. I'm not an electrician either, but there is reference to using a 100W bulb on the widely cited https://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/photo/v35.htm so I didn't think it wasn't particularly dangerous, especially given the short exposure times. I do apologize if suggesting a higher wattage bulb was a bad idea, just reporting my experience.

AgX · Jul 22, 2020

xtol121 said:
II'd assume using a 75W lamp for 45 or 60 seconds (my previous exposure times with a different replacement 13139 lamp) would be higher risk of heat damage than using a 100W lamp for 10 seconds. I'm not an electrician either, but there is reference to using a 100W bulb ... so I didn't think it wasn't particularly dangerous, especially given the short exposure times.

However a enlarger lamp runs much, much longer just for framing, focusing and metering. The exposure time then is negligable concerning heat load.

NB23 · Jul 22, 2020

logan2z said:
The v35 is spec'd to take a 75W bulb. Any issues running a 100W bulb like this one?

25w is a small difference, but the light mixing chamber is made from styrofoam so there is definitely a risk of warping and separation of some glued parts.

logan2z · Jul 22, 2020

NB23 said:
25w is a small difference, but the light mixing chamber is made from styrofoam so there is definitely a risk of warping and separation of some glued parts.

Right, that would concern me. I guess my v35 will continue to be a dust collector until I can find a suitable replacement bulb.

Randy Stewart · Jul 25, 2020

The one problem these days with buying a Durst medium format enlarger is availabilty of parts and accessories. My M800 from the late 1970s has a larger number of accessories which adapt it to almost any use you might want. However, it would be nearly impossible to assemble a complete set of accessories today. Newer Durst models have fewer adaptions but present many of the same resource problems. So, pick your Durst and start hunting, Assuming that you can find the bits and pieces required to set it up as you wish, then use it side by side with the Leitz, and sell off the Leitz if you find you are not using it.

Luis-F-S · Jul 25, 2020

Randy Stewart said:
..So, pick your Durst and start hunting, Assuming that you can find the bits and pieces required to set it up as you wish, then use it side by side with the Leitz, and sell off the Leitz if you find you are not using it.

Kind of what I said in Post #4

Will I regret selling my Focomat v35?

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