I'm thinking of buying a Valoy II with a Focotar 50/4.5. How does the red filter work on thiese machines? I havn't had a chance to look close enough at it yet. Does anyone have experiece using under-the-lens VC-filters on it?

thank/Fredrik, Annell

-- Fredrik Annell (freann@mac.com), March 12, 2002

Answers

I found that under-the-lens VC filters was a pain, and sold it for the same reason. Other than that, I have only positive things to say about this very nice enlarger.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), March 12, 2002.

I have a Focomat 1C, just the regular model with no filter drawer, and my solution for the VC filters is very simple, pull the top half of the lamphouse off and place the filter on top of the condenser housing. I've been using it this way for years. I use Ilford Multigrade filters, which are 3.5" square, and completely cover the condenser housing. The enlargers are solid enough that you will not disturb the framing or focus.

I took the red filter off, as it is always in the way when you are trying to burn in a print.

-- Ian MacEachern (iwmac@sympatico.ca), March 12, 2002.

On my Valoy II, I've replaced the swinging red filter with a swinging under lens VC filter holder that came with another enlarger. I used a small 'L' bracket held in place by the screw from the red filter (Ilford filter sets come with a red filter, but I almost never use it). this setup works fine--i don't notice any loss of sharpness from the under-the-lens gel filters.

-- Robert Marvin (marvbej@earthlink.net), March 12, 2002.

There are at least three possible approaches:

- take a under the lens holder - take a intermediate housing, provided by manufacturers or custom made not really difficult, therefore not expensive - the ultimate solution - buy a add-on low voltage light source with included filtering http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/beleuchtung/primos.htm makes this for all brands.

-- Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler (christoph-erdmann.pfeiler@gmx.de), March 15, 2002.