Leica Focomat V-35 Enlargers
Leica Focomat V-35 Enlargers
USER REVIEWS
[Aug 23, 2024]
Janwil
Strength:
You have a good product! Thank you | NOVA Concreters concreters Weakness:
none so far |
[Apr 25, 2024]
Toddclo
Strength:
Versatility, sturdiness, ease of operation- Spark Plugs and Ignition Coil repair Weakness:
none . . . Purchased: New
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[Sep 06, 2023]
hendrenu
Strength:
One of the best 35mm cameras ever made. For sure the best Pentax 35mm camera. I can say that: I own four LX and 12 other Pentax bodies. Westminster Bounce House Rental Weakness:
None . . Purchased: New
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[Dec 31, 2004]
dmb
Expert
Strength:
Super steady enlargers. Very sharp. I have used these very same enlargers for the last 15 years and for 35mm work, they are the best!
Weakness:
Autofocus feature needs an adjustment. This is a well-Used enlargers that are super sharp. They don't have a "show-room" look anymore but they don't look banged-up. I can email pics of them to whomever wants them. 2-Leitz V35 Focomats, each with its own 40/2.8 Focotar. Excellent quality enlargers. Comes with timers and extra halogen bulbs. I use SLR digital cameras and medium format so I don't need these enlargers. I have an Omega D5 for enlarging. I'd like to sell them and I'm open to suggestions re price. In the meantime, I'll browse the net for the appropriate price. Similar Products Used: Leica copystands, Leica M-Series cameras |
[Sep 05, 2003]
Pertti Rekala
Expert
Strength:
For instance Focomat V35 is the only enlarger available, that is equipped with halogen lamp even without the color module.
Weakness:
None. I have used many enlargers during my 30 years with photography and I must say that Focomat V35 is simply the best equipment money can buy. I have owmned Durst 350 with Nikon 2,8/50 mm lens for a few years, but I wasn't satisfied with the condensor enlarger and its harsh contrast. Customer Service I have owned Focomat for 17 years and never needed any. Similar Products Used: There is none, 'cause this is nowadays the only machine with the auto focus function. |
[Dec 25, 2002]
Lars Bryant
Professional
Strength:
Sharp lense. Strong build.
Weakness:
Only 35 mm. And I did not find the Af very easy to use. Did not like the film carrier, hard to make the film stay in one place... Overpriced. Sharp lense, but I prefer the Nikkor 50mm/2.8 lense with a Durst 370 or 670. The Nikkor looks more black&white. And at distance looking at prints the Nikon looks sharper cause they look more black and white and looks like they have more contrast or something....just better... Similar Products Used: Durst |
[Oct 08, 2002]
TheJazzmanb
Professional
Strength:
Versatility, sturdiness, ease of operation
Weakness:
None As it was said by the Leica CEO just recently. "Leica produces cameras and, at one time, enlargers to show the unsurpassed quality of their lenses". An that's all one needs to produce high quality photographs. Customer Service Never Similar Products Used: Durst |
[Oct 27, 2000]
Bob Todrick
Expert
Strength:
Lens quality
Weakness:
Inability to use with negs other than 35mm. In 25 years of photographing I have spent a huge amount of time in the darkroom. Two enargers stand out above all others. Saunders 4500 (see it's review) and the Leica Focomat V35. Customer Service Never required Similar Products Used: Saunders, Beseler, Omega and Durst. |
[Dec 24, 2000]
Mike Johnston
Expert
Strength:
Autofocus is convenient, carrier is easy to handle--very fast enlarger to use for lots of 35mm printing
Weakness:
Crude and antiquated VC mechanism, extremely poor value, 35mm only (competes with most enlargers made for all formats up to 6x7). At the end of this enlarger's production life it was rumored to have been selling fewer than 200 units annually. The reason was not that it was a bad machine, but simply that it offered spectacularly poor value for cost. The reason I'm bothering to post this is simply to counterbalance the unthinking opinion that everything Leica does is perfect and can't be improved on, and so "must be" worth the money. No. A couple of companies make enlargers that are "better" for less--in particular, see the Durst and Saunders models. Also, Leica enlarging lenses are not the absolute best money can buy, despite the received opinion. This enlarger has one great strength--it is very fast to use when you're making lots and lots of quick-and-dirty workprints. Otherwise, I'd advise people to think carefully before making knee-jerk assumptions prior to purchase. Tough call between 3 and 4 stars, but I think I'll go low since so many other people will go high "just because it's Leica." Similar Products Used: You name it--I have a degree in photography, have designed and built darkrooms for individuals and commercial clients, have supervised and worked in many commerical darkrooms, have written for many darkroom publications in the U.S. and Europe, and for 6 years was editor-in-chief of the world's largest darkroom-oriented photography magazine |
[Jan 17, 2001]
Joe McCary
Professional
Strength:
Strong, robust good B&W AND color enlarger. Easy to use, reliable, rock solid. The 40mm Focotar is an outstanding lens, Without a doubt the BEST enlarger I have ever used
Weakness:
would be nice if the column went upo another couple inches This enlarger out performs any other 35mm enlarger. Similar Products Used: Leitz Focomat 1C |