lenses agfa enlarger

Gast · 2006-04-13T13:44:02+00:00

liebe Analogfreunde, meine altgedienten und liebgewordenen Agfa variomat 66 (oder so ähnlich) zeigen erste Schwächen. Ich müsse zumindest die Objektive run...

Gast

Dear analogue photography enthusiasts, My trusty old Agfa Variomat 66 (or something like that) is starting to show its age. I need to at least have the lenses refurbished, as mould and stuck apertures are really hampering my work. But as I’ve only just got round to this, you can imagine that the lenses are no longer in the best condition. My plan now is to replace the old Solinar lenses with newer ones, and already the first problems are cropping up. Because the two SolinarS lenses: - do not have a standard M39 thread but some sort of hybrid - neither lens has its own worm gear - the lenses are screwed into the external worm gear - this is then mounted on a special bracket - focal lengths are 60 and 105 mm Has anyone successfully solved similar problems, or is there some sort of adapter available??? Retailers and various ‘tinkerers’ have so far shown no interest; it seems the analogue train has finally left the station for them. Regards, Dirk

mephisto

Hi Dirk! You’re probably not the only one with this sort of problem; after all, the retail trade thrives on selling new goods. But here’s a tip: have a look round the second-hand shops. I don’t know where you live, but I’m sure there are a few camera shops near you that stock second-hand kit. Especially if they also sell enlargers, chemicals and paper, as they’ll have more experience with this sort of equipment. So, it’s a case of looking around and asking. Best regards, mephisto

Gast

That won’t work, because only the original lenses are compatible with the Varioscop; otherwise, the autofocus won’t work. You’re better off buying a new one on eBay. And for goodness’ sake, folks, keep your hands off the lens in future! That way, you won’t get any mould on it either.

cfb_de

No, no. You can't just leave a comment like that...

And anyway, keep your hands off the optics in future! Then you won’t get any mould either.

Even if you keep your hands off the optics, you can still easily get mould in there. Especially if the air in the disused lab (basement?) is of the right sort. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t mind my makeshift darkroom in the bathroom and can live quite happily with the enlargers stored at the foot of my bed. They don’t rust there, the lenses don’t get mouldy, and they get dusted off regularly (well, ‘regularly’ means once a year, so the enlargers have it relatively easy). I’m going to have a go at making something soon: a trolley for the enlargers and drum motor, as well as a trolley for 30x40 trays. Then I could finally pop into the darkroom in the evening to do three prints. Best regards, Franz

mephisto

Hi cfb_de! You’re quite right – I always keep my enlarger in my room too, with the top covered in a plastic bag. That way, I don’t have any problems with dust and the like, and the bathroom is always free (unless it’s being used as a shower room). Best regards, mephisto

Gast

Nah nah, the lens was there first; only then did I pick up the screwdriver. :P I don’t really care about the ‘autofocus’ anyway, as it’s started to play up over time. I think I’ll try cutting a new circuit board with an M-39 thread so I can slide lenses straight into the designated slot, as 6-element lenses have now become a necessity. Although the Solinar 4-element lenses aren’t bad. But now that I’m typing this, it strikes me that it’s not quite that simple, as the lenses – thanks to the thread – would protrude beyond the circuit board – and they mustn’t!! ;) So, let’s think... ... it’s really just a mechanical problem, and surely someone must have solved it before me, right!!?? What about old Meopta or Krokus cameras, for example, or Russian replicas – are there any possibilities with the Agfas – that you could modify something there?? Until then, Dirk

Gast

Buy yourself a new Varioscop on eBay; if you wait a bit, you can get one for a fiver – your idea isn’t going to get any cheaper either.

PhilippReichmuth

Hi Dirk, Could you post a photo of the original lenses here and/or measure the thread? I have an Agfa Colostar N 4.5/60 enlarger lens here, which was intended for a similar purpose in an Agfa large-format system; perhaps they’re compatible, in which case I could pass it on to you. Philipp