Leitz Focomat V35
The V35 was a fresh start for the Focomat. It arrived in 1978, and in place of the opal bulb and condenser it had a 12 V halogen lamp feeding a white mixing box, with plug-in modules for black and white, color, and later Ilford Multigrade through a Variocontrast module. The autofocus moved to a swing arm and a 40mm WA-Focotar, a shorter wide-angle enlarging lens. Darkroom Photography's tester in 1980 checked the focus constantly at first, then came to trust it across the whole 3x to 16x range. After Leitz's mergers it was badged Leica from 1989, and Bonavolta says production stopped around 1995. In 1987 Leitz added a second condenser to the mixing box for more even light. Heiland has since made LED modules for it. Collectors look for the Focotar, the color or Variocontrast module and a working lamp holder.
Leitz Focomat V35 (1978 to 1989)Leica-badged Focomat V35 (1989 to 1995)Black-and-white module, color module or Variocontrast moduleSingle-condenser mixing box, or the two-condenser box from 198750mm Ysaron lens version in some markets
Spec at a glance
- Maker
- Leitz
- Format
- 35mm, up to 35mm
- Stock head
- Diffusion
- Launched
- 1978
- Made
- 1978–1995
- Takes
- 13x17 mm to 24x36 mm, plus mounted slides
- Light source
- 12 V 75 W halogen into a mixing box; B&W, color or Variocontrast module
- Lens
- 40mm WA-Focotar f/2.8 (50mm Ysaron f/3.5 in some markets)
- Autofocus
- 3x to 16x with the Focotar, 3x to 12x with the Ysaron
- Lens thread
- Leica 39mm thread; other lenses focus by hand
- Baseboard
- 54x70 cm, 104 cm tall at full height
- Also listed as
- Focomat V35, Leica V35, Leica Focomat V35, V35 Autofocus
Darkroom check
Light, carriers, bellows and lens
- Light source and lamp
- A 12 V 75 W halogen lamp at the back of the lamphouse shines through a dichroic filter into a white mixing box, so the light is diffused. Early units used a Philips 6604, which owner Pierre Bonavolta says is hard to find. Later ones take an MR16 lamp on a GZ6.35 base, the Philips 13139 or Osram 64615, with a different lamp holder. Kienzle still sells V35 lamp holders and halogen lamps.
- Carriers and condensers
- The standard carrier is hinged, open underneath, with anti-Newton glass on top that only touches the film base. Leitz also made a glassless 24x36, a 25x37 mm for black borders, 28x28 mm, 13x17 mm, a mounted-slide holder and troughs for uncut film. Masking blades are built into the stage. Ask which carriers are included.
- Column and bellows
- There are no bellows. The head rides a spring-balanced swing arm on a round column, and a crank on top raises the column up to 60 mm to allow for easel height. The column also turns for projecting onto the floor. Ask for a video of the head moving through its range and holding still.
- Alignment
- Focus tracking is set with a click-stop on the helical lens mount. Leitz says to focus at the top of the range and turn the ring into its click-stop, which then holds focus all the way down. Ask the seller to show the image sharp at both ends.
- Lens
- It came with the 40mm WA-Focotar f/2.8, or a 50mm Ysaron in some markets, and the autofocus cam is specific to that lens. Any Leica-thread lens fits but has to be focused by hand. Check the photos show the Focotar or Ysaron, with its illuminated aperture scale.
- Timer and power
- A transformer in the cast foot feeds the 12 V lamp from the mains, and a selector covers 110 to 250 V. A fuse protects lamp and transformer. Leitz sold a voltage stabilizer as an accessory, and you'll need a timer.
- Shipping and pickup
- No official weight turned up, and Bonavolta guesses 15 to 20 kg. The baseboard is 54x70 cm and Leitz shipped it with the baseboard detached. It ships fine if the head, arm and color module are packed well.
Should come with it
- The 40mm WA-Focotar f/2.8 (or the Ysaron version)
- A black-and-white, color or Variocontrast module in the lamphouse
- The standard 24x36 carrier with anti-Newton glass
- The detachable mains cable
Hard to find if missing
- The Philips 6604 lamp for early units
- The Variocontrast module
- Carriers for 13x17 mm, 28x28 mm and mounted slides
Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing carrier, condenser or lens board should come off the price.
What to check
Bonavolta says the original Philips 6604 lamp is hard to find, so early units may need the later lamp holder. Darkroom Photography's 1980 test unit had two masking blades that moved crookedly, which he was assured wasn't typical. Swap the lens and the autofocus stops working.
- 01Lens: Check the photos for the 40mm WA-Focotar or the Ysaron. Another lens means focusing by hand.
- 02Module: Check the photos to see which module is fitted. The color module's three dials should turn and their scales should light.
- 03Lamp: Ask the seller to switch it on and photograph the lamphouse. Ask whether it takes the early Philips 6604 or the later MR16 lamp.
- 04Autofocus: Ask for the image shown sharp at the top and bottom of the range. The focus ring should sit in its click-stop.
- 05Carrier: Check the photos for the carrier and any extras like the glassless or slide holder. The anti-Newton glass should be clean and uncracked.
- 06Masking blades: Ask for a photo of the masking blades moved in from each side. They should move straight and evenly.
- 07Voltage: Check the voltage selector setting on the foot in the photos. It should match your mains before you plug it in.
New to used enlargers? How to check a used enlarger covers the bellows, the column, the lamp and alignment, and condenser, diffusion and color heads explains which light source suits how you print.
Find one on eBay
We haven’t been through this model’s listings yet. Search eBay and run every listing through the checklist above. Ask which negative carriers, condensers or mixing box and lens board come with it, for a photo of the lamp lit, and for a photo of the bellows with a light inside them. Pass on any seller who won’t answer.
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