Leica Postal Portfolio 06: Rara Avis - The Focomat 1b in captivity

Sunday 28 January 2018

Rara Avis - The Focomat 1b in captivity

A Focomat 1b has emerged available on Ebay. It is most unusual to see one of these enlargers on offer in the UK and it would be interesting to learn how it came to the UK at a time when imports were restricted. In fact I have never seen one on Ebay in many years of Leica enthusiasm.

The machine is covered in detail in my Blog of 23rd September 2017, but only by use of magazine reviews and advertisements of the immediate post war period. Now, by the kindness of a UK photographer, I am able to show a few detailed shots of the machine now on sale. For greater quality try Flicker which reveals all the series.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS POSTING BY KINDNESS AND PERMISSION OF MARTIN LANGFORD.

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Welcome to the Paul Blanchard Vintage Leica Postal Portfolio 06 Blog

Recording traditional Black & White photography created using mostly vintage Leica cameras by Paul Blanchard, Wiltshire UK., within the Grouping of Circle 6 of the Leica Society. Just a touch of Colour may creep in.

Email:
paulblanchardlppo6@gmail.com

All of the monochrome photographs shown on this blog are from film and printed with a Leica Valoy 11 or Focomat 1c enlargers using Leica Focotar 2 lenses unless otherwise stated. In most cases originals were circulated in the Circle. I am introducing Ilford MG DeLuxe (5) paper at present. The films are often T-Max 400 on the first shots later changing to some Rollei RPX 25.where possible. Development of T-Max is in D 76 Dil. 1:1 for 10 mins. All RPX 25 is processed in FX-39. If diluted, 1:9, then time is 7.5 min. All at 20 degrees C. Colour, if any, is normally printed by The Darkroom Cheltenham.

From time to time other interesting enlargers appear but most use is made of Leica products.

Founded as Circle 6 of Leica Postal Portfolios in 1938, we are now known as The Leica Society, full details can be found on the website: http://www.theleicasociety.org.uk/-Have a look!

Care has been taken to avoid reproduction of any book or picture which may be under 75 years old, since the authors death, where Copyright may remain, If any inadvertent error has arisen the material will be deleted on request. The majority of the photographs are my own and copyright is waived if credited on reproduction.