Leitz Focomator 2 Enlarger
06
days
13
hours
37
minutes
12
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Thorsten Pöllath
Has 40 years of experience in photography and 25 years of collecting expertise, specialising in M42 lens mounts.
Estimate € 450 - € 500
No bids placed
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Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Focomator 2 enlarger, physically in adequate condition and for parts only.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar – Leitz Focomator II Enlarger
An absolute masterpiece of German industrial history & fine mechanics for collectors and enthusiasts of analog photography!
You are bidding on a rare, historical enlarger from the house of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar (prewar / early postwar period).
The device fascinates with its extremely massive construction made of heavy cast iron and the legendary parallelogram mechanism.
The unit comes from a restoration project and has already been lovingly mechanically partially overhauled. Due to transport damage incurred during shipping to the electrical system, it is explicitly offered as a defective restoration object, donor of parts, or historic collector/decoration item.
CONDITION & WORK ALREADY DONE
Timer works:
The integrated mechanical Leitz exposure timer on the base runs flawlessly.
Mechanism loosened & polished:
The decade-hardened guide rods were painstakingly cleaned and polished. The mechanism runs noticeably freely again.
Height adjustment intact:
The massive parallelogram guide operates cleanly. The original cable for the mechanical counterweight on the column is present.
Cast housing in very good condition:
The heavy cast base is also completely dry from the underside, clean and shows no cracks or breaks in the metal.
EQUIPMENT & VALUABLE ACCESSORIES
HIGHLIGHT – Leitz Focotar 1:4.5 / 50 mm objective
The original enlarging lens (serial/part number 19240/2) is included in the delivery.
The lenses are clear and absolutely free of glass fungus. The diaphragm blades are dry, undamaged and not oily (tested with transmitted light).
Lamp housing & condenser
The original large condenser lens inside is present and in good, clear condition without major scratches.
Lamp socket
Equipped with the original E27 screw socket and inner reflector. The unit can be used with modern matte LED light sources after proper restoration.
Real wood base plate
With the rarely directly integrated mechanical format and mask adjustment (adjustment slider for photographic paper).
Negative stage & 35 mm mask
Film stage with side retaining arms for roll film, as well as the often-missing removable metal insert mask for the classic 35 mm small-format (24 × 36 mm).
Loose original small parts
Case screws, knurled nut, an E14 tubular lamp, and the original screw-in holder for the back scale illumination are included.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE ELECTRICS – TRANSPORT DAMAGE
Please read this condition note carefully before bidding to avoid misunderstandings.
The electrical damage occurred during shipping.
The enlarger was carefully inspected before shipment and prepared and packaged accordingly. At the time of handover to the shipping service, the respective parts were still on the device. The damage to the historic connection sockets described here was caused only by mishandling during transport.
On delivery to me, the DHL package was handled roughly. The historic ceramic sockets on the back of the base were completely shattered.
The debris parts lie loose in a plastic bag.
Important: The transport damage is explicitly and fully disclosed. The photos show the current condition of the device and the damaged electricals.
NOTE ON RESTORATION
Since original Leitz spare parts for this enlarger are hardly available on the open market (except through specialist collector contacts or historic photo shops), the buyer must be creative here.
The ceramic or Bakelite parts would have to be carefully glued/restored or replaced with contemporary alternatives.
Cables must be completely renewed
All external and internal cables are old and brittle. The insulation is partially damaged or exposed.
The housing of the brown Bakelite coupling at the top of the rigid column is broken as well.
SAFETY NOTICE
The device must under no circumstances be connected to the power grid in this condition.
All cabling must be completely renewed by a qualified electrical technician and properly grounded before operation.
IN THE BOX/DELIVERY
• Leitz Focomator II enlarger (as pictured)
• Leitz Wetzlar Focotar 50 mm f/4.5 lens (fungus-free)
• Real wood base plate with integrated mask adjustment
• Original 35mm small-format mask
• Screw-in filter
• Accessories and wreckage parts of the electrical system in a separate bag
If you do not want or cannot do the restoration of the defective sockets and cables yourself, there are still highly specialized service companies in Germany that can professionally refurbish exactly such historic Leitz lab equipment.
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar – Leitz Focomator II Enlarger
An absolute masterpiece of German industrial history & fine mechanics for collectors and enthusiasts of analog photography!
You are bidding on a rare, historical enlarger from the house of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar (prewar / early postwar period).
The device fascinates with its extremely massive construction made of heavy cast iron and the legendary parallelogram mechanism.
The unit comes from a restoration project and has already been lovingly mechanically partially overhauled. Due to transport damage incurred during shipping to the electrical system, it is explicitly offered as a defective restoration object, donor of parts, or historic collector/decoration item.
CONDITION & WORK ALREADY DONE
Timer works:
The integrated mechanical Leitz exposure timer on the base runs flawlessly.
Mechanism loosened & polished:
The decade-hardened guide rods were painstakingly cleaned and polished. The mechanism runs noticeably freely again.
Height adjustment intact:
The massive parallelogram guide operates cleanly. The original cable for the mechanical counterweight on the column is present.
Cast housing in very good condition:
The heavy cast base is also completely dry from the underside, clean and shows no cracks or breaks in the metal.
EQUIPMENT & VALUABLE ACCESSORIES
HIGHLIGHT – Leitz Focotar 1:4.5 / 50 mm objective
The original enlarging lens (serial/part number 19240/2) is included in the delivery.
The lenses are clear and absolutely free of glass fungus. The diaphragm blades are dry, undamaged and not oily (tested with transmitted light).
Lamp housing & condenser
The original large condenser lens inside is present and in good, clear condition without major scratches.
Lamp socket
Equipped with the original E27 screw socket and inner reflector. The unit can be used with modern matte LED light sources after proper restoration.
Real wood base plate
With the rarely directly integrated mechanical format and mask adjustment (adjustment slider for photographic paper).
Negative stage & 35 mm mask
Film stage with side retaining arms for roll film, as well as the often-missing removable metal insert mask for the classic 35 mm small-format (24 × 36 mm).
Loose original small parts
Case screws, knurled nut, an E14 tubular lamp, and the original screw-in holder for the back scale illumination are included.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE ELECTRICS – TRANSPORT DAMAGE
Please read this condition note carefully before bidding to avoid misunderstandings.
The electrical damage occurred during shipping.
The enlarger was carefully inspected before shipment and prepared and packaged accordingly. At the time of handover to the shipping service, the respective parts were still on the device. The damage to the historic connection sockets described here was caused only by mishandling during transport.
On delivery to me, the DHL package was handled roughly. The historic ceramic sockets on the back of the base were completely shattered.
The debris parts lie loose in a plastic bag.
Important: The transport damage is explicitly and fully disclosed. The photos show the current condition of the device and the damaged electricals.
NOTE ON RESTORATION
Since original Leitz spare parts for this enlarger are hardly available on the open market (except through specialist collector contacts or historic photo shops), the buyer must be creative here.
The ceramic or Bakelite parts would have to be carefully glued/restored or replaced with contemporary alternatives.
Cables must be completely renewed
All external and internal cables are old and brittle. The insulation is partially damaged or exposed.
The housing of the brown Bakelite coupling at the top of the rigid column is broken as well.
SAFETY NOTICE
The device must under no circumstances be connected to the power grid in this condition.
All cabling must be completely renewed by a qualified electrical technician and properly grounded before operation.
IN THE BOX/DELIVERY
• Leitz Focomator II enlarger (as pictured)
• Leitz Wetzlar Focotar 50 mm f/4.5 lens (fungus-free)
• Real wood base plate with integrated mask adjustment
• Original 35mm small-format mask
• Screw-in filter
• Accessories and wreckage parts of the electrical system in a separate bag
If you do not want or cannot do the restoration of the defective sockets and cables yourself, there are still highly specialized service companies in Germany that can professionally refurbish exactly such historic Leitz lab equipment.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Leitz
Model/type nr
Focomator 2
Physical condition
Fair
Functional condition
Only for parts
Designer/artist/maker
Ernst Leitz / Ernst Leitz Wetzlar
Film type
35mm
Estimated period
1930-1940
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