Hi Folks - I am a darkroom novice. I've taken one b&w photo class, but since then I've been lucky enough to get my hands on a Leica V35 enlarger. I'm sure I will have lots of questions in the future since the instruction manual is somewhat minimal. But for now my first problem involves the baseboard. I received the enlarger minus the baseboard. I have got one cut to size and am ready to install the enlarger on it. Along with the enlarger came a steel plate with flanged edge (imagine a skinny C shaped profile). This plate has the holes cut in it to match the locations of the screws. Anyone know if this is just a template to drill the holes, or does this get installed on the baseboard. Also I realise that I need to add feet to the underside of the baseboard to raise it up so that the screw for the adjustable column is able to operate freely - correct? Has anyone out there been through this process and can give me some advice?

-- Maxine Warwick (maxinewarwick@hotmail.com), May 12, 2001

Answers

Maxine: It sounds like it is a backing plate to distribute the load. You may use it for a template, but also mount it on the bottom of the baseplate so the nuts do not pull through the wood. Good luck and enjoy.

Mark J.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logic@gci.net), May 12, 2001.

The Howe book on Darkroom Leica stuff is still in print. Very helpful about the V35.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), May 12, 2001.

A webpage you might find interesting:

http://www.infomaniak.ch/~bonavolt/v35.htm

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), May 13, 2001.

Maxine,

I just went out and checked my V35. The plate is installed on the underside of the base board with the flange pointing away from the board i.e. The back of the 'C' is attached flush to the base board.

When you are ready to set up your V35 for the autofocus let me know and I'll tell you how to do it. You won't regret your purchase as the V35 is a beautifully made, solid 35mm enlarger.

-- matt (mv@ezysurf.co.nz), May 13, 2001.