I have not long ago bought a Leitz V35 enlarger, it came without instructions. I need some help with a three matters pertaining to this enlarger. Firstly, it is equipped with a vario contast module and I haven't a clue as to how I take this module out to clean it, as I noticed it has a small amount of surface rust on some of the internal screws.

Secondly, after adjusting the the position of the lens aperture scale so that it faced the front of the enlarger, I stupidly retightened the large rotating ring that holds the helical mount (to which the lens is attached) too tightly. So tightly in fact that I can't move it, further compounded by the fact that I can't remember if it is a right hand thread or a left hand thread. Does someone know which thread it is, so that if I ever want to change the position of the aperture scale again I can do so?

Thirdly, I notice that by looking in the gap where the negative carrier goes with a penlight there is a fair amount of dust on the diffusor lens. Does anyone know of an easy way to clean this? I don't want to spray compressed air in there and would prefer to dismantle some of the enlarger to get to it in order to clean it with a sable brush and blower.

Lastly let me say, what a terrific enlarger it is and thanks for any help in advance.

-- Matt Veld (mahv@xtra.co.nz), January 27, 2001

Answers

It's an ordinary right hand screw (turn clockwise to tighten). The entire VC module comes out if you pop off the top of the enlarger which is only held by detents (no screws). Can't help you on the cleaning part -- I've never looked to see if mine needs it. Believe it or not, if you call the service dept at Leica they are actually helpful and not snotty (how things have changed). Mitch

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), January 27, 2001.

Thanks Bill.

-- Matt Veld (mahv@xtra.co.nz), February 04, 2001.