Peak 2030 Enlarging Focuser (MK III)

Introduction

Focus finders (aka grain focusers) are auxiliary instruments which ensure a sharp focusing on your photo-enlarger.

When equipping a darkroom, there are some areas where you can cut corners and save money. You definitely shouldn’t cut corners when buying an enlarging focuser. Having tried many different models over the last 20 years, I finally found the one that ticks all boxes.

Review

Specifications

• 10x magnification

• Optical construction: 2 groups, 2 elements

• Viewing Angle: 10°

• Mirror Size: 43 x 25 mm

• Overall Size: 65 x 140 x 140 mm

Build Quality & Optics

Focus finders are precision devices and the smallest deviations can result in unsatisfactory results. The Peak 2030 is made of high quality plastic and some metal parts. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that it is manufactured to the highest standards.

The optics system is very bright and the 10x magnification is more than enough to achieve proper focus every time.

It comes with a sheet of paper instructions that are quite informative.

Peak 2030 with protective caps and manual

Peak 2030 without protective caps

In Use

Thanks to the Peak 2030`s compact design and the big mirror, it can be used to accurately check focus even in a position deviating from right below the optical axis of the enlarger.

This is especially useful when printing high magnification ratios. The higher the magnification, the smaller the depth of field. With the Peak one can easily determine the proper aperture and focus without wasting paper trying.

I also learned to appreciate the small form factor. It is significantly smaller than the Paterson Major Focus Finder and is therefore less likely to get knocked over by accident.

A magnification of 10x ensures proper focusing even with smaller aperture enlarging lenses.

A hint: Always put a piece of the photographic paper you want to print on under the focuser before you focus. Only then the enlarged image can be properly focused on the photographic paper.

Availability & Verdict

Peak Optics produced three different enlarging focusers - the 2030 / mark II being the least expensive out of the bunch. The other models featured even better optics and build quality, but are currently out of production.

Anyways, I don’t think that a focus finder has to be any better than the Peak Optics 2030 / mark III.

I purchased my Peak 2030 from Catlabs. You can also order it directly from Peak Optics.

Expect to pay 130 USD for a great tool that will last for a lifetime. It is a smart investment that will definitely improve your darkroom work.