meopta opemus 6 enlarger : reviews?

<p>Hi,<br /><br />I am trying to set up a darkroom and have been on the lookout for an enlarger for a while now, I want to develop and print 35mm and maybe medium format in the near future but that's not a priority right now<br />I have the chance to purchase a meopta opemus 6 for 200usd (shipping included), its in great condition. From what I have read its a sturdy enlarger, good workhorse. <br />I also recently came across a leica focomat 1c in the same price range, but it has no filter drawer, and I'll need to buy a lens for it as well.<br />I don't know much about other makes, I am just starting out and wanted some advice on which enlarger to go for, keeping in mind shipping which doubles the cost in most cases.<br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Could be a good deal with shipping. The Meopta is a fine enlarger, it features a modular head. Most were sold with the condenser head. Here are pictures:<br>

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Opemus+6&id=E82BD2779F4AC6C3806D9CAA9C3ECF499B07B58E&FORM=IQFRBA#a<br>

and instructions:<br>

http://www.scribd.com/doc/91974232/Meopta-Opemus-6-enlarger<br>

The color or VC (Meograde) heads are an advantage for color and VC b+w respectively. The neg carrier either has 2 glasses (universal, good flatness, potentially more problems with dust) or 2 clip-in glassless mounts (obviously the two most useful sizes are 6x6 and 35mm).<br>

In short - a good price shipped, you might do better if you can find one close enough to pick up yourself, and if the one you buy has the head and carriers you like (and lenses), this will save you time and money! The enlarger has the usual Meopta "built like a tank" feel. I have a Meopta Magnifax 4 in my darkroom but also have an Opemus, which I used to carry about in my car and use for live printing demonstrations - always good to use, solid, no problems.<br>

PS: The only downside to the color/VC heads is that they have mixing chambers made of white styrofoam. After a LOT of use, these can yellow a little. If you buy an enlarger with a color/VC head, buy a spare mixing chamber when you have a chance.</p>

<p>I have a Meopta Magnifax 4a, the top of the Meopta range and I settled on this after many years of using a wide range of enlargers. I have also used the Opemus 6 in colleges, where it proved itself a robust, workmanlike enlarger.</p>

<p>I have the Meopta 6a version, have added the optional flexible connector with a small wheel at the end which allows adjustment of the focus from the focussing plane whilst peering closely at the sharpness of the projected image.</p>

<p>This are good&usable small, lightweight enlargers. I have restored two units, and use one of them; I also have loads of accessories.<br /> There are different versions under the name "Opemus 6". Differences are in the filter drawer, focusing unit, film holders... anyway, all of them are usable, of a "reasonable" quality, easy to use.<br />For sure I`d get a condenser unit with filter drawer, the easiest to keep working. Non-drawer units will work too, with an under-the-lens filter holder.<br /> Given the size, weight and simplicity of this enlargers, alignment is not so difficult. There are no issues with the lens and film holder planes, but the base could need to be shimmed. Just use fold paper or plastic pieces between the foot and the base.<br /> Maybe the weakest point of the enlarger is the thin column and small baseboard, not a problem at all. Just extend some kind of arm from the top of the column to the wall, in order to keep the column steady, and change the base to a wider, heavier chipboard one if needed. In the other side, this make the enlarger small and lightweight, something that could be equally interesting.<br /> Price seem right for a like-new, complete, condenser unit, shipping included. This are very popular cheap enlargers, so common in europe, plenty of them in the second hand market.<br /> Feel free to ask whatever you want about about it, I have disassembled and tested every single part of this enlarger.</p>

<p>Good enlarger. I use mine for more than 20 years now. Did try some others but still stick to mine. I would only upgrade to a Magnifax 4, if I got one for a reasonable price. I mainly use it with the color head 3.<br>

Living in germany, where you get them for cheap on ebay, I think the price is too high, but I can't tell about your part of the world.</p>