Riga enlarger

After twenty years of off and on searching I found a good Riga enlarger. Gave it a try and it works like a charm.

Looks near new, even has the original VEF bulbs in it. The focusing ring has two marks on it for prefocusing the lens. One for the standard 6x9 print and the other for when the postcard base is attached.

At about 21 cm high by 10 cm wide I think it will become the normal enlarger for my Minoxes (Minoxi?) after I find some replacement bulbs for it. The safelight bulb is fairly standard and easily found. The print lamp is not so standard. There is no problem finding the form factor but all the current bulbs are 12 volts and I need a 6 volt.

All in all I am quite happy with it.

VEF Minox enlarger is now working like a charm.

Height normal app. 8”

Height with auxiliary base app. 10 1/4”

Print size normal 2 1/2” X 3 1/2”

Print size with auxiliary base 3.5” X 5”

2 VAC transformer or battery operation

Print lamp BA9s base G-4 1/2 bulb

Safe light flashlight (E10?) screw base T3-1/4 bulb

Focus using red dot or green dot on lens matched to dot on housing. Red dot is for 2 1/2 3 1/2 print and green dot is for 3 1/2 X 5 print.

Original VEF bulbs are 2 volt. Transformer is in excellent condition and works fine. Having old and probably brittle insulation I really don't trust it enough for normal use. 3 volt bulbs with proper base are available but went with 6 volt print and safelight bulbs because of the readily available (flashlight) battery packs and bulbs.

great find. you may want to check the lens focus and adjust to get precise sharpness. why minox stopped the built in safelight is beyond me.

we actually built our own postcard adapter and found it worked really well.

good spot on the battery

I have the later version Minox enlarger. No built-in safe light/filter. Fortunately, I have several bulbs left over from My Dad's collection. Looking on eBay, modern substitutes are very expensive - 5 for $105 + $16 shipping, DR.G.FISCHER bulb substitute,minox enlarger lamp adapter+5 pieces of 6V 30Wbulbs | eBay

I hope mine last a very long time! I do suppose in the long term, nearly $25 each is not so bad for a rare item.

I normally print 3 1/2 X 5 for my album. Reprints can be any size depending on the need. Show us some prints!

great find. you may want to check the lens focus and adjust to get precise sharpness. why minox stopped the built in safelight is beyond me.

we actually built our own postcard adapter and found it worked really well.

good spot on the battery

Checked with a grain focuser and is now perfect. I'm in the process of making the postcard stand. Set the lens on the green dot and raised the enlarger on LEGO blocks and paper shims till the grain was in focus to get measurements. Now we'll see if my handiwork in making the stand approximates minox quality.

When I get my ubuntu problem figured out I'll upload a picture of it.

 

When I get my ubuntu problem figured out I'll upload a picture of it.

I have a Minox enlarger II, with original Dr. Fischer 6v bulb with offset filament

But I seldom use Minox enlarger any more, instead I use a Plustek 8200i film scan with FilmScanUSA Minix film holder

I have a Minox enlarger II, with original Dr. Fischer 6v bulb with offset filament

 

But I seldom use Minox enlarger any more, instead I use a Plustek 8200i film scan with FilmScanUSA Minix film holder

I stay with the darkroom because I enjoy the process. Before this I used the Yashica Autoron. Bluemoon is just up the road from me so if I want digital they'd be the one to do the scanning.