Inexpensive way to enlarge 4x5

I was wondering what people think is the best inexpensive way to

enlarge a 4x5 negative. I'm planning on getting into large format,

and would like to use 4x5 because it is most economical and easiest

for me. I have come up with 3 possibilities:

 

1) Graphic camera on copy stand with some sort of Graflarger or

homemade back on it.

 

2) 4x5 enlarger - more expensive, but better made.

 

3) 11x14 or 8x10 field camera converted to a horizontal enlarger with

a tungsten light grid somewhat like that which Adams used.

 

I'll eventually think about #3, but was wondering about ideas.

 

Thanks.

1. Forget it

2. Yes

3. See number 1

I kind of like what the late Fred Picker used to be quoted as saying.

"Don't sneak up on the problem"

Bite the bullet, go for 2 unless you are a skilled carpenter. There is no point faffing about with jury-rigged bits of plywood and broomhandles stuck together with gaffer tape and a prayer: trying to keep the negative carrier parallel to the baseboard and the negative evenly illuminated. Old but serviceable enlargers can be had these days, sometimes for silly money if you wait a bit and keep an eye on ebay etc.

 

If you are thinking colour rather than B&W, then possibility #4 becomes: Digital - but that WILL cost you an arm and a leg (and several ribs, at least 3 toes, and your spleen)...

 

Cheers,

I went through the same process, and I'm glad I chose #2. It doesn't have to be too expensive, especially now that lots of folks are dumping their wet darkroom stuff to go digital. Every camera show I've been to in the past two years has featured a 4x5 enlarger for sale with lenses for under $400. I bought my Omega D6 on a popular auction site for $250, and I've put a little more into it since then. I doubt either of your other options would cost much less, and for that money I have a great all-around enlarger for all my film formats. Of course, spend a little more and you'll get even better quality. Go with the enlarger!

Jason, look for an Omega D-2 or D-II. Under $100 bare bones, over $100 with all the goodies(a better deal!) Score the best deal you can on a lens at the e-auction place or better yet, get a barrel lens and you'll be in business. Upgrade the lens when you can(if you get a barel lens, you might be able to have it fitted in front of an Ilex, or Packard and use it on your camera to boot! I bought a D-II for $70 with the condensers, a lens cone added another $20, a 135mm enlargeing ektanon for another $20, and a negative carrier for $20. Its way easier if you can find one with all the stuff---so far I've got about as much invested in it as a graflarger in good condition would cost(without the camera, which would also require a graflock back in order to use the graflarger) and much less than a hull of an old 8x10 would go for before all the work and money you'd need to turn it into an enlarger. An even cheaper route would be to find an old 5x7 Elwood and make a 4x5 mask. I've seen them go for $20 on *b*y, but the shipping would probably cost as much as my D-II. Good luck!

On option #3, it becomes more viable comparing the cost of an 8x10 (or larger) enlarger to a home-made one. The 4x5 is much cheaper, thus you seldom hear of a 4x5 home-made enlarger.

A Graflarger back does work, and it means you'll have an enlarger with all the movements of your view camera. I use one because I don't really have room for a 4x5" enlarger, though I have a fairly compact enlarger for small and medium format.

The cheapest is to buy a good enlarger. There are not expensive ones, complete (LPL or used omegas, beseler, etc.)

 

If you go for the first or third possibility, you will spend for the graphic, the camera, the light source and other materials and then you will go to buy a new enlarger... it's worth to spend in a working one.

 

Good luck,

4) contact printing. This was the method of choice of Edward Weston. If you are serious about learning 4x5, this will allow you to put your resources into film, actually making images and learning the process. It isn't the glamour choice. However, by the time you eventually get an enlarger you will have a leg up on the hardest part of printing--(quoting Fred Picker again,) finding a decent negative to print.

 

I actually did this when I started with 4x5. My enlarger was too small for 4x5. I also burned my bridges behind me and sold my Pentax 6x7 to force myself to learn 4x5.

I second the suggestion for contact printing. Since you are not into large format yet, you might consider getting a larger camera, say 5x7 or 8x10 and do contact printing. Contact printing can produce the very best results possible, assuming you want to do b&w, and allows you to explore alternate processes.

The only reason why I considered #3 is because I am a fairly skilled carpenter, and though my shop is not in use (dismantled due to darkroom on other side of basement) I have access to a very good modelling shop, which could easily handle the enlarger. That was more of a thought that it can "live" at my parents' house until I get out of college, and then come with me for the rest of my photographic life.

 

Good news - a miracle, actually. I just got an e-mail from a gentleman in south jersey, right near my marina, actually, who has a D2 with three heads, lenses, etc. ready to run. About $400, I think I'll get it.

hi jason:

 

if you decide to get a graflarger back, contact aristo --- they will be happy to

put the new phosphor in it for you and make sure the heater is working to

spec.

 

a used omega d2 is a great machine. if you get one you won't regret it :)

 

good luck

I do have a Graflarger back that I never use but you will still need an enlarging lens. Using a standard lens may not give the best quality. If you have the space for a dedicated darkroom you may want to keep your eye out for a good Omega enlarger. Sometimes you can pick an entire package up very cheaply at an auction.

A $400 Epson 3200 scanner

If you've got room for the D2, go for it. I only use a Graflarger because of space considerations in my Manhattan apartment, and I tend to shoot 4x5" only when it's inconvenient to use a larger camera, from which I could produce contact prints.

Buy a used 4x5 enlarger. The market is now flooded with and you can get a really nice one inexpensively. Professional labs are closing down and selling their equipment as are many people with home darkrooms who are switching to digital. Supply and demand is on your side. This is perhaps the best time to buy darkroom equipment that I have ever seen. As a matter of fact, I just stopped in here when a Google search brought me here because I wanted to get more information on piece of darkroom equipment that is on eBay. I don't want to mention what the piece of equipment is because I don't want the competition, but this particular item when sold for $4,500 to $5,000 when new and $1000 to $1500 used as little as a year ago. One just sold on eBay several minutes ago for $76.00!!!!

 

Don't jury rig an enlarger. Just buy one.

 

Best of luck.

Save yourself the trouble of building a darkroom and send your b&w negs to me at Labwork-The Black & White Lab to make your prints, then you will have more time to go out and photograph! :-)

216/621-7567 (see our ads in B&W Magazine)