Elwood Enlarger

I have the opportunity to pick up a 5x7 Elwood enlarger for $100. I want to print 4x5 negatives (I will probably modify the negative carrier somehow). Is it a good enlarger, what kind of evenness will occur with a 4x5 negative, and is this a good deal? I need to know FAST so please respond quickly if possible.

Erik, I purchased one a few months ago and when I have gotten the

chance I've been getting it ready for 5x7 work. I paid about $250

for mine in pretty good shape, and they run between $200 to $300.

I've heard good things about them as far as a cheap way to enlarge

5x7 negatives. They are build like tanks and seem to last forever.

I think mine is going to work out fine. If the one your'e looking at

is in good shape, $100 bucks is a pretty good deal. I have made a few

test enlargements with mine and I'm satisfied with it. I have a

Beseler for my 4x5 work. It works out great. Hope this helps.

If you can handle it's size, get it. You can always sell it for your

investment and probably more.

 

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Aristo makes cold light heads for these, so you can always go that

route if you choose.

Erik, Like Brett, I too use an old Elwood for 5x7 and a Beseler for

4x5 and smaller. The Elwood is a fine old enlarger that normally uses

a #301 300 watt lamp. These may be hard to find, however there is a

large decorative 150 watt globe bulb is made by Phillips for home use

that will work. This was OK until I found a used 5x7 Aristo at a flea

market. The carrier is normally glass and can be masked for 4x5. You

might be able to make or adapt a glassless carrier for it.

Tony Rustako

Erik: If you have the room for it, I would recommend getting it. The

price if very good. Those ol' Elwoods are practically bulletproof and

give good results. They were designed for and used by professionals.

I think they will be around long after the newer enlargers are taking

up space in the city dump. They make good prints with just the

diffusion head, but they really sing with a cold light head.

 

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Regards,

Erik, I use an Elwood 5x7 for all my 4x5 work. I love it. At 100.00

its a bargain. The glass negative carrier will produce fine results

if you use good quality glass that is designed for this purpose. I

prefer this to the glassless carriers because it keeps my negatives

flat and in place. (I use a Durst 606 with this type of carrier) The

only thing you should be aware of, is that if you are going to make

large prints it helps to stablize the enlarger. At full height it

gets a little un-balanced. Good luck. Steve