Help Selecting An Enlarger

[scott_killian1]

Thanks in part to comments on this board, I recently purchased

an Ebony 45S, my first large format camera. Although I have

limited experience with other field cameras, I'm very happy with

this choice and appreciate the detailed feedback from other

Ebony owners which aided me in my purchase. Now I'm

struggling to select an enlarger. I primarily shoot B&W

landscapes and process my negatives in a Jobo CPP-2 drum

and would like to process my own prints. I have a reasonable

amount of darkroom experience, but it has all been 35mm and

120 and always with someone else's equipment. I now want to

purchase my own enlarger. Like my choice of camera and

lenses, I would prefer to make an investment in something that

will last and produce optimal results. Can anyone recommend a

specific brand or model enlarger? Anything to avoid? Anyone

have an opinion on the Omega D5500? Thanks!

[john_hicks___]

If you can go the price, Durst or DeVere.

[henry_a]

I recently got a Saunders LPL 4550 and I really, really like it. Its a great enlarger. Wonderful light quality, the VCCE module works as promised. The whole thing works great. My only considerations were the cooling fan noise which I thought would bother me but it really does not and I did put a little tape over some light leaks. Before this I had various used and borrowed enlargers. Fooling with old enlargers and old cold light heads gave me a pain. I thought I was saving money but I was really wasting time and getting aggravated. The smaller or standard version Saunders is quite compact for a 4X5 enlarger and is suitable for small darkrooms and the price is very reasonable when compared to other new enlargers.

[jeffrey_scott]

I have been using Omega D series enlargers with Ilford Multigrade 500

heads on them for years. The enlarger is okay as long as it is wall

mounted or at least braced at the top; the MG500 head is really a

timesaver and produces excellent results. At this time they are only

available used but is worth considering.

[jeffrey_scott]

I have been using Omega enlargers with Ilford Multigrade 500

heads on them for years. The enlarger is okay as long as it is wall

mounted or at least braced at the top; the MG500 head is really a

timesaver and produces excellent results. At this time they are only

available used but is worth considering.

[skygzr]

I can also recommend a DeVere. There're mechanical marvels. Calling

them "solid" is an understatement. I used to use a Beseler 45M and

there is no comaprison.

 

<p>

 

The down side is that they're expensive, and not especially common.

You can't find loads of accessories on eBay like you can for Beseler

or Omega.

 

<p>

 

If you think you might be at this for a while (like the rest of your

life), don't skimp on the enlarger. It's the second most important

piece of hardware in your darkroom (after your trashcan).

[gary_frost1]

I found a Durst 138 (5X7) a few years ago. (graphic arts business

going digital.) You will see these described as big, costly and just

about ideal. I found mine at a bargain, it comes apart in 5 minutes

to fit in a compact car, It includes the floor-to-table which is

adjustable to within a foot of the floor, rock solid in alignment,

and yes: just about ideal. They can easily be adapted to just about

any light source. A 5x7 is nice for 4X5 to get more even lighting

out to the corners. ....And gave me the nudge to get a 5X7 camera.

[bill_marsh]

Scott,

 

<p>

 

I'm still using the Omega D2v that I bought used in the 1980's. It is built like a tank, and can be found used

quite easily. Don't know about the others mentioned here, but I'm sure they must be good or they would have

been rejected long ago by the pros here in this forum. (Do know that Caponigro uses a Durst 5x7).

 

<p>

 

The nice thing about the D2v is that its cost would be significantly less, without scarificing quality.

 

<p>

 

Hope this helps.

 

<p>

 

Bill

[steve_feldman]

Scott,

 

<p>

 

I had been using a Beseler 23CIILX condenser head for 10-12 years.

Then went into 4x5 and bought a 45MXT Zone VI w/ cold light. After a

short learning curve on the machine my prints (from any format - 35mm

thru 4x5) are dramatically improved.

 

<p>

 

IMHO - cold light and 4x5 B & W is the way to go. But I've never used

other brands of current offerings, so it's just my opinion and my

experience. Some of friends are attached to their dicro heads. Some

prefer condenser. Go figure.

 

<p>

 

Good hunting.

 

<p>

 

-S.

[clayton_tume]

Scott

<p>

I had the use of an Omega D2 for a few years, condensor head....I

hated it for many reasons. When it came time to build my own darkroom

I managed to try out a few different enlargers, Beselers, Dursts, etc

and came to the same conclusion as you....I wanted to make an

investment in the best I could find....something that would last and

produce optimum results.

<p>

I decided for me a De Vere was the solution so I spent a couple of

years hunting for one...I was offered other enlargers at good prices

but I hung out for the De Vere.

<p>

Well I got one, quite cheaply too from a lab that was going digital.

It's a 504 model (4x5), freestanding enlarger with dichroic head.

Unless you see one of these in the flesh you wouldn't believe how

rock solid they are (the 4x5 and 8x10 use the same chassis), how well

built they are, and how easy they are to use. My one has a 30 x 40"

table that drops to the floor with a quick release mechanism, the

focus and head lift adjustments are at the front of the table for

easy access...you don't have to strain your arms trying to focus for

big prints.

<p>

You can see a photo of mine <a

href="http://www.bigshotz.co.nz/projects.html"> here</a>, scroll down

the page a bit.

[bj_rn_nilsson]

I second the opinion about the Durst 138. They can be found rather

cheap these days and they are indeed built like tanks. (But much

easier to drive. :-) They are big, but the 7 feet plus height does

pay off in the fact that you can easily change from a 8X10" print to

a 24X30" in less than a minute.<br>

I have seen ads in Sweden where these machines are for sale at about

$500. (I bought mine some 15 years ago for $1600, including a rare

original Durst coldlight head, but it has certainly payed off the

investment.)<br>

You can find some good info about the Durst 138 series at

<a href="http://www.durst-pro-usa.com">Durst Pro USA</a>.

[bob.]

If you are looking for an enlarger that will fit on a bench without

needing holes cut in the ceiling.... have a look at the Durst

Laborator 1200 (http://www.durst.it/uk/produkte.asp?pid=16&hid=3).

Mine (bought used 580 GBP this year) has the CLS450 dichroic head.

 

<p>

 

Projects to 24x20 onto the baseboard with the head fully extended

(5x4 inch neg & 150mm lens). For larger prints, head swivels 90deg

for wall projection or whole column can be rotated 180deg (4 bolts to

unscrew so a bit fiddly) to project on to floor with weighted

baseboard. One day, I may make a height adjustable baseboard bench

for it...

 

<p>

 

Cheers, and good hunting....

[jnanian]

scott

i have been using an omega d3v enlarger for about 12 years and

really can't say anything bad about it. the enlarger is built like a

tank, and works pretty well. mine was actually a contract

enlarger built for the air force to enlarge aerial film so it has

condensors that are 7" instead of the usual 6 1/2 (?) inch

condensors. for that reason i have trouble finding negative

carriers.

[_____133]

Try <a href="http://www.rkequipment.com">RK Equipment.</a>

[david_grandy5]

I have an Chromega D5 XL with the colour head and it's as good a 4x5

enlarger as you'll

find. In this part of the world you'll find five D series Omega

enlargers for every 4x5

Durst or Besler. Subsequently you'll find more used bits like film

holders available. Add

good glass like Schneider Componon-S lenses or better and you're all

set.

 

<p>

 

Having said that, if I was starting my photography business right

now I'd forget all about

a printing darkroom. Processing your film is still a good idea but

I'd go with an excellent

film scanner. In medium format that would be something like the

Nikon 8000 and

rumour has it that a 4x5 scanner from Nikon with the same specs

isn't far away.

 

<p>

 

Then add either a great inkjet printer or a dye-sub model. Every

day darkroom paper

stock is being discontinued while inkjet paper stocks are being

introduced.

 

<p>

 

I wonder how long companies like Omega will be around or at least

manufacturing parts

for increasingly obsolescent products. Will enlarger bulbs be

available? Probably, but

what's the plan if they aren't?

 

<p>

 

The cost for the digital printing "darkroom" even with a very

expensive scanner will be

less than a darkroom unless you manage to get everything used. Just

price a set of new

print tongs to see how overpriced new darkroom accessories are.

 

<p>

 

Another factor of expense is how much are you paying for that

dedicated room in your

house? You obviously have a computer already and almost certainly a

printer of some

sort. A scanner won't take up much room on top of that but a

darkroom? I assume that

you'll want plumbing and ventilation and you turn a room into

something that will have

one use. If you look at all the expense you'll see how much less

expensive (and safer)

digital is.

[scott_killian1]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not interested in going the digital

route for a variety of reasons. I have a top of the line Mac, am

fluent in PhotoShop, etc... However, LF photography is a hobby

for me and I like the process as much as the result. Unless you

make a living from photography, I also don't believe the

cost/performance ratio of digital is even close to traditional

methods yet, particularly for people shooting LF who want larger

prints. The Nikon 8000 scanner you mention scans only 35mm

and medium format, the 4x5 options out there are few and cost

$6500 and up. As a result, I'm commited to making tradional

prints.

[trevor_crone3]

If you can, go with the DeVere. It took me over 20 years before I was in the position to purchase one. The wait was well worth it. They are built for more then one life time. Pity I wont be here to use it the second time around.

Regards,

[ryan_lombard]

It's already been said, but the 138 Laborator really is great to work

with. I only got one recently and can't say I've ever worked with a

more solid enlarger. Used they go for a decent price these days and

are well worth the investment. Vertical/Horizontal in no time,

smooth operation, and if it turns you on - tilts - enough to make

Scheimpflug jealous.

[bob haight]

I just ordered the Durst Laborator 1200. Highly reccomended over the

competition.