I picked up a little Minox 35GT for ~$20 almost 3 weeks ago and have been running Tri-X through it like nobody's business. These grainy/contrasty negs just beg to be printed on some glossy paper, but the Omega D5XL is in storage because there's no room to use it in. What I am looking for is a 35mm (and 2 1/4 would be nice, too, but not at all a requirement) enlarger that's easily picked up and moved into the bathroom to print with. Any suggestions? This is a small budget item (and most of the budget is going towards paper), but I don't think that will be a problem with today's darkroom market. The biggest requirement is something that easily stays in alignment. I have heard good things about the Durst and Meopta line of enlargers in this regards.
My friend gets good results with a Durst F60. I think they are under $50 on ebay. Very compact and light. She has gotten good 11x14 prints from 35mm. Jon
Another good choice would be an old Leitz Valoy. With a good lens and skill, these can produce stunning prints. The quality of light coming through the single condenser system is beautiful. They do not go out of alignment either.
I got some excellent results with an Omega B-600 (until I replaced it with a Beseler 23C !!!). It was extremely light and easy to move around. It was really easy to align and stayed there. They are all over the place and dirt cheap. Kent
I second a Leitz Valoy. Also an Omega B22. Be sure to budget for a good lens. The El-Nikkor 50/2.8 is excellent for the price and should be readily available used.
I am quite pleased with my Omega C700. This is a newer version to the B600. It is fairly easy to move around.
I have seen several Leitz Valoy (not the autofocus) at Classic Camera here in Phoenix for under a $100. I think they sell on line as well. If I can recall web site is Ritzcam.com.
Before I got my Omega 4x5 enlarger, I used a Durst M600 (35mm and 120/220) for several years. They're well built, and convenient to take down and setup. The M600 negative carrier has built-in masking blades - a nice feature for a small enlarger. I've seen then available at auction fairly frequently.
I heartily add my vote for the Leitz Valoy or Valoy II. Alignment will not be an issue. Make sure you get one with a negative carrier and a clean condenser. I have a Valoy II which with an El Nikkor 63mm f/2.8 is a great enlarger for 35mm.
Paul, I just checked out the website and they have one that looks in great condition for $99, but it doesn't appear to have a neg carrier with it. I currently have my eye on a complete Valoy and a couple of complete Durst 601's on ebay at the moment. Time for some web searching to see if I can come up with a neg carrier for the Valoy.
Be sure you can locate a negative carrier for the Valoy before buying one. They could be hard to find. Also, see if the enlarger comes with an Anti-Newton ring glass disc for the condenser. You can get by without one but it simplifies things if you have one.
Jeremy, I'll have a Bessler Cadet II in my car that's yours for free if you want it. The bulb works, it's got a 50mm lens, 35mm carrier and just needs to have the head assembly screwed on the column and it needs to be cleaned off. It's the enlarger from Dianna and my first darkroom. On our first anniversary, we made the guest bath of our new house a darkroom as our present to each other. This enlarger worked just great on the counter of a one-sink lav. I'm pretty sure it'll do 8x10 from 35mm. I'll probably be giving you a shout about it before you read this -- toward the end of your lunch break. -KwM-
Kevin has passed on his 35mm Beseler to me so that I can get my feet wet, but Classic Camera responded quickly to my email and they have a Leitz Valoy with Leitz 50mm lens and negative carrier for $129.99 shipped to my door--not sure what the going rate is for these enlargers, is this a good deal? I have another email into them asking about the anti-newton glass on the condensor. In other news I also have 200 8x10 sheets of Forte VC FB coming to me
