35mm Enlargers

[Ara Ghajanian]

I'm starting to plan out the darkroom that I will be building in the fall of this year. I'm thinking of just buying a 35mm enlarger since I don't shoot 120 as much as I used to. Plus I want to save on space and leave room for a second enlarger in the future. Basically, I'd like to easily do 11x14 prints and I'd consider doing some 16x20 if possible. Do any of you have any recommendations for a dedicated 35mm (only) enlarger? While I'm asking, what would you recommend for an enlarger lens?
Thanks in advance,
Ara

 

[Paul Howell]

Lietz.

Paul

 

[Ole]

Except for the Leitz enlargers, all the dedicated 35mm enlargers I have seen have either been very flimsy or at least as large as a 6x6 enlarger.

If you shoot 120 film at all I would recommend that you get a 6x6 enlarger right away. I use my Opemus 6 for 35mm to 6x6, with Anaret-S 50mm and 80mm lenses. Switching is done in seconds, and I have made prints up to 20x30" from 35mm negatives with it (don't really know why someone wanted it, but at least the grain was nice and sharp!).

 

[David Brown]

... Do any of you have any recommendations for a dedicated 35mm (only) enlarger? While I'm asking, what would you recommend for an enlarger lens?
Thanks in advance,
Ara

Don't overlook the Omega B-22. Very sturdy, compact, and reasonable on the used market. If you want to make larger prints, get an "xl" version (taller column). Neg carriers and lens boards, etc are also widely available. And, it'll do 35mm and 120.

Lens: I like EL Nikkors. I use the 63mm f2.8 for 35mm. YMMV.

Cheers

David

 

[eric]

Plus I want to save on space and leave room for a second enlarger in the future. Basically, I'd like to easily do 11x14 prints and I'd consider doing some 16x20 if possible.

Ara,
I'm usually in the same boat.

1 word: Nova
Saves TONS of space. I have a 16x20 trimate with heater. Takes up as much space as a tray. I have it on a Metro wire rack so I can move it around when it is filled up.

I also have a cheapo Nova 8x10 Print pod. Those are the older ones. Do some research first on it cause I got it for $20 bucks and last one I saw go for +100 bucks on ebay!!! crazy!!

I actually bought some Rubbermaid Juice containers, wide enough to put 8" paper down it and I used to use that for a while. Don't laugh, it worked!

Do a search for Ryuji on the web, he's got pix of his 11x14 Nova and darkroom setup. Its a very small space.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I've still got my old Omega B66 in the corner. While it's a 6x6 enlarger it's also pretty small. Remove the baseboard and mount it directly to your counter and it really takes up no room at all.

 

[Dean Williams]

Another vote for the B66. Very sturdy, a fairly small head and common bulb size. Cheap nowadays.

 

[Flotsam]

The head of the B-22 is smaller than most 35mm enlargers that I have seen and it will handle up to 6x6. If you want to print 16x20, then whatever enlarger you choose is going to have to have a footprint large enough to handle that paper size anyway, no matter what the size of the head or column. Might as well get one that will handle any formats that you anticipate using.

 

[Woolliscroft]

I agree with those who say get something capable of medium format too, even if you are not using it much, it won't add much to the cost and it sounds like you will at least have medium format negs and, who knows, you might go back to it. You don't have to buy a long enough lens yet, but it would be a pain to find you have to buy a second enlarger in future.

David.

 

[Lee Shively]

I would consider a B22(XL). I had one years ago and used it mostly for 35mm. It's small with great enlarging capability. Should be cheap on the used market. Be sure you get the supplementary condenser and the lens boards and negative carriers--all are necessary.

For 35mm only, Leitz made outstanding enlargers. Their autofocus models were a joy to use. I have a Valoy I bought used at a garage sale for next to nothing. Again, be sure you get the negative carrier and, if possible, the anti-Newton ring glass cover for the condenser if you buy a Leitz enlarger.

 

[Eric Rose]

The B22/66 are great ones, but I used a C760 for years. Excellent enlarger, color head for split grade printing, or heaven for bid, color printing. Tall column for big prints and I just loved the 3 disks you could put in the light path to cut the intensity by 1,2 or 3 stops. That way if you enlarger lens has a sweet spot for sharpness around F8 you could adjust the light using the disks rather than the f-stop ring. This enlarger will handle negs up to 6x7. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jd callow]

Ara,
I have (or at least was given by a friend to sell) a beseler enlarger with a 6x7 condenser head. It is very small to my eyes. If you are interested I'll take some polaroids of it and let the group determine a fair price (assuming my friend doesn't suddenly decide to want it).

It appears in perfect condition and comes complete with a beseler 50mm lens.

 

[Claire Senft]

There are several different Durst models made for 35mm auto-focus work that can usually be found on Ebay. They are of very high quality and I believe will give Leitz a run for their money.

 

[Ole]

... I just loved the 3 disks you could put in the light path to cut the intensity by 1,2 or 3 stops. That way if you enlarger lens has a sweet spot for sharpness around F8 you could adjust the light using the disks rather than the f-stop ring. ...

The Opemus colour head has 4 wheels, not 3. The fourth one is a neutral density filter, continuously variable over three stops. I use it to tune the light output to give me the exact same intensity regardless of enlargement; I can then make a 8x10" test print and go directly to any other size without changing the exposure!

 

[thefizz]

I agree with what has been said about getting an enlarger for 35mm and Medium Format. I have a Fujimoto enlarger (can't remember model no.) which goes up to 6x7 and has a reversible head, i.e. a condenser and a diffuser. It's very compact and only slightly bigger than my old 35mm enlarger.

Peter

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Except for older Omegas like B22, 35mm dedicated 35mm are junk. The best are Leitz Focomats but they are discontinued and you need to buy from a knowledgeable dealer or a private party with return privledges so you can check it out. No ebay suprises.

I have 2 of the latest 1c models and a V35. Highly recommend them.

 

[Blighty]

Another vote for Durst here! I think a more important factor to consider rather than make, is light source. If you're only doing black and white, I would suggest using a condensor enlarger. Regards, BLIGHTY

 

[Bighead]

I'm not sure what the consensus is among the analog elite. Amongst the young, school crowd, the bessler's were real good for this.. My 23CII, condenser, swaps from 35mm to 120, real fast... Can easily do 11x14 or 16x20, w/o hassle..... I like the model III's with the built in filters too....

 

[Gerald Koch]

I have been using a Saunders/LPL C6700 Dichroic for several years. It is quite compact and produces quality results. Depending on film format I use either a Rodenstock Rodagon or a Schneider Componon lens.

 

[Neal]

Dear Ara,

Consider going all the way to a 4x5 enlarger with a dichroic head. Does not take up much more room, you won't have to worry about a second enlarger, and it will be a good excuse to buy a field camera.

Neal Wydra

 

[pschauss]

If you are in the US I would go for a Beseler 23C. Mine handles 35mm and 6x6 with an 80 mm lens. Changing to a 110mm lens allows me to do 6x9. Used lens boards and negative carriers are easy to find and cheap.

 

[bohica]

Surprised no one mentioned the zomega C700, they're not very large and do a great job, Idid swap my el omega for an el nikkor but really didn't see a lot of difference in 11X14's

 

[jjstafford]

A lot of the messages have not addressed strictly 35mm. My recommendation is the Leitz Valoy which is a completely uncompromised, strictly Leica type 35mm enlarger. It has the same most excellent contruction and condensers as the spendy auto-focuse Leitz enlargers. There was a Valoy designed for extra large enlargement. It had a larger baseboard and longer column, and a special cooling bonnet so that you can use a hotter bulb. I have that Valoy. It's rare.

If you don't have one, and want one, perhaps it is time for me to turn mine over to you. I have left 35mm and now use the Leitz IIa for up to 6xx10cm or the * 4x5 enlarger. Seriously. This particular Valoy is really a rare unit. I have done 16x20 enlargements where you can count the grain. It's the living end of good enLARGERers.

Besides, it's time it went back to Rhode Island.

--
jjs - Living in Minnesota but from Warwick when it was called something else. Long gone now.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hard to beat an offer like that, unless someone comes along with one of the Leitz autofocus enlargers. If you shoot 35mm and have room for two enlargers as you state, a Leitz and a 4x5" enlarger for the bigger stuff is a good combo.

As far as lenses go, the 6 element lenses from the major manufacturers are all good (EL-Nikkor, Schneider Componon-S, Rodagon) and cheap on the used market (under $80). If the Leitz comes with a Leitz enlarging lens, it's a keeper. If you've got a little more to spend and don't have a Leitz enlarging lens, used Apo-Rodagon and Apo-Componon lenses are good deals (around $150-300 lately).