6x6 equivalent of V35???

[snaggs]

Its been a long on-going desire of mine to get rid of the computer from my photographic life. I spend so much time of the computer for so many other things, I've just got digital overload!

Anyways, I've been shooting lots of B&W 35mm with my FM3A and getting some hand-printed.. and the result are just stunning compared to a minilab print. I've been doing my own film and are ready to go darkroom.

I'm just about to buy a complete Leica V35 setup cheap.. which from my research would forever sort out my 35mm analog requirements. However, I have always wanted to shoot some 6x6 MF.. and wanted a Rollei..

So with that in mind.. do I just get the V35 and worry about that later.. or do I get a Focomat II or something? What is the V35 equivalent in MF? I don't mind the cost, I'll probably get rid of the large format printer I have.

Realistically.. Ill be printing 5x7, 8x10 and 11x14. I just don't have time for driving out into the bush to do landscapes at the moment.

Daniel.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I'd get a good 4x5 enlarger. Why settle for some thing smaller?

You can get a relatively modern high end 4x5 enlarger for almost nothing today. They will be stable at all the smaller prints sizes or when you want bigger.

If you have the room go big.

 

[resummerfield]

I'd get a good 4x5 enlarger. Why settle for some thing smaller?

I agree with Nick. The Durst L1200 or either of the Beseler 45 enlargers (and probably all the other 4x5 enlargers) will do smaller formats great.

 

[bdial]

11 x 14 is probably about the max you can do from a 35 or some of the smaller MF enlargers without resorting to a short lens. And you'd be at the very limit of it's height, risking vibration problems. Whereas a 4x5 can go to 16 x 20 from 35 easily. But, the size increase of the unit is huge. A good compromise if you never intend to try 4x5, might be a Beseler or Omega 6x7. These are plentiful on e*bay, and sources like craigslist as well. Accessories of all sorts for these are also plentiful in the auction site.

 

[Jerevan]

It's nice to drive a Ferrari I suppose, but a 4x5 enlarger gets pretty big and heavy. It all depends on where you are situated in the world, but if I would do it all over again (on the brink of doing just that, btw...) I'd look for a Durst 605 or 670 with a colour head. A Meopta Opemus 6, if switching multigrade filters manually is okay with you, could be great too. And a nice Rollei TLR to go with that, maybe?

If you think the FM3A is enough for the time being, I'd go with the Focomat V35 and spend the rest of the money on film and paper instead. In the meantime, you can always keep an eye out for a bigger sized enlarger.

 

[jd callow]

L1200 durst

 

[firecracker]

Anything that you can get accessories and replacement parts easily.

 

[snaggs]

Well, I just bought a Tachiara 4x5 Introduction kit from Badger Graphics.. so I guess Durst it is.. ? They're better than a Focomatt II?

Daniel.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

The Focomat IIC is just a beauty...

 

[snaggs]

It seems Durst don't make enlargers any more.. who does?

Daniel.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Do you need new?

Devere at the high end
Beseler
Omega

 

[Bill Mitchell]

In its day, the Focomat IIC was considered the ultimate in MF enlargers, and IMO there hasn't been anything since to dethrown it. It will autofocus 35mm up to 6x9.
I have used a V35 for over 20 years, and am satisfied that it is the best (and easiest to use) there will ever be for 35mm. It's good up to 16x20 on the base.

 

[snaggs]

Do you need new?

Devere at the high end
Beseler
Omega

Just concerned about spares... and now reading threads.. lamps.

Daniel.

 

[firecracker]

Just concerned about spares... and now reading threads.. lamps.

Daniel.

The enlargers that take LPL light bulbs are probably the easiest. LPL is a company that's still making analog photo equipment and accessories, and its products are widely distributed through other dealers with/without being re-named.

But buy an enlarger that is popular in your area first, so you won't get too much of a headache(or a stomachache) all the time worrying about where to buy the spares in the future.

Or check out some off-brand alternatives for the spare bulbs. Just look for the "projector lamps" by any brand, and you might have more options. Toshiba makes some that are usable and much cheaper, but they are not in the same league as GE and other well-known brands.

 

[MMfoto]

The V35 will be the easiest most rewarding 35mm enlarger you ever use. I would say to buy the V35 and use it till the time comes when you FIND a IIc in great shape and then reconsider your options. Also it's kind of an apples and oranges question. The V35 and the IIc have different printing properties, the IIc being a non point source condenser enlarger and the V35 having a color head(not sure how the VC module affects that?). The IIc is more similar to the Ic in that way. Anyways good IIc's are not easy to find and you're already under way 35mm.

I would not let the V35 get away. BTW, a V35 and a great 4X5 enlarger from brand x,y, or z combined should cost less really clean IIc....

If you do decide to buy a 4X5 enlarger and use it for everything do so before you use the V35 or a IIc otherwise you'll never be satisied with anything else! ;-)