6x7 on Durst M670 Color

[Mike Chalmers]

Hi folks, thanks everyone who joined the discussion about lenses for 6x7 on the M670.

I'm pretty close to finding a lens so my thoughts have gone to lens board / mixing box / negative carrier..

As was discussed, the VEGACOLSET 67 has all of these included - I thought I managed to secure this set from Korea but after placing the order was told they no longer had it.

I'm wondering what I can do if I can't find all the parts and if anyone has any advice. I can likely get a VEGATUB 39 (lens board), although they're not cheap. However, the mixing box (VEGABOX 667) and the negative carrier (SIXMA 67) are a lot harder to come by.

I've seen some users create DIY solutions for negative carriers, which I'm open to trying - but I'm not sure about the mixing box.

Anyone who can offer any advice on sourcing these, or other methods - or anything that will get me printing 6x7 - would be massively appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Mike Chalmers]

Additionally, what would actually happen if I just screwed in a lens (I just got a Rodenstock Rodagon 105mm) without using the VEGATUB 39 (which recesses the lens 33mm, I believe)

And what would happen if I used the VEGABOX 35, which has a smaller diffused light area? I'm guessing this part would give me a properly exposed rectangular blob on the print and the areas around this blob darkened?

 

[gorbas]

Have you been in MrCad store close to Victoria station? I was there a few weeks ago and they had very nice selection of used Durst enlargers. Maybe they have accessories too? For all my Durst enlargers I used AN glass on the top and made my own negative inserts from metal sheet for bottom part

 

[Mike Chalmers]

Have you been in MrCad store close to Victoria station? I was there a few weeks ago and they had very nice selection of used Durst enlargers. Maybe they have accessories too? For all my Durst enlargers I used AN glass on the top and made my own negative inserts from metal sheet for bottom part

Funnily enough, I just discovered MyCad's website today! I will get in touch or pop in when I have a chance.

Yes, I was considering asking my friend who works with metal (jewellery mostly) if she can help me mod a 35mm insert to accomodate 67. Very interested in your AN setup though - as film curling is a concern - where did you get AN glass as I can't seem to find a way to get it easily (and economically).

 

[gorbas]

As for AN glass long time ago I bought spares for Meopta Magnifax 6x9 and using them ever since.
Main thing is to find right metal thickness, then using drill press, dremel and manual files cut them to the size. Make beveled edges on the bottom! You friend can help you for sure!
What I noticed with MrCad - there is no Deal! For my Canadian sense prices are pretty steep! I left store happily without buying anything!

 

[Mike Chalmers]

As for AN glass long time ago I bought spares for Meopta Magnifax 6x9 and using them ever since.

Yeah nice one, I just can't find anything reasonably priced, and not sure how well things would fit so I'll have to do some investigating.

Main thing is to find right metal thickness, then using drill press, dremel and manual files cut them to the size. Make beveled edges on the bottom! You friend can help you for sure!

Yeah I think using a 35mm adapter built for the M670 and enlarging the hole would be the best bet.

What I noticed with MrCad - there is no Deal! For my Canadian sense prices are pretty steep! I left store happily without buying anything!

Yeah I agree. I would love to have the money to be able to support businesses like this as I think they're important in this day and age, as they're dying out - but I need to find cheaper alternatives for the time being.

 

[gorbas]

Magnifax glass inserts were bigger and had to be cut to Durst M800 and M605 size.

Yeah I think using a 35mm adapter built for the M670 and enlarging the hole would be the best bet.

Yes, that is elegant way of doing it. Keep one insert for 35mm and enlarge opening of other insert for 6x7

but I need to find cheaper alternatives for the time being.

Do it yourself! It's fun! Think and work on your skills!

 

[Mike Chalmers]

Magnifax glass inserts were bigger and had to be cut to Durst M800 and M605 size.

I see, good work! I'll keep my eyes peeled but perhaps for the time being there's a solution to this that doesn't involve using AN glass - something that just holds the film in place instead..

Yes, that is elegant way of doing it. Keep one insert for 35mm and enlarge opening of other insert for 6x7

Do it yourself! It's fun! Think and work on your skills!

Yeah that's the plan, thanks Goran!

 

[Mike Chalmers]

So I've got my equipment out and I'm thinking that if I had AN glass that fit, I might not even need the negative insert. I don't know how much it would be doing.

As I've no 6x7 insert or glass, I tested it in the carrier without anything to see how flat it would be held. There's noticeable curving in the middle by 1mm or so. However, another thought I had is if slight pulling pressure was applied to each side somehow, it would keep it flat - see image below

Slight bending without negative holder, glass or pulling:

 

[darkroommike]

Thingiverse has 3D printer files for Durst lens boards and "SIXMA" inserts, n.b. a lot of enlargers used SIXMA/SIVOPAR inserts and the AN glass including the M600, M601, M605, and the M370 (SIXMA inserts are singles to be used on the bottom of the carrier with a glass top insert, SIVOPAR sets are top and bottom insert sets, in some sizes the top and bottom inserts are the same, in other sets the insert for the top of the carrier is slightly larger). Good hunting!

 

[Mike Chalmers]

Thingiverse has 3D printer files for Durst lens boards and "SIXMA" inserts, n.b. a lot of enlargers used SIXMA/SIVOPAR inserts and the AN glass including the M600, M601, M605, and the M370 (SIXMA inserts are singles to be used on the bottom of the carrier with a glass top insert, SIVOPAR sets are top and bottom insert sets, in some sizes the top and bottom inserts are the same, in other sets the insert for the top of the carrier is slightly larger). Good hunting!

Hey Mike,

That's a hell of a tip, thank you!

Yeah I've got Sixma / Sivoma 35 so understand the concept: AN glass has been recommended to me, but I notice a Sivoma 67 was available so I'm definitely keen to try it out, especially if I can get it printed.

Have you any experience in 3D printed parts? I've had an outsider interest for some time but no experience myself.

 

[Mike Chalmers]

So I've found the negative carrier that you commented on a couple of years ago - I've brought it into Tinkercad and seems to be a 6x6 holder an a 6x4.5 holder - however, I belive I'm able to adjust them for my use, so thanks again.

Just need to work out the exact dimensions, which I will base on my SIXMA 35 / SIVOMA 35 and how they each differ from a 35mm frame..

 

[darkroommike]

Hey Mike,

That's a hell of a tip, thank you!

Yeah I've got Sixma / Sivoma 35 so understand the concept: AN glass has been recommended to me, but I notice a Sivoma 67 was available so I'm definitely keen to try it out, especially if I can get it printed.

Have you any experience in 3D printed parts? I've had an outsider interest for some time but no experience myself.

Same here, my idea of "printing" is to go into the darkroom and break out the Multigrade.
We have a local "makers" group with a couple small 3D printers but the dues are $50 per month.
Back in the day I also "modded" carriers for other enlargers (mostly Bogen) so that all that was left were inserts that would fit the carrier.

 

[Mike Chalmers]

Back in the day I also "modded" carriers for other enlargers (mostly Bogen) so that all that was left were inserts that would fit the carrier.

That's really cool, I love DIY combined with my passions! My JOBO CPE-2 has a couple of mods ad it makes me love the unit even more.

So anyway, the inserts that guy made were for 6x6 and 6x4.5 but I managed to make a 6x7 version - specifically for my camera as it seems to produce slightly narrower and taller images, as well as a "blank" version that others can use to cut out the required hole (whether in 3D software, or practically if they're confident..)

Thanks again