Advanced 4x5 Enlarger Recommendations by Model

Hi!

I'm building out a darkroom for printing 35-4x5, and contact printing 8x10. It's pretty unlikely that I'd go larger than 11x14 in print size (were I to do so, I'd probably be inclined to use a large format pigment printer). It will all be for personal use, but I have a fair amount of darkroom experience so I'm looking for something pretty dang decent. I've used Zone VI split printing heads and loved them, as well as various dichro and condenser models. But I've never had to shop for my own enlarger before so I am a bit ignorant about specific models.

At some point I may look into the Heiland split grade system & LED light source.

Most of the 4x5 models I see are dichro, is that just the way it goes? I'm unlikely to ever print RA4 again, even though I do have a jobo for it. I just prefer pigment prints from scans these days when it comes to color.

I'm willing to spend some money, but I'm no rich person. I'm hoping ot keep it under $1k used for an enlarger plus a lens or two to get started.

Can anyone recommend specific models that I should look for? I am in Maine by the way. The stuff that shows up on Craigs List is usually smaller format or really old.

De Vere 504. Really nothing better for what you want to do. Get the bench mount version, no need for a floor standing one for making 11x14's.
I personally prefer the De Vere dichro heads - colour or variable contrast, or the Ilford MG500 head if you don't mind dealing with occasionally cranky 80's/ 90's electronics...

Learning to print BW with a colour head is a lot easier than might be casually assumed - try it, but don't bother with attempting to mix M & Y for constant exposure - it's a waste of time & effort in my experience.

Otherwise, Beseler 45CB7 is nice & solid, Durst L1200 is good & offers a decent choice of illumination types. Kienzle is also worth a look if you want to buy new & have custom options. There are few truly awful 4x5 enlargers out there from the last 30 years, most are at least competent, many excellent.

If you wish to consider new, the LPL 7452 L - you could choose a Variable Contrast head, or a dichroic head, or a straight diffusion head.
KHB is the Canadian distributor and provide lots of info: http://www.khbphotografix.com/LPL/LPL4x5.htm

LPL 4x5 series, well made, a pleasure to use. Check the technical details on the PDF attached. For BW only, the VCCE (variable contrast constant exposure) system is dedicated to the Ilford variable contrast system, just one dial to turn. The dichro module can also do BW and is more common and affordable.

I'd add to the LPL comments that you also have the option to use the plain diffusion unit setup if you don't want/ need onboard filtration - ie if using under lens filtration etc.

As others have said, the ideal machine is an LPL with the VC head, though they are much more common with a color head. I am very fond of mine, and it's much nicer to use than the usual Beselers and Omegas.
If you can find one a Durst makes the LPL look like a toy, but they are not so common.
The only possible downside on the LPL is that it's diffusion only, ether with a plain head with no filtration, or color or VC. Actually the filter part is a module that is interchangeable. But there is no condenser option.

If you want to go for a little drive cross the border to Nova Scotia I have an LPL7452 with a VCCE module I'd give you a good deal on.
Sorry pickup only. And yes it is a nice setup for B&W.

I had a Zone VI Type II enlarger, and did not like it for anything smaller than 4x6--too much of the light was wasted illuminating the metal parts of the negative carrier rather than the negative, so it was hard to compose 35mm and medium format. It had the VC head, which was nice to use. I sold it and got a Saunders LPL 4500II and like it a lot for the smaller formats and for 4x5. It would be my 1st recommendation, but new they are excessively expensive--look for a used one in good condition.

The remote focusing wand is a useful and simple accessory.

In terms of price I would think about a used Omega, D2, 3, 4 or 5, or Bessler 4X5. You can find condenser, color or cold heads. Bessler is nice as it does not use lens cones while the earlier Omega so. I have a D3, had it for close to 40 years and I got it used, getting long in the tooth, still easy to in alignment, the standard column can print up to 11X14 while the XL column can print up to 16X20.

From my own experience the top of the tree is the Durst L1200, the biggest issue is because they are out of production, accessories ( mixing boxes, condensers and carrier masks) can be very challenging to find. They were available with 4 different interchangeable heads, color, B&W, point, and Multigrade

Durst CE1000 this is a good basic enlarger, but due to its age is nerve impossible to get accessories or parts for, if you buy one make sure you get a full set of condensers with it and a set of carrier masks

Next is the Durst 138 5x7 enlarger, you need to make sure that you get a good carrier with it as these are more often or not very worn, and a replacement can cost more than you just paid for the whole enlarger. Bulbs for this enlarger are normally very to get ....I managed to find a led bulb that fits and works like a charm. A color headband a cold light he’d were also available at a price......

De verge 504 ect these are normally very expensive, I think that you can still buy parts for them at a De vere price.....my experience is very limited but if the price is right go for it.

Chromega D series these are good enlargers but built out of sheet metal, not cast alloy like a Durst or a De vere, There were a lot sold so parts a quite available.

My advice is make sure you get as many accessories as possible with your enlarger if you buy used, the best ones are enlargers that have just been removed from production, or a darkroom that is being closed down. This way you are more likely to get all the accessories with it, stay away from junk dealers on selling enlargers as they properly did’nt get the accessories because they don’t know what they are selling.....they only pulled the enlarger out of the skip.

Sometimes you can get very lucky and get one from a school or education body that closed its darkroom and put it all in storage....everything in its original boxes still like new.


Hope this helps a bit

Johnkpap

“At some point I may look into the Heiland split grade system & LED light source“

LPL is a good choice. Got this one on a local auction site for €300 including the split grade controller and a lot of other stuff.
Regards,
Frank

I prefer the Beseler 45VXL. I had options to buy nice LPL 4500 ||s at $300/ea with color heads, but kept the Beseler instead. I think it's better built overall, and many accessories/heads/negative carriers/boards/etc are easily and readily available.

Lotsa response from the EU with european enlargers that aren't common in the US.

Most common here are the Omega, Simmons-LPL and Beseler . Durst is good if it has EVERYTHING you need or it's a search for chicken teeth.

Everything mentioned will fit the bill. I have used 4x5 Beselers for 40 years. NONE of the existing Beseler colorheads are completely reliable. I use the Beseler Universal 45 VC head. I have 2 that work perfectly and 2 that don't. Nothing wrong with simple acetate filters.