Are there any 5x7 enlargers than can enlarge 5x8?

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 4, 2016

I've long wanted to try 5x8 (NOT 5x7) but buying an 8x10 enlarger and finding room for it are daunting tasks. Are there any affordable 5x7 enlargers that will (or can easily be made to) enlarge 5x8?

frank · Mar 4, 2016

Wouldn't they be called 5x8 enlargers then?

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 4, 2016

I suppose you're right, Frank, but I can hope and dream, can't I?

LJH · Mar 4, 2016

A Dremel should be able to whip 1/2" from each side of a 5x7 holder, shouldn't it?

frank · Mar 4, 2016

A neg holder can be cut bigger, but the enlarger's throat may cause vignetting in the corners.

scheimfluger_77 · Mar 4, 2016

Peeling 1/2" off each end of the negative stage should be easy too, but like Frank suggests it may cause an issue with the bellows. Depending on the enlarger design there may or may not be enough room to attach a slightly wider bellows. The light source is another consideration.

Sheesh! Now I have to go measure my Zone VI and see what's possible.

DREW WILEY · Mar 4, 2016

Sure. If your enlarger was made by Rubbermaid. Just stretch it. Otherwise, it's called an 8x10 enlarger with a reducing mask.

Luis-F-S · Mar 4, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
Sure. If your enlarger was made by Rubbermaid. Just stretch it. Otherwise, it's called an 8x10 enlarger with a reducing mask.

+1!!

Roger Cole · Mar 4, 2016

I've no idea but - the real advantage of 5x8 is film availability as it is very easily cut down from 8x10 which is far more available in more types than 5x7. You could always just put crop marks on the ground glass 1/2" in from each long end and compose 5x7 and print that part.

I know, some people are congenitally allergic to cropping, and you may well want to try 5x8 more for the more rectangular format but if the reason is film availability that's what I would do if I had 5x7 enlarger and wanted to shoot larger than 4x5.

Of course if I wanted a more rectangular format I'd just compose for 4x7 or whatever but I'm an unrepentant at-will cropper.

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 4, 2016

Thanks, Roger. I'm interested in 5x8 for both reasons... one cut from 8x10... and the longer format.

choiliefan · Mar 5, 2016

ONF, the negative stage on my Zone VI enlarger is just shy of 6X8. Perhaps if you rigged a spacer, you'd clear top-inside of the bellows and be good to go?

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 5, 2016

choiliefan said:
ONF, the negative stage on my Zone VI enlarger is just shy of 6X8. Perhaps if you rigged a spacer, you'd clear top-inside of the bellows and be good to go?

Very interesting... good information. Thank you!!

blindpig · Mar 5, 2016

I agree you could raise the negative carrier stage up a little and you might need to raise the lamp house also for more coverage if your's is a diffusion enlarger.

ic-racer · Mar 5, 2016

There is only a little over 20cm difference in column height between a Durst 5x7 and 8x10 enlarger. With an 8x10 enlarger not only can you do 5x8 you can do 4x10 and 8x10.
If it were me (with a 20cm lower ceiling) I'd cut and shoot 5x8 in the dark and then cut the extra 1" off in daylight after processing.

BobMarvin11225 · Mar 5, 2016

Wouldn't you have to use an 8X10 camera with some sort of reducing back to make the 5 X 8 negatives? What about 5 X 8 film holders? Were any actually available, or would they have to be home made?

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 5, 2016

BobMarvin11225 said:
Wouldn't you have to use an 8X10 camera with some sort of reducing back to make the 5 X 8 negatives? What about 5 X 8 film holders? Were any actually available, or would they have to be home made?

5x8 cameras and DDS are available but they are pricey.

Roger Cole · Mar 5, 2016

Example:

http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/58.html

John Koehrer · Mar 5, 2016

Why not a Beseler 4X5 with the 8X10 conversion head?

Roger Cole · Mar 5, 2016

Scarce as hen's teeth and expensive when you find them. 5x7 enlargers are more common and less expensive. Plus the Beseler was made for one particular lens that is said to be so-so at best, though I think it can be adapted to others.

adelorenzo · Mar 5, 2016

I have an Eastman 5x7 enlarger, huge metal beast. I was able to modify it for whole plate negatives.

scheimfluger_77 · Mar 8, 2016

Ok, in answer to your question ONF, here is what I found last night measuring my Zone VI type II. The opening on the negative stage is exactly 6x8. The diffuser opening on the lamp house inside the rubber gasket is exactly 6-1/4 x 10-1/4. It's been awhile since I fired up the lamp head but I am pretty sure the actual lighted area will cover the 8" easily, if not a spacer like someone else suggested should do the trick. All that remains is making or modifying a negative carrier. It looks like this enlarger will do 5x8 without any modifications to the chassis or lamp house.

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 8, 2016

^^^ Excellent information, folks. Thank you.

choiliefan · Mar 8, 2016

Seems that the Zone VI machine is the way to go.

DREW WILEY · Mar 8, 2016

You can easily add a sizing adapter onto a Durst 138 chassis. I've even got a full 8x10 cold light unit atop one. No problem. Much more solid than that
Beseler gadget, and much more of an industrial machine than Zone VI was, by a country mile or two. Of course, this is a floor mount enlarger. You
could ask Glennview.com what he'd charge to machine an adapter and carrier if you don't want to make one yourself. Or somebody might have an
8x10 tweak already available. I wouldn't poo-poo this option, since L138's are quite common, and sometimes a bargain, esp if you're going to provide
your own light source.

Old-N-Feeble · Feb 26, 2017

I don't know if anyone cares about an update but I found a Zone VI Type 2 enlarger near me and bought it. This one is complete sans any negative carriers or light source. I intend to make a dimmable LED light housing. I already purchased a 6x8" negative carrier. The carrier is a double-thick one piece unit with a rabbet cut on the inner aperture to hold a sheet of optical glass. If I recall correctly, the film is set on the glass with a piece of anti-Newton glass on top. I'll make masks for 4x5, 5x7 and 5x8.

Are there any 5x7 enlargers than can enlarge 5x8?

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