Are there any new enlargers still being manufactured and sold?

BSP · Mar 3, 2020

I have been having a blast with my old B/W Meopta Opemus IV the past year ot two.

But I would really like to invest in a more professional model that would also allow bigger enlargements.
My largest negatives are 6x6 and I would love making prints of 16x16".
But also from 35mm prints up to 8x10" or maybe even a step larger

Are there any manufacturers of quality enlargers left out there or is the used-market my only option?
May be there are reputable dealers that offer refurbished models?

Thanks for your help.

Bill
BSP

radiant · Mar 3, 2020

This says it can do medium format: https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/adox-enlarger-for-35mm-and-medium-format.html

This will surely do it: https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/kaiser-vp-9005-system-v-enlarger.html

Tom Kershaw · Mar 3, 2020

De Vere - http://odyssey-sales.co.uk

Kaiser - http://kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/index.asp

Kienzle - http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/home_english/home_english.html

Beseler - https://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/beseler-printmaker-67xl-vc-enlarger-and-50mm-lens-kit/p4126

LPL - https://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/lpl-7700mx-colour-enlarger-jobo-inc-50mm-rokkor-lens/p12752

BSP · Mar 3, 2020

So many?
I would have never thought so as only Leica and Nikon still produce new film camera bodies..
Thanks guys, I have some research to do now.

BSP

Tom Kershaw · Mar 3, 2020

There are several large format camera manufacturers around:

a few examples:

https://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras

http://walkercameras.com

http://www.bommcameras.com

medium format:

https://rolleiflex.us/collections/rolleiflex-hy6-and-hy6-mod2-cameras

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 3, 2020

Although it won't help you, as these are primarily US manufacturers and enlargers are rather massive to ship internationally, both Beseler and Omega are still making/selling new enlargers. I think that Saunders took over the Omega name (or maybe Omega bought out Saunders - don't know) but the enlargers being sold now as Omega are the same design as the Saunders ones previously, and none of the old Omega designs are still available.

Tom Kershaw · Mar 3, 2020

I've not seen the Kienzle enlarger in "real life" but they look very good from the website and a couple of videos that have been posted online.

jimjm · Mar 3, 2020

KHB Photographix in Canada carries new and used enlargers and many spare parts and accessories.

http://www.khbphotografix.com/

Luckless · Mar 3, 2020

Feels like we're glossing over an important pair of questions BSP would need addressed.

- What are the real short comings of their B/W Meopta Opemus IV that are holding them back? - I'm not familiar with that specific model, but for the sake of comparing options it might be a good starting point to look at what it can and can't do with regards to things like changing negative carriers or flipping the column around to project onto a larger base board.

- What models will actually be better/easier to use than their current model? - There isn't much sense in highlighting new gear for them that is barely any different from their current kit.

AgX · Mar 3, 2020

Tom Kershaw said:
De Vere - http://odyssey-sales.co.uk

Kaiser - http://kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/index.asp

Kienzle - http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/home_english/home_english.html

Beseler - https://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/beseler-printmaker-67xl-vc-enlarger-and-50mm-lens-kit/p4126

LPL - https://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/lpl-7700mx-colour-enlarger-jobo-inc-50mm-rokkor-lens/p12752

Dunco - https://www.dunco.de/apparatebau/produkte/vergroesserungen/
(look left under "analog")

Pieter12 · Mar 3, 2020

BSP said:
So many?
I would have never thought so as only Leica and Nikon still produce new film camera bodies..
Thanks guys, I have some research to do now.

BSP

I know it's off-topic, but there are more manufacturers still producing film cameras. Rollei and Hasselblad come to mind, as well as a number of Large Format cameras.

Pieter12 · Mar 3, 2020

I guess I'm wrong about Hasselblad, I thought their V system had a film back. But maybe there's still Kiev.

Tom Kershaw · Mar 3, 2020

Luckless said:
What are the real short comings of their B/W Meopta Opemus IV that are holding them back?

I'm not sure about the Opemus, but I have a Meopta Magnifax 4a which I may press back into service, modified as a copy stand. The construction of these is best described as "rustic" - they are a good product but a De Vere is much smoother to operate.

John Koehrer · Mar 3, 2020

This one uses Rollei and Holga as examples of medium format that suggests that 6X6 would be maximum negative size.

Luis-F-S · Mar 3, 2020

Yes, problem is for the price of an average new enlarger, you can find a Great used enlarger! For instance, I bought a mint DeVere 8x10 enlarger for much less than the cost of a new 4x5 enlarger.

Tom Kershaw · Mar 3, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
I bought a mint DeVere 8x10 enlarger for much less than the cost of a new 4x5 enlarger.

Do you have the 5108? I'm pleased I managed to get my equipment when I did as some of it now seems much more challenging to acquire.

Martin Rickards · Mar 3, 2020

Luckless said:
Feels like we're glossing over an important pair of questions BSP would need addressed.

- What are the real short comings of their B/W Meopta Opemus IV that are holding them back? - I'm not familiar with that specific model, but for the sake of comparing options it might be a good starting point to look at what it can and can't do with regards to things like changing negative carriers or flipping the column around to project onto a larger base board.

- What models will actually be better/easier to use than their current model? - There isn't much sense in highlighting new gear for them that is barely any different from their current kit.

I'm using my Opemus 6 for both 35mm and 6x6.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 4, 2020

Tom Kershaw said:
I've not seen the Kienzle enlarger in "real life" but they look very good from the website and a couple of videos that have been posted online.

I've seen them at Photokina and they looked very professional and robust.

BSP · Mar 4, 2020

Luckless said:
Feels like we're glossing over an important pair of questions BSP would need addressed.

- What are the real short comings of their B/W Meopta Opemus IV that are holding them back? - I'm not familiar with that specific model, but for the sake of comparing options it might be a good starting point to look at what it can and can't do with regards to things like changing negative carriers or flipping the column around to project onto a larger base board.

- What models will actually be better/easier to use than their current model? - There isn't much sense in highlighting new gear for them that is barely any different from their current kit.

Those a two good points. My main "wishes" for a new enlarger are:

1. Bigger enlargements by having a higher column en larger baseboard. Floor projections are not an option due to space constraints in my little darkroom
2. Smoother/easier adjustment of print size / height of the head. My Opemus uses a friction-wheel and the chrome on the rail has rusted away in many places making height adjustment quite a strain.
3. Easier allignment. For smallish prints (under 10x8) I can get reasonable allignment. But the larger I go the more af a chore this is with mixed results. And my column as some play/wobble that I cant seem to get rid of making frequent allignment checking even more necessary.

Not even a brand spanking new Opemus IV would satisfy all three.

BSP · Mar 4, 2020

Pieter12 said:
I know it's off-topic, but there are more manufacturers still producing film cameras. Rollei and Hasselblad come to mind, as well as a number of Large Format cameras.

A nice De Vere 5x4 enlarger to have the option of going large...that would be future proof indeed

BSP · Mar 4, 2020

RalphLambrecht said:
I've seen them at Photokina and they looked very professional and robust.

Thanks Ralph,

I will check them out.
I have a preference for a "locally" manufactured product. And not only because of weight/shipping issues.
Western Europe being my region.

Bill

BSP · Mar 4, 2020

Luis-F-S said:
Yes, problem is for the price of an average new enlarger, you can find a Great used enlarger! For instance, I bought a mint DeVere 8x10 enlarger for much less than the cost of a new 4x5 enlarger.

I must clarify that when I said "new" I really meant "new to me, but at least refurbished and/of in excellent condition"
So a mint, used DeVere 5x4 would probably suit me very well

Bill

Henning Serger · Mar 4, 2020

BSP said:
Thanks Ralph,

I will check them out.
I have a preference for a "locally" manufactured product. And not only because of weight/shipping issues.
Western Europe being my region.

Bill

Hello Bill,
then the German enlarger manufacturers
- Kaiser (excellent price-performance ratio; I am using a Kaiser enlarger for decades now)
- Kienzle (built like tanks; and the owner is also doing custom-made parts, if you have special wishes)
- Dunco
from your "neighbourhood" are probably the best options.

Best regards,
Henning

Tom Kershaw · Mar 4, 2020

Henning Serger said:
- Kaiser (excellent price-performance ratio; I am using a Kaiser enlarger for decades now)

The 9005 model? I've never used a Kaiser but they have good availability in the UK as a new product. I have been looking at an RS1 copy recently but not many are available used.

gorbas · Mar 4, 2020

For BW printing I will always take Meopta Opemus over any model of Beseler or Omega.
If you do mostly 35mm-120 then 4x5 is total overkill. DeVere and Durst are great, Kienzle too.
Did you think about applying some grise-oil and basic tools to fix your existing enlarger?

Are there any new enlargers still being manufactured and sold?

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