Are there any new enlargers still being manufactured and sold?
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Have two actually one with a Dichroic head I bought and a closed loop one that my lab was going to trash. Have it in storage for parts
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
As you’ve discovered there are a number of New ie not previously owned enlargers available at a commensurate new price.
I have the Dichroic head on the 5108 and a MG500 on my 504. Do you know if the closed-loop system is still working?
No idea. Hadn't been used for some 10 years or so before I rescued it, and I don't plan on using it any time soon. Never could figure out the closed loop manual. Like I said, I got it to use as a backup, got it for the spare 115V electrical control box, frame, bellows, carrier, etc.
Never cared for the Ilford heads. Work great when they do, but who fixes them when they don't? At least the DV Dichroic stuff is pretty simple compared to other enlargers. Burned my first bulb the other day, at least I've got a lifetime supply of the ENH bulbs that I use. Have over 140 ELH bulbs, but since they only have a 35 hour life, I try not to use them. By lamping with ENH bulbs, I get 175 hours avg life.
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I suspect I could get the ILFORD heads (more like the power supply and control) fixed here in the UK, but it might rapidly get expensive. I've already swapped around one set of MG500 equipment.
Tom, not sure if I responded to this last month; actually have two 5108's. One with a dichroic head that I bought some 5 years ago and use, and one with a closed-loop head that I got last year-mostly for parts, but it's supposed to be operational, thought it hasn't been used in years. I rescued it when the lab I use was going to throw it away. Also gave away several 504 frames and at least one other 5108 frame. Only one 504 frame went in the dumpster.
Good idea to have the spares available. I'm focused on keeping my 5108 and 504 going strong. The 504 chassis is in almost 'as new' condition, whereas the 5108 could probably do with refurbishing at some point (mostly a tatty baseboard). As far as I'm aware my 504 had very little use before I took ownership in 2010.
Really took it more for the electrical box and the bellows Most other parts are not that likely to break. Not much to go wrong with the 5108 dichroic head. The bulbs and fans are both 120 v. Most everything else is mechanical. Also, if I stored it, at least kept it out of the dumpster! My 5108 looks unused, it was bought new by a commercial photographer that used it to print his own work. I am the second owner. The second 5108 saw commercial work, but since the lab had several 504's, I think it was reserved mostly for 8x10 work. They also used speed carriers which cut down on the wear and tear at the negative stage.
I'll have to look this up. As far as I'm aware my enlarger has standard carrier.
Used them for roll film and possibly up to 4x5. Mine uses the standard book type carrier, have 4 at present.
Lomography and bunch of MF, LF camera makers also do. Intrepid cameras, for example. Disposables are still made by Kodak and reusable ones by Ilford.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Film-Cameras/ci/9812/N/4288586278
Disregard Instax listed as film cameras, it is scam
.
The bits that break are usually fairly simple (plugs, bulb sockets) to replace - along with the occasional melted dichroic filter/ or heat glass. Recently re-did the wiring on the MG500 at work to make it easier to swap out the bulb sockets when they need replaced. The only truly tricky to repair part of the 500 system is the controller - SDS sell the RH controller for the 500, but it works differently to the stock ones. My 504 at home has an MG400 head running on the MG500 controller that was made to support the Focomat 1C MG500 head, which used the same bulbs as the MG400 rather than ELH's - confusing, but it works fine!
Regarding baseboards, try SDS or John Boyce at Odyssey - I recall SDS said they had a few of the bigger ones kicking around. They do have some 5108 heads/ parts - I got some parts for my bench model 5108 project from them.
I'm using the RH Designs control unit on my MG500.
In that case, none of the parts that normally fail in the 500 head/ transformer are particularly complicated to resolve.
I can certainly recommend De Vere for engineering quality, robustness and excellent backup (in the UK). I have a 504 with the twin-lamp 500 W 'colour' head, though used exclusively for B/W now. All parts and service available. Go to the Odyssey de Vere website for reconditioned models. Good luck!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
Meopta enlargers are excellent enlargers. They can not make big mural prints on baseboard is the only weakness I know.
I could compare them with the best line of Leica enlargers- focomat 1c , valoy 2 and focomat 2c and I like them both equally.
And in both the opal lamp could be easy change with led lamps.
I purchased brand new Meopta Axomat 5a some years ago - only enlarger that I purchased not second hand. Great little enlarger, and with 90° head turn - it can easy project on the wall for big prints. I use El Nikkor 50mm f2.8 instead of default lens, all in all great enlarger for 24x36. I do prefer V35 Focomat, but that is a heavy beast, and not easy to manipulate for on wall projections.
I have Meopta Magnifax for medium format as well, great enlarger.
Do no forget the many roll film Pinhole camera makers, out there and doing well, as well as the toy camera makers, such as the Holga, which is used by some as a main camera.
I really need to spend some time sorting out a flicker in my v35. That and the unavailability of proper bulbs has left the enlarger gathering dust in my darkroom. I actually think I get results that are at least as good from my Beseler 23C II (and it does MF too), but it's definitely not as nice to use as the Leica.
I purchased 2 original bulbs some years ago, when my first original bulb died. I have paid (together with shipping from the US and custom) over 100$, so when those 2 are gone (hopefully not soon) - I will swap back to Axomat.
A real shame that the original bulbs are no longer available.
OP
OP
Meanwhile back at the ranch....
I recently picked up a Leica Focomat in very good condition at a price I simply could not refuse. I had to have a replacement for my Opemus quickly as it finally broke down on me. Due to metal fatigue the friction knob assembly for height adjustment just broke away and came off in my hand.
The Leica Focomat is a dream to work with for my 35mm work and is almost everything I could ever want (the autofocus feature really works really well), if only it would do 120 negs...So a second enlarger is in my future...but it has to work as smooth and easy as the Focomat...
I recently picked up a Leica Focomat in very good condition at a price I simply could not refuse. I had to have a replacement for my Opemus quickly as it finally broke down on me. Due to metal fatigue the friction knob assembly for height adjustment just broke away and came off in my hand.
The Leica Focomat is a dream to work with for my 35mm work and is almost everything I could ever want (the autofocus feature really works really well), if only it would do 120 negs...So a second enlarger is in my future...but it has to work as smooth and easy as the Focomat...
In that case - a Focomat IIc (or late IIa) or a Kienzle A67 or A69S - depending on the depth of your pockets (Kienzle also make a huge set of parts/ lens upgrades/ dichroic heads for the Focomats). If AF doesn't matter as much, but ease of operation & general quality of user experience do, then get a DeVere 203 or 504.
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