If its sticky the focus mechanism probably just needs cleaning of old lubricant, re-lubricating and adjusting for pressure/tightness and it'll likely be good as new.
Ok, ok, thanks. Sounds good. I am just going to keep what I have. I love the 45. The 23c has sticky focus, and I heard that is what all are like, because I have another head I got cheap, and it is the same. Maybe I can fabricate a fine focus system for it.
Be careful with the reference to LPL.
LPL are/were distributors. There are older, cheap, "hobby" enlargers out there that you could find under a number of different brand names, including Bogen, Vivitar and LPL. If RobC's experience is with those enlargers, they are/were indeed fairly poor.
The cuurrent LPL enlargers (sold as Saunders/LPL in the US) are significantly more refined.
Haha, but your using the LPL today!! ;-).
The 45 MX II is for sale along with the Color computer head, 4x5 & 35mm chambers, condenser head, the adjus-table stand, a nega flat and a few other pieces.
As a side note, I try and sell in complete kits locally at roughly the same prices I got in order to keep machines alive and encourage analog experimentation, use, and adoption
Most people in the US who are serious about printing or print a lot for enjoyment will eventually end up with a Saunders. That just seems to be the way it is. They are great enlargers. They are also easy to find parts for, not that there are many parts. Durst makes a great enlarger too, but unless you find one with every little piece you want it can be a pain to find the parts you are missing. At least that is what it seems like. I always thought the 1200 was a great enlarger. It is probably a little better than the Saunders 4550, but hard to find in the US.
If you want two enlargers, get one for the second that is a dedicated 35mm enlarger like the Leitz Focomat V35. I would love to own one someday to stick next to my Saunders. What a dream that would be!
There is a lot of dumb luck in finding these things if you can't or don't want to buy a new one. I stumbled over my Saunders a few years ago in a poor ad on Craigslist. Since it was a couple hours drive away, I waited. A couple of weeks later it was still listed so I called. I was the only call they got after a month they said. Unbelievable. I also got a bunch of other things with it (huge Rototrim, Polaroids, meters, Easels) so I got super lucky. And it only cost me $200. Again, it is just dumb luck.
If you are thinking you want to change, then go for it. Life is short.
I have a beseler 45 with colorhead that fits the bill, and is really nice. I have a 23cii with colorhead next to it that does 35mm and 120. I am thinking I have no need for 2 enlargers.
Being that most, not all of this stuff is pretty cheap anymore, what is the best enlarger out there? I have beseler hd and rodenstock lenses.
I am thinking of replacing the 23c with saunders, but they are still pricey. I wonder if it is worth thinking about it.
... They are also easy to find parts for, not that there are many parts. Durst makes a great enlarger too, but unless you find one with every little piece you want it can be a pain to find the parts you are missing. At least that is what it seems like.... .
.................. I've always found the 23C to be clunky and kind of rickety, despite an appearance of sturdiness. But I've never owned one--all the ones I've spent time with were in shared labs, so they were probably abused.
I'd choose (and use) at least a 4x5 enlarger for everything. They're likely to be a lot more seriously built to begin with, and obviously more
versatile, though I don't think I've ever used one of my 8x10 enlargers for anything other than 8x10.
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