Buying my first enlarger - Seattle, WA, USA area

I'm looking around at various shopping forums (FB Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist) looking for my first enlarger. There's a range of options ranging from ancient tiny enlargers to large models from Beseler, Omega, Durst, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I should start simple (just enough to do 35mm and 120) or try to get a big one that can do 4x5 so that I'm covered when I go up to large format.

Many of the ones out there have color heads, which would be nice for RA-4 and VC

Are there any brands or models I should avoid, or prioritize? Any tests that are a good idea to run (beyond just turning it on and seeing if any fans work)?

Any other shopping tips? Right now I will be using a Nova darkroom tent so I probably need to make sure that whatever I buy fits in there

Get whatever is complete/functional, doesn't cost an arm and a leg and fits your workspace. Working order kits are preferred IMO; i.e. an enlarger that comes either with a baseplate, lens(es) for the format(s) you want to use and a timer.

Do you actually shoot 4x5" as it is? If not, then I'd forego the large format enlarger for now until the time comes (if, ever). If so, it's worth considering, but much of the time, this bumps you into a considerably higher price bracket, especially if you also want color.

You mention '120' but for enlargers it really makes a difference whether that ends at 6x6cm or extends to 6x7 or 6x9 (or even 6x12). Many medium format enlargers are limited to 6x6 or 6x7; the ones going up to 6x9 are more rare and 6x12 actually takes a 4x5" enlarger.

As to tests: yes, turn light on/off; if the enlarger comes with a timer, test a few of the times and count the seconds to see if they're plausible - and if the lamp actually switches. Verify that the movements (head up/down, focus) go smoothly. If possible, verify the bellows don't leak light, although this is much less of a problem than on a camera.

Is there any way of avoiding having to work in a darkroom tent and just darken a room, perhaps with panels to fit windows and a curtain that slides across a (closed) door? It's so much nicer to be able to move and do totally out-there things, like breathing and whatnot...

If you are willing to drive a bit up I5, a Beseler 23C like this one would be a decent choice. In our area of the world Beseler 23C series parts and accessories are relatively plentiful on the used market:
https://bellingham.craigslist.org/pho/d/blaine-beseler-23cii-photo-enlarger/7902980179.html
The included lens is truly mediocre, so you would want to look for better ones. They are easy to swap.

I would also recommend to buy from photographers who is getting rid of entire darkroom. So you know that the thing works, and also is complete with negative carriers transformers timers etc. Also it is nice to pick up other stuff in one go, such as grain focuser and trays so you save money.

In my area (SF Bay area), it seems medium format enlargers are most plentiful on the used marketplace. Especially Beseler 23 series, which covers from 35mm up to 6x9. But in general, any Beseler, Omega, LPL/Saunders, Durst in good working condition should be fine.

And if you print multi-grade paper, it is convenient to have multi-grade filter selection built-in. But a filter tray or swing-over holder under the lens are both fine as well.

Things to avoid: cheap consumer enlargers such as Beseler Cadet, or anything that has flimsy frames.

Start with anything available within driving distance.

I started with an old condenser enlarger in the early 1970s. It was better than 'nothing.' But after using it a while, I knew what I wanted in a new enlarger. I actually still have the Minolta enlarger I got new in 1975.

farpointer said:

I'm looking around at various shopping forums (FB Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist) looking for my first enlarger. There's a range of options ranging from ancient tiny enlargers to large models from Beseler, Omega, Durst, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I should start simple (just enough to do 35mm and 120) or try to get a big one that can do 4x5 so that I'm covered when I go up to large format.

Many of the ones out there have color heads, which would be nice for RA-4 and VC

Are there any brands or models I should avoid, or prioritize? Any tests that are a good idea to run (beyond just turning it on and seeing if any fans work)?

Any other shopping tips? Right now I will be using a Nova darkroom tent so I probably need to make sure that whatever I buy fits in there

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I suggest to go for a brand name such as 'Durst and getting one with a color head to manage contrast. It should be able to do 35,mm to 120 negatives. When you get to 4x5 , you can upgrade later. No need to deal with that cost and complexity now.

Look at craiglist or something like that. Look local as people are likely to give you better deal locally as it's very expensive and difficult to ship.

Here in the states you can find 4X5s at very good prices. In terms of size many MF enlargers have the same size baseboard as a 4X5. Omega D2s are very common, well made, but be careful as the enlarge head was offered with a variable condense head and a fixed condenser head. The fixed condenser works fine for 4X5 but is really slow with 35mm. As mentioned a Bessler 23 C and varous Durst which came in 35 to 4X5 formats are well made. Once you decide on a brand and model find the manual on line. Make you the enlarge comes with all the parts. An Omega D2 variable condenser needs set of condensers, a flat lens board for 35mm to 6X7 but needs a lens cone for 6X9 and 4X5. If you get a model with a color head some needs mxing boxs for differnt formats. I have a D3, the auto focues version of the D2, but the rails were removed so it is D2. I have cones for lens from 90 to 162, with a vairable contrast head. It has been my primary enlarger for decades. I use 6X6 ILford VC filters with it, as fast as using the color head on my LP 6700. I have used the D3 for color work with a set of color filters, not as percise as a color head but very workable. I no longer shoot color film no not an issue. If you thinking about doing color work I would spend the money for a enlarger with a color head.

Not cheap, but there is a complete MF color set up in your area on CL.


There is also a Besler 23c with XL chassie with VC head. Not as complete, no timers.

Ralph Beseler, Omega, are much more common in N America than Durst.
I thought i had won the lottery when i found my 5x7" Durst 138.

RalphLambrecht said:

I suggest to go for a brand name such as 'Durst and getting one with a color head to manage contrast. It should be able to do 35,mm to 120 negatives. When you get to 4x5 , you can upgrade later. No need to deal with that cost and complexity now.

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Shopping tips? Always ask if extra lensboards and more importantly.... negative carriers are included.
For my Beseler (45)... I have carriers for 35,645,6x6,6x7,6x8 (custom), 6x9cm and 4x5".
Just for shock value, a Beseler 23C negative carrier at B&H is $175+ & a lensboard is $150......

GregY said:

Ralph Beseler, Omega, are much more common in N America than Durst.
I thought i had won the lottery when i found my 5x7" Durst 138.

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Ironically, Durst - at least the advanced amateur enlargers like the M605 - are actually more common in parts of Canada than they are in the USA.
There were lots of those in people's darkrooms in the Vancouver area.
The Vancouver Sun newspaper's darkrooms were equipped with auto-focus medium format Durst enlargers.
Local availability is really the key to all this.

MattKing said:

Ironically, Durst - at least the advanced amateur enlargers like the M605 - are actually more common in parts of Canada than they are in the USA.
There were lots of those in people's darkrooms in the Vancouver area.
The Vancouver Sun newspaper's darkrooms were equipped with auto-focus medium format Durst enlargers.
Local availability is really the key to all this.

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Cool. It certainly wasn't the case in Montreal & Calgary when i was looking, but you were tripping over Beselers.....

GregY said:

Shopping tips? Always ask if extra lensboards and more importantly.... negative carriers are included.
For my Beseler (45)... I have carriers for 35,645,6x6,6x7,6x8 (custom), 6x9cm and 4x5".
Just for shock value, a Beseler 23C negative carrier at B&H is $175+ & a lensboard is $150......

Click to expand...

I’ve had pretty good luck finding Beseler 45 carriers in various sizes on eBay. It’s also not that hard to fabricate working ones (albeit without the nice hinging). I’d categorize them as just a nice-to-have, certainly not a reason to skip an otherwise good deal.

-NT

ntenny said:

I’ve had pretty good luck finding Beseler 45 carriers in various sizes on eBay. It’s also not that hard to fabricate working ones (albeit without the nice hinging). I’d categorize them as just a nice-to-have, certainly not a reason to skip an otherwise good deal.

-NT

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Of course.....but if you happen across an enlarger with a handful of them......you just scored.

My enlarger was a Beseler 23C with a Nikkor-EL lens (I think 105mm). The setup was great and I made sharp 5x7 prints with it in a closet. From 35mm to 6x9. Scans of the prints revealed it could pick up pretty much all the detail on the negative. The enlarger cost me 50 bucks, the lens a bit more. But this was when prices were around their lowest.

I have a Durst M600 something or other in the closet. I wouldn't use it as a paperweight.

Get a Valoy II, if you can. Stick with 35mm for a while and get a good feeling for it. Omega made some decent small enlargers that use a regular bulb and can handle medium format (6x6) - they're a good option, too.

If you are new to printing I would get something cheap and small with carrier and a lens.

I've used Beseler 4x5 enlargers for decades.

Keep in mind that the Beseler 4x5 (and 23c) colorheads will have issues. 9 times out of 10. I've fixed them, but you need to be careful.

Simple is better.

Where are you going to put the thing? 4x5 Beseler on a stand is the size of a N American refrigerator.

Don_ih said:

I have a Durst M600 something or other in the closet. I wouldn't use it as a paperweight.

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It would be a really inconvenient paperweight Don.
I actually like the Durst M series enlargers - the fit and finish of my current LPL7700 actually reminds me a bit of them.
The naming conventions for the Durst accessories is my only complaint about them.
But speaking generally in relation to the subject of the thread, this highlights the fact that there are enough differences in our preferences that you need to take into account the fact that what may work well for me may not be ideal for you.
I would suggest to @farpointer that you see what you can find locally, and then ask us of our opinion.
To aid you a bit, I'll add your location to the thread title.

I have a Beseler 4x5 Color head I’m selling (South Seattle) will happily make a deal.

My previous darkroom setup was kind of elaborate: I had a 4x5 LPL/Saunders enlarger with color and variable-contrast modules, a Jobo film processor, and I could handle b&w and C41 film processing, and RA4 color prints. That was a great enlarger: Always perfectly aligned, and in fact, there were no user adjustments. But it was a beast to live with in an urban apartment.

If I were to build a Darkroom 2.0 now, I'd scale it back: Only b&w 35 mm enlargements, and no prints larger than 5x7". I can handle color and larger formats digitally, and if for some odd reason I find myself in possession of another large format camera, contact-printing would be a solid option. Did you know that Edward Weston never owned an enlarger? His 5x7" contact prints were magnificent.

And rather than chase down obsolete CCFL or tungsten light sources, how much simpler life would be if I could just use an LED sourced from the hardware store.

The best 35mm, 645, 6x6 enlarger I had was an Omega B22XL (aka B66). It's easy and quick to use. This is odd bit, but once you get the negative into the carrier, you can lift up the condenser housing and see the back of the negative and if there's any dust and blow it off. Small thing but I never had spotting to do.

Bob Merlin said:

The best 35mm, 645, 6x6 enlarger I had was an Omega B22XL (aka B66). It's easy and quick to use. This is odd bit, but once you get the negative into the carrier, you can lift up the condenser housing and see the back of the negative and if there's any dust and blow it off. Small thing but I never had spotting to do.

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These are great enlargers. I have a friend who uses one of these with a dichro colorhead he got for next to nothing..