Buying used enlargers - what to check/avoid?

Most mounts, or mounting-rings, for enlarging-lenses are only two or three 'turns' of the thread deep so a small discrepancy in pitch will not cause a problem - especially when normal wear is added in to the equation. Note that lenses for 4x5" will most likely be larger than M39, for example M50 or (more rarely) M42. It will be most practical to have your lenses each on their own mount, to avoid messing about too much when changing formats.

analoguey said:

Thanks for the encouragement Matt - I understand what you mean about not being able to resolve everything with a post online, I will also check with a couple of friends here, or if not find a nearby photo-school (scarce, but still) for advice.
By printing/exposure times within reason - do you mean less than a minute?



Noted. If the Durst, I will probably print out the manual and list so I can check off all the items.
Would it be possible to print on a condenser with just one lens combination itself? or would it mean unnecessary hassle?

Click to expand...

IMHO, a "within reason" printing/exposure time is less than 5 minutes .

In most cases, if you have condensers for the largest format you use, the enlarger will be functional. But for optimal results, the condensers need to match the focal length of the lens.

Interesting. I could have sworn that I saw a Rodenstock catalogue that said M39x1 but maybe I was entirely mistaken. A bit of googling says that EL-Nikkors are 39mm x 26tpi (LTM) too.

M39 is a DIN standard that specifies 1mm or 0.75mm pitch, but that doesn't mean that any camera manufacturers (except the Russians?) folllow it...


Anyway, the fact that they say "Leica mount" is still the right answer if you are considering buying the enlarger.

Whats a DIN standard?

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analoguey said:

Whats a DIN standard?

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Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Institut_für_Normung

Okay,

I got a look at the Half-plate / Cabinet size enlarger today.

It comes with the following:

Half-plate negative holder, Big (SS?) metal ones. Condenser for half-plate, And a working bulb. Also a Schneider 185mm lens which needs CLA (aperture ring is stuck). Plus a sturdy column and large baseboard (24" x32").

The Pros I can see so far:

1. 
   [*=1]The enlarger works, the lens projects a 12"x16" image easy, quite clearly.
   [*=1]The enlarger movement is Okay - but movement works with a little bit of hesitation and spring counter-balance seems to hold.
   [*=1]Large baseboard.
   [*=1]Most things look okay, including the wiring - I there seemed to be hints of rust, but only the counterbalance
   [*=1] Very, very simple to operate.
   [*=1]Smaller than I thought it would be (barring lamp-housing/condenser head - about 2x RB67).

The cons I see:

1. 
   [*=1]Stuck lens. (aperture) + Lots of dust and possibly some fungus too.
   [*=1]The Counterbalance blades/strips look rusted
   [*=1]When the negative holder is inserted, there is abt 2-3mm of play on one side of the housing - and this does impact how sharp the magnification is on that side.
   [*=1]No chance of fine-focusing.
   [*=1] The price being asked Rs 12K (approx 200USD/160Euros)
   [*=1]I need to get another enlarger + Lens for my 35mm/6x7 work.
   [*=1]Probably need to buy another enlarger lens as well.
   [*=1]No space for any filters/filter holders.
   [*=1]Only BW

I haven't tested it for electric leakage, will check it the next time I visit (he has a 6x7 Durst he says is on the way).

The cons that is holding me back from saying yes are #5, the price (half that price, cons would have become "project"), #2 counterbalance blades looking rusted.
#6,7 - needing to buy new enlarger/lenses - I might do that anyways and #3 the negative holder play look to be things I could overcome with some taping on one side? Or by clamping.

What do you think - on the cons, especially the counter-balance/-ve holder/lens/price?