Cadet II or Printmaster

tballphoto · Mar 16, 2021

95% of my film is 35mm work, the rest is 120. Im looking for my first enlarger and the ones that I am most able to affrod as factory new are the Cadet II and the Printmaster.

I would need the 120 option, so the Printmaster would be the better option but this question pops up.

The cadet II has a holder for using 35mm slides, the opening is 2x2. Why would it be impossible for me to use that as a holder for a 120 negative and just make my 120 format prints?

Everything I am seeing says the Cadet II has the same lens thread as the Printmaster, so what would stop me from getting a 80mm lens on it?

MattKing · Mar 16, 2021

Welcome to Photrio.
The Cadet II won't evenly illuminate anything (much) larger than the 35mm frame, so if you were able to put a 120 negative into it, you wouldn't be able to get decent results from anything but the centre of the frame.
I never try to discourage buying enlargers new, but used ones are often much better values.
Where in the USA are you? There may be people on Photrio who can help you locate local resources. I have had tremendous success with my local Craigslist. If there is something listed there that you are interested in, most people here would be happy to give you advice on the listing.

tballphoto · Mar 16, 2021

Am in Michigan.

The reason I am looking at new is that ALOT of the enlargers I have been seeing on Ebay are in other states, and although a nearly unused 23c for 300$ is a GREAT bargain, i cant afford to drive to california or new jersey to pick it up.

And I have seen alot of the close up photos on ebay ads of "complete, nearly new, nearly mint condition" that have clear need of serious repair, and I have been waiting 3 days to get a reply from beselar customer service asking to see how they handle replacement parts..

MattKing · Mar 16, 2021

Ebay is not where I would look (except for accessories), because most listings on Ebay require shipping.
Try Craigslist or, I'm told, Facebook marketplace.
I have a reusable search for "enlarger" set up for Craigslist where I live. Here are the results right now:
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=enlarger
If I understand correctly, this will always show the current listings.
I also have a query based search set up for "darkroom".
Beseler responds more quickly to telephone contact.
If you were local, I (and a few of my friends) could easily set you up, because a lot of us have extra enlargers.

tballphoto · Mar 17, 2021

MattKing said:
Ebay is not where I would look (except for accessories), because most listings on Ebay require shipping.
Try Craigslist or, I'm told, Facebook marketplace.
I have a reusable search for "enlarger" set up for Craigslist where I live. Here are the results right now:
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=enlarger
If I understand correctly, this will always show the current listings.
I also have a query based search set up for "darkroom".
Beseler responds more quickly to telephone contact.
If you were local, I (and a few of my friends) could easily set you up, because a lot of us have extra enlargers.

The main reason I have leaned to the factory new option is purely two things. The first being the possible nature of needing new parts and being able to get them. The second is that I have seen "almost mint, complete" enlargers of models still being built today listed for 80% off MSRP that are in the same level of "mint ness and completeness as this vehicle
Rusted out Car stock photo. Image of rust, scrap, scrapyard - 7780326 (dreamstime.com)

360_20091105_002.jpg (600×427) (autospies.com)

And Matt, if you could send me a conversation on here please. I would like to discuss something in private and i cant figure out how to start one, or just dont have that privilege yet.

Rick A · Mar 17, 2021

OP, if you want to do a road trip to southwest Pa. I have an older Beseler 23C that actually is in excellent condition for cheap. I'm sure if I dig through my boxed up darkroom I could even come up with a 50mm lens and a timer.

jvo · Mar 17, 2021

OP, with a little patience you can get a good, working enlarger - for free... they're out there - check craigslist, camera clubs, libraries for photo groups, meetup! you'll find them. there is probably someone on photrio, nearby, that has one to get rid of....

welcome to photrio.

MattKing · Mar 17, 2021

tballphoto said:
And Matt, if you could send me a conversation on here please. I would like to discuss something in private and i cant figure out how to start one, or just don't have that privilege yet.

Check your inbox!

Dusty Negative · Mar 17, 2021

jvo said:
OP, with a little patience you can get a good, working enlarger - for free... they're out there - check craigslist, camera clubs, libraries for photo groups, meetup! you'll find them. there is probably someone on photrio, nearby, that has one to get rid of....

welcome to photrio.

Anecdotal, and happy to be proven wrong, but I am inclined, based on my personal and recent (within last year) experience, to pose that that is becoming dated information. I searched Craigslist in the DC metro area for months in search of a reasonably priced enlarger. Result: slim pickins. And certainly nothing free. Nobody seems to be dumping their clean, working enlargers on the sidewalk anymore as I’ve heard tell. Frankly I don’t blame OP based on what I’ve seen in this area.

The one I finally pulled the trigger on (an Omega B8 with some trays and random things — $350) was pretty enough, but formidably misaligned, and I still haven’t got it right because I’m flying blind and trying to figure it out myself.

The whole thing can be a bit overwhelming when you’re faced with buying a 20, 30, or 50-year old machine you’ve likely never used before and which will very likely be missing *something.* You’re not even sure what to ask. I confirmed with the seller that his/mine handled MF. I failed to ask up to what size, assuming 6x7 was a standard MF size. Alas, this one tops out at 6x6 so as you can imagine I do a fair amount of corner burning.

Anyways - as I say - happy to be proven wrong. If anyone in the DC area would like to gift me their fully functioning 4x5, please PM me.

MattKing · Mar 17, 2021

I was just talking today with a friend whose husband's uncle has had to move into an old age home. The uncle was an astro-photographer, and has an extensive amount of photographic equipment, including multiple enlargers.
The nephew is going to deal with all that.
I bring this up, because it provides an example of the opportunities that are out there.
I have an amazingly capable and fully accessorized enlarger that is surplus for my needs. It is in great shape, and I've owned the core parts of it since I bought it new in the 1970s.
It is currently replaced in my use because it takes a fair amount of space, and I lack for space.
The replacements are much, much younger, have received hard use in a school darkroom, and are also in great shape.
All of which is to say, patience and luck are important.
That being said, if you are new to this, get something that functions, practice, practice and practice, and keep on the lookout.

Dan0001 · Mar 18, 2021

Dusty Negative: The Omega B8 is a great enlarger with sizes 6 X 9 and smaller. For 35mm a third condenser is necessary inserted at the top of the two main condensers. Here is the KHB site with a write up and parts list, some of which are still available that you can get through them or ebay: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/B8.htm

Alignment procedures can be found at this site: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Tech Service Manual - Various.pdf

Dusty Negative · Mar 18, 2021

Dan0001 said:
Dusty Negative: The Omega B8 is a great enlarger with sizes 6 X 9 and smaller. For 35mm a third condenser is necessary inserted at the top of the two main condensers. Here is the KHB site with a write up and parts list, some of which are still available that you can get through them or ebay: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/B8.htm

Alignment procedures can be found at this site: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Tech Service Manual - Various.pdf

That’s excellent — and clearly I got bad info. I’ll check those alignment instructions and see how badly I did. It is a lovely and otherwise functional machine. Great design.

voceumana · Mar 18, 2021

I suggest you take a look at the used refurbished enlargers available at KHB Photografix, especially the Omega B22: http://store.khbphotografix.com/Omega-B-22-Condenser-Enlarger-Refurbished.html

It will be better built and serve you much longer than any of the buget enlargers available new today. KHB can supply spare parts when needed, and they are an extremely reliable seller.

Note that their prices are in Canadian dollars--multiply by 0.80 to get to approximate US dollars. Shipping will be expensive (but again, the prices they quote are Canadian dollars), but the total cost will be affordable. They have some other refurbished enlargers you can consider.

The B22 will handle 35mm and 2-1/4 square, but not larger.

Dan0001 · Mar 18, 2021

See my recent write up on the B22...it has served me well

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/omega-b22-enlarger-observations-and-notes.181222/

voceumana · Mar 18, 2021

Here's a real bargain if you are up for a road trip or they ship: https://appleton.craigslist.org/pho/d/oshkosh-omega-lpl-photo-enlarger/7290371030.html

Current model LPL for $75 that sells new for $3500 new. It is definitely worth a road trip.

MattKing · Mar 18, 2021

voceumana said:
Here's a real bargain if you are up for a road trip or they ship: https://appleton.craigslist.org/pho/d/oshkosh-omega-lpl-photo-enlarger/7290371030.html

Current model LPL for $75 that sells new for $3500 new. It is definitely worth a road trip.

This is the same as my new to me enlarger. It is a very good choice!

gone · Mar 18, 2021

I'm w/ Dusty. I tried eBay, craigslist, offerup, and a lot of other places and can't find anything in the enlarger line that isn't $200 and up, and you're still going to have to pay LOTS for shipping, buy a good lens or lenses for it, maybe a bulb and/or neg carriers, filters. It adds up. Even the budget Beseler B600 models, if you can find them, are selling for way too much money.

Probably the best bet is to phone around to local camera businesses, if any, along w/ galleries that feature photographers. Here in Tucson, covid did a number on these places and they've been closed or out of business for a long time. Same w/ the college labs.

Rock Hopper · Apr 24, 2021

tballphoto said:
Am in Michigan.

The reason I am looking at new is that ALOT of the enlargers I have been seeing on Ebay are in other states, and although a nearly unused 23c for 300$ is a GREAT bargain, i cant afford to drive to california or new jersey to pick it up.

And I have seen alot of the close up photos on ebay ads of "complete, nearly new, nearly mint condition" that have clear need of serious repair, and I have been waiting 3 days to get a reply from beselar customer service asking to see how they handle replacement parts..

Did you find an enlarger? I'm in MI and have a Meopta Opemus6 with a color head. It is set up for 35mm but I also have the 120 light Chamber that will allow up to 6X6. I had a decent 80 mm sense for it too if i can find it

Cadet II or Printmaster

tballphoto

MattKing

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tballphoto

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tballphoto

Rick A

jvo

MattKing

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Dusty Negative

MattKing

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Dan0001

Dusty Negative

voceumana

Dan0001

voceumana

MattKing

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gone

Rock Hopper

Cadet II or Printmaster

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