Choosing an enlarger - novice questions

traveler_101 · Mar 28, 2018

Reading the sticky thread on temporary and makeshift darkrooms has encouraged me to think about making the leap. I would be setting up in a bathroom. I started developing my own film five or six years ago with advice garnered on the RFF. I had no experience before that. Is it possible to do the same with wet printing or is it too complicated to proceed without any hands-on instruction?

A couple of other questions. I have read that one needs a stable surface for the enlarger. Is that possible by laying the enlarger on a small desk/table, or does it require bolting the enlarger down? (I might need to move the enlarger in and out of the bathroom). Finally what would a good choice for as small enlarger for 35mm b&w development?

AgX · Mar 28, 2018

A stable surface means that it should not be wobbly which might hamper focusing or even exposing due to vibrations.
But Durst made one enlarger that at least looks wobbly in itself "Magico", so one should not get hysteric on stability.

Svenedin · Mar 28, 2018

Some hands on instruction is useful (perhaps there is a photo club or public darkroom?) but not essential as there are many good books with step-by-step instructions. Enlargers can be quite heavy so your table needs to be sturdy. Some people put the enlarger over the bath. Of course be extremely careful about electricity and water. An RCD device to cut of the power if there is a leak to Earth is essential. The Kaiser System V range of enlargers are very good. They are modular so you can adapt your system to larger formats (up to 6x7) in the future if you wish. Kaiser still make these enlargers but they are expensive new. They turn up on eBay etc and are not that expensive. Parts are not a problem as they are still being made. I have two Kaiser System V enlargers. One I bought from a second hand photographic dealer and from eBay for a very reasonable price with an F-stop timer as well.

tedr1 · Mar 28, 2018

If you have already learned film development then enlarging is quite easy. Printing 35mm in a bathroom darkroom is the way I and many people began printing. At first it seems complicated but it is really very simple and easy to learn. The website of Ilford has some introduction www.ilfordphoto.com and there is also a good introduction book that is inexpensive Black and White Photography by Horenstein

https://www.amazon.com/Black-White-...ywords=black+and+white+photography+horenstein

If you are considering a used enlarger it is necessary to confirm by some method that no parts are missing because it may be impossible to find replacements.

Look for an enlarger that takes Ilford Multigrade filters for adjusting paper contrast. The same filters are used with many multigrade papers.

Paul Howell · Mar 28, 2018

In your part of the world I would look for Durst they several models that were only for 35mm but also a 600 series as long as you have the 35mm condenser. The enlarger table should be as sturdy as possible, the trick is making sure the enlarger is in alignment, although there are laser tools a bubble level will do as well.

Hilo · Mar 29, 2018

Leitz Valoy II

Cheap, simple and perfect quality

I agree with Agx about stability. Just sit still during the exposure !

Svenedin · Mar 29, 2018

Incidentally, another potential advantage of a Kaiser System V enlarger is that it is very easily taken apart for storage or to move it. The column is detached from the baseboard by turning one large thumbscrew. It takes less than 30 seconds to separate the column from the base. Likewise, the whole enlarger head can be separated from the column by turning another large thumbscrew. In addition, you have full head and lens stage tilt for Sheimpflug, built in bubble levels to ensure alignment, quick change lens collars, interchangeable condensers (for larger formats), interchangeable heads (for colour or dichroic multigrade), interchangeable baseboards and columns and holders for above or below lens filters. Here is my Kaiser System V showing how it fits in a small darkroom.

paul ron · Mar 29, 2018

get whatever you can to start with. when something better shows up at your door, replace it. youd be surprised what people are dumping these days.

John Koehrer · Mar 29, 2018

In the past I've set an enlarger on a washing machine or dryer, don't bump it after you've focused. A microwave cart works well and
gives some storage below the top shelf I've read a few threads where even a typewriter(remember those?) cart has been used.

Sirius Glass · Mar 29, 2018

Do not bother with a 35mm enlarger. You are in ~~APUG~~ Photrio and you will be dragged into MF and then 4"x5", maybe even larger. You cannot escape it; I tried very hard but I too got sucked in. Just get the most stable 4"x5" enlarger you can find and start from there. Even better get one with a color head so you can use it for black & white and color. Yes, you will be printing in color soon.

cliveh · Mar 29, 2018

Bolted to the wall is better, but if not practical, free standing is good. I would go for a Durst Graduate. Simple and effective.

traveler_101 · Mar 29, 2018

Thanks for your comments thus far. This is what I am thinking. SORRY FOR DUMB QUESTIONS - I DON'T KNOW MUCH AND I AM TRYING TO CONVINCE MYSELF THAT THIS IS DOABLE.

I have a narrow table in the bathroom now that I use when I develop film, but it is wobbly and will have to be replaced. So for the enlarger I am looking at something like an IKEA desk in place of the table. Like the table the desk is narrow and would just fit in between the shower and the toilet. That should be stable with rubber casters to keep it form sliding. If the enlarger is relatively small, I might even be allowed by the lady of the house to leave it on the table (with a plastic cover perhaps). What kind of vertical clearance is need for an enlarger? This is a low ceiling - I don't think it meets the old American standard eight feet.

On the other side of the room, I was thinking of bringing in a folding table for the wet work. There is a sink nearby for rinsing the prints: is that o.k.? There is no bathtub, just a narrow, by American standards, shower stall that I hope not to have to use. The bathroom floor is tiled and like all bathrooms in Scandinavia it has a drain - no problem with spills. The bathroom doubles as the laundry and out has a stacked washer/dryer so there is no way to use the washer to work on.

One small window, which I can block out with a piece of custom cut cardboard; one door with a ventilation crack on the top as well as the clearance on the bottom - I assume I can use towels to block out the light. A small exhaust fan on the outside wall; when on the fan's flaps open and it allows in light - no baffle. I assume I can set a piece of cloth over this, but leave it on when printing.

If all of this seems reasonable, I suppose the first obstacle will be getting an enlarger. It is a hell of a risk for me because someone could sell me a piece of junk or one missing parts etc. and I wouldn't know it until it is too late. So I guess the first step is to get some reading material so I have a better idea how the enlarger works - it is rather vague now.

Svenedin · Mar 29, 2018

Just as an example, my enlarger needs a vertical clearance of 105cm (from the top of the table to the top of the column). Of course enlargers differ widely. The baseboard of my enlarger is 60cm wide by 50cm deep.

Your print washing arrangements will depend on whether you want to use resin-coated (RC) or fibre-based paper. RC paper washes quickly and can be washed by running it under a tap (or washing it in an empty bath using the shower head) for about 1 minute. This is not an ideal washing method but my prints from 30 years ago had this type of wash and have not deteriorated. A better way is a print washer for RC paper such as made by Paterson (http://www.patersonphotographic.com...-speed-print-washers-for-resin-coated-papers/). If you want to use fibre-based paper this needs a much longer wash. I would suggest you start off with RC paper for the convenience of it.

Yes have a read of the basic operations and parts of an enlarger. Even better find someone local who does darkroom work and have a look at their setup. If you find a specific enlarger you could look up the instruction manual so you know all the parts to expect.

Paul Howell · Mar 29, 2018

What I would do is make a list of enlargers available in your part of the world. Google Kiaser, Durst, Leitz Valoy II, and others names that come up, then find the manuals, that will give you an idea of you need for each model. One advantage of Kiaser as pointed out is that they are still in business and parts can be had for current models.

AgX · Mar 29, 2018

paul ron said:
get whatever you can to start with. when something better shows up at your door, replace it. youd be surprised what people are dumping these days.

I advise this way. If you can find locally something not filthy and seemingly complete for 200Kronen or less, get it. And get started.

John51 · Mar 30, 2018

Part of the fun/hassle of getting a darkroom sorted is stalking that auction site. You do need to put the hours in though.

Do a search for enlarger brands you're interested in. Hit 'sold auctions' to learn what other people have paid for similar items. When looking to buy, sort by 'nearest first' as many people won't ship an enlarger and there are bargains to be had.

Not too many worries about a 35mm enlarger being incomplete. If you can see the negative carrier in the pics, it's probably complete although some colour heads, using halogen bulbs, have a separate power supply and some are built in.

If you can't leave your enlarger assembled 24/7, look for one that still has its original box and packing. Not only is it (probably) a sign of little and careful use, you get to pack it away properly after every session.

ac12 · Mar 30, 2018

I use a small half-bath that makes your setup roomy. less than 1M wide by about 2M long
I put a small table over the toilet, I put the enlarger onto that table.
To process, I use an old Honeywell Rocking Print Tray or a color print processing drum on a motorized base. Both of these options take very little counter space. The drum allows you to turn on the white light after you have the paper inside the drum. The rocking print tray is what I would look for. Although it might be hard to find in Europe, as Honeywell was an American importer/distributor, and I don't know where it was made. Drums should be fairly easy to find. Jobo makes/made them, but Jobo stuff can be expensive.
To wash the print, I take it out of the bathroom into the kitchen, since washing can be done in room light.

If you really want to print, you can figure out how to do it in a pretty small space.
You may have to have the table/desk custom built to fit the space, but it can be done. I did it about 3 times, so far.

As for enlargers, I have a Durst and have been happy with it.
But since Durst no longer makes enlargers, you need to find one as complete as possible. Finding missing parts can be frustrating, time consuming and expensive.
I would recommend looking for a M600/605, 6x6 enlarger. This gives you the option of going to 6x6 format later.
But if you get a good deal on a M300 series 35mm enlarger, go for it. It just means you have to replace it later, IF you go to 6x6. If you don't, not a problem.
Going up to 4x5 is a MAJOR jump, and 4x5 enlargers are NOT easy to assemble/disassemble for a temporary darkroom.
My M600 breaks down and stores in a box that can be put on the shelf. But original boxes may be hard to find, unless the seller did like me, and stores the enlarger away between uses, so he needed the box.

Martin Rickards · Mar 30, 2018

Being in Europe, consider also the Meopta Czech brand, either the 35 mm only Axomat or the up to 6x6 Opemus. Both are sturdy and well-engineered although perhaps less sophisticated than the Durst or Kaiser brands.

Luis-F-S · Mar 30, 2018

Hilo said:
Leitz Valoy II

Cheap, simple and perfect quality

I agree with Agx about stability. Just sit still during the exposure !

+1!! Doesn’t get much better or simpler!

traveler_101 · Mar 30, 2018

Thank you very very much everyone for all the useful information - and also the encouragement! It is a difficult situation here - a rather small town house with no basement. Basically the only possible place to work is the first floor bathroom. I see now that some have gotten by with an even smaller space.

Just a few responses in the event any of you are curious - and a question or two more..

Yes, resin-coated paper.

Getting things locally is difficult here. To clarify - I am American, not Norwegian. I read and speak Norwegian; however I find it difficult to find good deals on anything in Norway, but I will try again. Items shipped to Norway are subject to a tariff if they are valued over 400 Kroner ($50) - but getting them from Europe is probably the best best. I am tempted to buy the enlarger in the States and bring it back as luggage - but then we have different voltage systems.

On e-bay I see many examples of the Durst 300 series - looks like the right size. (small); someone mentioned Leitz. Kaiser - o.k. I'll look. I am hoping for small enough that it can remain in the bathroom to minimise the preparatory steps required to get things up and going. Good idea on finding manuals before buying.

Aren't there two types of enlarger head? - is one better than the other? What is this about a colour head? You can use that for b&w - right?

Finally, at this point my goals are very modest. I have built up a small and slowly growing "library" of b&w negatives and would like to print some of them - perhaps to assemble a couple of booklets by theme or put some stuff on the walls. The thought of medium and large format - I don 't think it is going to happen, but you never know. I should have gotten into this back in the late 1970s/early 1980s when I first picked up a manual SLR camera and found I liked photography, but I didn't. have time and money for that then. When the digital revolution came I was instinctively reluctant (though I shoot digital - micro four thirds). I really found it interesting that some people still wanted to shoot film. I got interested in rangefinders and people at RFF convinced that it was possible to develop and scan b&w film. I started buying cameras and lenses - and experimenting with developers. It's fun and (sometimes) rewarding. Now I want to wet print my images. What lies ahead? Who knows? But I am approaching retirement and at that point I might have time enough to expand the hobby.

AgX · Mar 30, 2018

There are basically 4 types of enlarger heads:

1) point-lightsource and condensor (condensor must fit the lens and be adjusted for each and every enlarging scale) (rare)
2) opal lightsource with condensor (classic)
3) point-lightsource with mixing chamber (mostly used for anything needing filtration)
4) format filling diffuse lightsource

avb · Mar 30, 2018

paul ron said:
get whatever you can to start with. when something better shows up at your door, replace it. youd be surprised what people are dumping these days.

+2
More printing; less researching!
I think most of us started with whatever enlarger we got our hands on.

Svenedin · Mar 30, 2018

avb said:
+2
More printing; less researching!
I think most of us started with whatever enlarger we got our hands on.

I agree with that to a point but if the OP is serious about his photography then I think learning on a rubbish enlarger is foolish. Poor equipment will never achieve the best results and then this could become disheartening and misattributed to lack of progress learning printing skills.

Sirius Glass · Mar 30, 2018

John51 said:
Part of the fun/hassle of getting a darkroom sorted is stalking that auction site. You do need to put the hours in though.

Do a search for enlarger brands you're interested in. Hit 'sold auctions' to learn what other people have paid for similar items. When looking to buy, sort by 'nearest first' as many people won't ship an enlarger and there are bargains to be had.

Not too many worries about a 35mm enlarger being incomplete. If you can see the negative carrier in the pics, it's probably complete although some colour heads, using halogen bulbs, have a separate power supply and some are built in.

If you can't leave your enlarger assembled 24/7, look for one that still has its original box and packing. Not only is it (probably) a sign of little and careful use, you get to pack it away properly after every session.

Also learn which brands have a source for parts and accessories. For example I can get those at http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/.

Paul Howell · Mar 30, 2018

Martin Rickards said:
Being in Europe, consider also the Meopta Czech brand, either the 35 mm only Axomat or the up to 6x6 Opemus. Both are sturdy and well-engineered although perhaps less sophisticated than the Durst or Kaiser brands.

I have a Meopta Opemus III, forgot that it was made om Chekhovia. My primary enlarger is a Omega DIII, I use the Ompemus for 35mm and 6X6 up to 11X14. For a midrange enlarger I find that it is well made, easy to use, and the built in rangefinder focus aid works like a charm. Only downsize is that I have only 6X6 condenser, don't know it came with a optional 35mm condenser or not. Also mine came with the storage case so I can easily take it down if I want to swap out for one of my Federals.

Choosing an enlarger - novice questions

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