Choosing an enlarger - novice questions

[traveler_101]

M301
Lens board:

If you only print 35mm, you just need to get a NEPLA or NEDOPLA lens board for a 50mm lens. Hopefully the enlarger will have it, and hopefully it will be threaded for a 39mm lens (39mm lens thread is the currently more common size). Ask the seller.​

Negative mask

Also negative mask, you will want the NEDMA 35, 35mm mask. Same, ask the seller.​

I don't know what the Color Filter version is, unless it has a dichroic color head, where you dial in the color filtration.

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Sorry but I'm reading a French M301 manual, and I don't read French, so there is limited stuff that I can tell you.
You should be able to get parts easier in Europe than in the US. But Durst is out of the enlarger business, so parts will be on the secondary market or old stock in someones back room. So you want the Durst as complete as possible, to minimize hunting for parts.

More info

Baseboard 14x14 inches.
CLS 35 color head (if this is what you have)

US version takes a GE EKP 30v bulb. I don't know what bulb the 220 version takes, maybe the same.​

14 x 14 is good. The Durst comes with a 50mm lens. I won't be able to check on many of these requirements. Mask - is that the negative holder? Here is a link to the seller's ad (in Norwegian, but there is little description anyway): https://www.finn.no/bap/forsale/ad.html?finnkode=116201263&ref=conversation&fks=116201263

 

[John51]

Does anyone have a Durst 301 who can tell me about its size and also about availability of parts?

They're fairly common in the UK, iirc, it was Dursts entry level enlarger.

Had a quick look and there's currently 6 on ebay. Sold listings show prices from £35 to £50 including (UK) postage. If ever you need a specific part and can't find it locally, you could contact a UK seller and ask them to ship only the bits you want.

 

[ac12]

OK, it is a condenser head, NOT a color head.
The "color filter" is the text on a sliding door to a tray where you would put the filters.
You can get the Illford multi-contrast filters and cut them to fit the tray.

From a short research, the lens appears to be one with a 25mm thread mount.
It is probably a decent lens. But at some point, I would upgrade to a better quality 50mm f/2.8 lens with a 39mm mount, which would also require the 39mm lens board.

Since the lens is 50mm, I would guess that it would have the 35mm mask in the enlarger.

 

[traveler_101]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice. I bought the Durst because considerations of size are paramount. It is very compact, fits on my narrow table and is easy to store. I paid £45 / €52 / $65 for it but had to pick it up which involved some tolls.
I believe that the tray for filters is missing; in any case all I see there is an empty space. Lens is 50mm/3.5. Will take some photos over the weekend and post.

 

[Billyjim]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice. I bought the Durst because considerations of size are paramount. It is very compact, fits on my narrow table and is easy to store. I paid £45 / €52 / $65 for it but had to pick it up which involved some tolls.
I believe that the tray for filters is missing; in any case all I see there is an empty space. Lens is 50mm/3.5. Will take some photos over the weekend and post.

There is no tray in the filter drawer; the filters simply sit on the bottom of the cavity. It works fine.

 

[traveler_101]

There is no tray in the filter drawer; the filters simply sit on the bottom of the cavity. It works fine.

Good to know! 7 cm x 7cm filter size. Someone suggested buying Ilford filters and cutting them down to fit the opening. Anyone have a link to places to buy filters?

 

[Trond]

Good to know! 7 cm x 7cm filter size. Someone suggested buying Ilford filters and cutting them down to fit the opening. Anyone have a link to places to buy filters?

Try fotoimport.no: http://shop.fotoimport.no/analoge-f...tstyr/kontrastfilter/ilford-mg-filter-89x89cm

Trond