Classic enlargers

[John Bartley]

My classic (and only) enlarger is an Elwood 5x7, complete except for the negative and filter holders (easy to make). I would love to find an 8x10 for the same price I paid ($50) for the smaller one, but I think that's unlikely.

 

[Mike Té]

Cost of a D2

I was reading through my old 1954 edition of "Graphic Graflex Photography" (Morgan and Lester) ("and 18 eminent contributors") and saw an advert on one of the back pages for a new-at-the-time Omega D2. $168.50.

I was given mine for free and immediately set to work refurbishing it. I spent about $400 for stainless bolts, paint, new bellows and a couple of modern lenses. I also needed some other minor accessories.

You can still buy an in-as-new-condition D2 from some sources. KHB Photografix has them for $1380.00. They really are in as-new condition; I've been there and seen them; they absolutely shine.

 

[Christopher Colley]

Another vote for the D-II here.

I got mine for free from a very nice man who offered a D-II, with no lenses but the cone for doing 4x5, flat lensboard.... 4x5 carrier, 4 6x6 carriers and 35mm carrier plus an old, Time-O-Lite 'type P-49' timer and GraLab Model 168 timer, and a bunch of other things.. Very nice of him!

Oh, It came equipped with an aritsto v54 head as well as coming with the original condensor unit with all of the lenses..


I paired it up with a similarly classic looking Vivitar-LU 50mm enlarging lens and Companon-S 80mm,.... I've yet to find a 'real' enlarging lens for 4x5 but using my old Schnieder Symmar 150mm seems to suit me well right now!


I can throw in a side vote for the Elwood 8x10, what a beast that thing is! Ive used one a few times and it is quite the spectacle to need to climb on a step ladder to focus the thing with the big huge battleship like controls..

 

[edz]

I don't think there is such a thing as a "classic enlarger". The predicate "classic" is about "collecting" and few collect enlargers. Among the few enlargers that people collect are:
- MINOX Riga enlarger (a simple bakelite thing for enlarging 8x11 MINOX negatives
to 6 1/2 x 9 cm). They are quite sought after by collectors and seem to fetch in good and complete condition upwards of 1500 EURO(!).
- Leitz Focomat Ic. In Asia they seem to trade for relatively high prices and have found there way into collections.
- Leitz Focomat IIc. Large and heavy there too seem to be a few collectors.
The Leitz/Leica name seems to create some aura and lure some collectors. They are, however, not really collected. I don't suspect my 1940 VUTOO--- special version of the Focomat Ia with tall and very thick (5cm) column and large baseboard which was intended, I imagine, for intellegence (processing negatives collected using Luftwaffe Robot cameras I can image)--- is worth much. Given that the gray Ic and IIc Focomats demand the highest prices I suspect that they are still overwhelmingly traded as enlargers to use--- the Ic are indeed extraordinary enlargers.

Historical amatuer enlargers such as the Praxidos (the first modern autofocus enlarger) of Kamera Werkstätten Guthe & Thorsch Dresden, Ed Liesedang Rajah, etc. etc. are worth nearly nothing. Special professional enlargers were large and are considered liabilities. Nothing "collectable" about old Ferd. Homrich & Sohn, Durst or any of 100s of companies that made professional models... They are as "classic" as any piece of scrap metal in the junkyard. The best enlargers tend to be a bit large to collect. Even the comparatively small Focomats are hardly small enough to put a dozen variations under glass.....

 

[DBP]

Don't forget the Burke and James "Solar" series. Now that I have retired (but kept) my Dad's 1949 Federal (due to lens clarity issues), my Solar 57 does everything I have above 6x6. It's a beautiful brute with pristine red bellows and a wide array of negative carriers (I have 5x7, 4x5, 6x9, 4x6[127], and keep planning to make others.) It even came with a 5x7 test transparency to adjust alignment. Not bad for $50 (+70 shipping). Just wish the ceiling were higher so I could raise it higher without putting it on the floor first.

 

[Charles Webb]

Don't forget the Burke and James "Solar" series. Now that I have retired (but kept) my Dad's 1949 Federal (due to lens clarity issues), my Solar 57 does everything I have above 6x6. .

Question DBP: What kind of bulb are you using in your 5x7 B&J Solar? I have not found a direct replacement available via the internet. If you have any suggestions I would like to hear them. I even tried the "bulbman" and struck out.


Thanks,

Charlie......................

 

[Arthur A]

My hand goes up for the brilliant and well made DeVere enlargers. I use an Autofocus version with an Ilford 500 head and love the combo. Type in a print size and whoosh, there it is to 1/10th mm. Saves the exact setup in one of 200 memories for instant recall. This may sound gimmicky but it really is so quick and convenient.

This particular model (a late model 504 but fully motorised under computer control) was designed by Zac Bogart of ZBE as the predecessor to the best colour enlarger ever, the ZBE Sentinel.

So My faves go My AF Devere, ZBE Sentinel with the amazing Closed Loop Starlite head also the Leitz V35 for small negs. I've never used a Focomat IIc but Im sure it's up there. Id like to try the Durst L1200 and the best Beselers based on the praise they get.

 

[DBP]

Charlie,

It came with a spare, a Sylvania 211 Enlarger Lamp. http://www.atlantalightbulbs.com is listing them for $3.24.

Bruce

 

[Terence Spross]

I have a Vivitar VI enlarger that I picked due to the light box of the dichroic head having a light pipe that the condensor treats as an approximation to a point source. So I have a condensor enlarger for my color work. I understand most color heads are diffuse light sources. I use it for all sorts of work B&W and color.

 

[unregistered]

I guess I'll be the first to mention the Fotar 10x10. What a monster! But it had a crankable base and focusing system, with a 5 point base aligning system too. Great enlarger...if you had the space.

 

[djmarta]

dejur versatil enlarger?

Heyy sorry i interrupt but i weanted to get some info about the dejur versatil enlarger. I aws searching for enlarhgers to make up a lab and this is what they offered me. Qhich format does it use? more than 6x6 is posible? Is a good enlarger ? thanks ...

 

[glbeas]

I think it may do a 6x9, 6x7 for sure. I have one stashed in the basement but no negative holders, etc. Measure the diameter of the condensor and compare it to the diagonal of the format you want to try. The condensor should be a bit bigger than the diagonal. They are tough little enlargers but somewhat hard to keep aligned, and they tend to lean forwards on the mountings and need to be shimmed back to compensate. They will use Beseler neg holders fom the medium format enlargers.

 

[Jim Jones]

My DeJur Versatile Professional is a 4x5 condenser model. I believe I've seen similar DeJur 6x9 enlargers.

 

[Jadedoto]

I have a DII. I love the thing- I got it working with a bulb and 135 Ektar for $8. There's still a good deal of accessories and extensions available for it too, and parts are cheap.
You're right too, it's a tank. The only problem I have with it is that the friction on the roller sometimes slips, but it's old enough and rusted enough that it doesn't much. Although I should oil it now that I think of it...