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Cold light or Condenser?

Ilford VC head, which is basically a dicroic color head, but with only two filters. I used to think I liked the condenser better, but I think I was just being fooled by higher contrast. I have stayed away from cold light becuase of the rumors of variability of the light output. Probably not a problem, but the hot lights work fine for me.
 
Tim: I don't know. Truthfully, I used DUCT TAPE to secure the Aristo to the stage. Can't remember what I did for a permanent solution. Maybe a machine shop could help.

Earl
 
k_jupiter said:
Ok,

I have a 45MCRX with condensor, and I have a D2R Aristo cold light. Now, where do I get an adapter to put the two systems together?

tim in san jose
Click to expand...

Tim, I don't see a D2R in the Artisto site. Here is info on an adapter collar for the Beseler 4X5 P/N BES-CL.

Adapter

--John
 
I've had both, and didn't care for the cold light. You really need a stabilizer, which cuts back on the light output.
I use a Beseler 4X5 MCRX purchased new in 1972 and still in alignment (I've moved it 4 times. I've always followed the directions in the booklet.) Condensers are no problem if you make your negs thin enough. Dean
 
I use a Fuji/LPL enlarger with a condenser head. It's an Omega D series enlarger substitute, basically. And I switch the lens: Nikkor 63mm and Fujinon 50mm, 90mm depending on the quality of the 35mm neg when I print.
 

Phillip: It may not be subjective. If you calibrated your process (exposure/development) while using a condensor enlarger, then the same negs printed with cold light/diffusion might be somewhat less "snappy". When I got my cold light head, I re-tested and re-calibrated. YMMV.

Earl
 
I use a diffusor enlarger (durst ac800) that i aquired this autumn (my first enlarger). The few different types of enlargers I had access to before were also diffusor enlargers. The sharpest prints I've seen was however made on an old Leitz focomat 2c condensor enlarger. Luckily I found out that I can swap my diffusor lightboxes with condensor ones if I want to so I can benefit from both worlds on the same enlarger. I believe many diffusor enlargers have this ability and some condensor enlargers have room for a diffusor-filter.

I am no master printer (yet) but after what I've heard and read these are the main differences:

Condensor: Sharper, "salt and pepper" effect, higher contrast, some highlight details may disappear.

Diffusor: lower contrast (typically a grade less than condensor), dust is often blurred so it's hidden in the print.

The same contrast can be achieved by both but you will have to develop your film accordingly.

Tetenal lists development times for both condensor and diffusor enlargers in their Ultrafin manual.
Beta 0.55 for condensor enlargers
Beta 0.70 for diffusor enlargers

The times in the beta 0.55 column are a lot shorter than the ones for beta 0.70. Agitation also differs. Here is an example:

Ultrafin liquid 1+10 and Agfa APX 100:
beta 0.55: agitation every 3 sec, 4 minutes
beta 0.70: agitation every 1 min, 7 minutes
 
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