Condenser vs Diffuser

[Nicholas Lindan]

Beseler & Leitz condenser heads.

Note that the common 'condenser' enlargers as Durst, Beseler, Omega & Co. with their use of large opal bulbs are really semi-diffuse.

 

[Kirk Keyes]

Saunders 4500 color head for 4x5 and Beselar 67S with color head for 6x7 and 35mm.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Diffuser (LPL C7700MX).

 

[munz6869]

Diffuser (homemade LED array on a Durst CE1000) for mostly 120 and 4x5", 35mm...

Marc!

 

[Soeren]

2 diffussor
Chromega II colorhead on my D3 for 6X9 (rarely) and 4X5" (hopefully a lot )
Durst Autocolor 707 for 6X6 and 6X7
1 condensor
Meopta Axomat 35mm only

One or two have to go though since my Darkroom has become a bit cramp already and I have to make room for a bigger work/wet table/bench and my CPE2+
Best regards

 

[Ian Grant]

Diffuser on Durst M601/M670 for 120 and very occasional 35mm and De Vere 5108 for 6x17, 5x4 & 10x8.

Nicholas Lindan is right in saying that many condenser enlargers are semi-diffuser anyway, the Dusrt M601 with condensers gives similar results to the the same enlarger with it's colour head. There might be half a grade difference but the colour head is far less prone to dust or scratches showing on prints.

Ian

 

[Marcus S]

custom diffusion

Hello,

I am using a Beseler 45, Durst 5x7 Laborator and a small Durst F60.
All conensors. A home made light diffusingscreen is used inside the enlargers when I print portraits or something where the light should be a a touch gentler. It is a simple but effective solution for me.

I work with negs from 35, 120 and 4x5.

Marcus

 

[Fred De Van]

I use both. I have two Durst Modular 70 enlargers. One B&W condenser, and one with the diffusion color head for 35mm-6x7. For larger work I have a Durst L-1200 with the 501 color head.


Fred

 

[David Lingham]

Cold cathode and Dichro heads on a Devere 203, all 35mm.

 

[Roger Bulcock]

Diffuser with a 8x10 De Vere 5108. Formats: 35mm, 6x7, 6x9, 6x17, 4x5 and 8x10.

Roger

 

[hka]

I use both types.
Diffussortypes; LPL 45xx and Durst Pictochrome for 4*5"
Condensortype Durst M805 in combination with a LED Head for 6*6 till 6*9 cm.

 

[Jean Noire]

Cold cathode De Vere 302 diffuser now mainly 35mm.
regards,
John

 

[pcyco]

hallo

i use both

i have a kaiser vp7000 with a kondensor and a colour head.

analog greetings

thomas

 

[Wade D]

Condenser, a recently purchased Beseler 45 MCRX in great shape. I shoot 35, 120 & 4x5.

 

[ooze]

Although I have both a condensor (Focomat IC) and diffuser (Meopta Opemus6 with Meograde head), I prefer the latter...much less spotting and the highlights look better. I do use the condensor if I want to print on fixed grade paper and need the extra contrast.

 

[Willie Jan]

I work on both. (ilford 500, and laborator 1200 condensor)
The condensor came in 4 months ago. At this time I only enlarge with the condensor. Much more crisp images.
I do not have problems with highlights getting to white.
If you properly clean your negs, dust is not a big problem. I work mainly on 6x6 and 4x5.

 

[RH Designs]

Diffuser. 35mm, 6x6, 6x7.

 

[Bill Jamieson]

Diffuser - Meopta Opemus 7 with Meograde head. I went diffuser in 1979 with an Omega 6x6 enlarger with colour head, the chassis of which still serves as a mount for RH Designs nice little paper flasher.

Bill

 

[gary mulder]

diffusor, 4' X 5' combined with high end optics, schneider apo-componon-HM

 

[firecracker]

Condenser, 6x9cm Fuji-LPL model called FD690.

The reason I like the conndenser head is because it's brighter therefore faster to operate.

 

[Trond]

Condenser: Meopta Opemus IIa. 35mm and 6x6.

 

[sim]

Currently an ancient Omega condenser enlarger - lovely and crisp but have to keep negs clean!

 

[glaiben]

Condenser - Philips PCS130/150 for both color and B&W. I also have a diffuser (Philips PCS2000) which I have not used since moving to the condenser (and don't plan to return).

 

[vdoak]

Diffuser - 4x5 6x4.5 35mm

 

[nyoung]

Diffusion- Phillips PCS 130/150 - took out the condensers with the installation of the color head. Piece of diffusion film in the filter drawer. Prints beautifully, color and B&W, 35mm, 6x6.