Condenser vs Diffuser

Kirk Keyes

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2004
Messages
3,234
Location
Portland, OR
Format
4x5 Format
Saunders 4500 color head for 4x5 and Beselar 67S with color head for 6x7 and 35mm.
 

Soeren

Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2004
Messages
2,675
Location
Naestved, DK
Format
Multi Format
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

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,262
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
157
Location
British Colu
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
87
Location
Upstate New
Format
Medium Format
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
 

hka

Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
397
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
587
Format
Multi Format
Cold cathode De Vere 302 diffuser now mainly 35mm.
regards,
John
 

pcyco

Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2007
Messages
456
Location
near vienna
Format
Multi Format
hallo

i use both

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

analog greetings

thomas
 

Wade D

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2006
Messages
897
Location
Jamul, CA
Format
Multi Format
Condenser, a recently purchased Beseler 45 MCRX in great shape. I shoot 35, 120 & 4x5.
 

ooze

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
428
Location
Istanbul/Düsseldorf
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
950
Location
Best/The Netherlands
Format
4x5 Format
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.
 

Bill Jamieson

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
17
Location
Stow, Scotti
Format
Med. Format RF
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

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2006
Messages
126
Format
4x5 Format
diffusor, 4' X 5' combined with high end optics, schneider apo-componon-HM
 

firecracker

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
1,950
Location
Japan
Format
35mm
Condenser, 6x9cm Fuji-LPL model called FD690.

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

sim

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Messages
37
Location
Middle of no
Format
35mm
Currently an ancient Omega condenser enlarger - lovely and crisp but have to keep negs clean!
 

glaiben

Member
Joined
May 17, 2008
Messages
74
Location
Kansas City,
Format
Medium Format
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).
 

nyoung

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Messages
388
Format
Medium Format
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.
 
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