Condenser vs Diffusion

If you want maximum grain, accutance, and resolution forget about diffusion enlargers. The nearer that you get to a point light source the more you will notice the increase of each of these. I speak from my own personal experience having used everything from a cold light head to a point light source condenser enlarger.

I think you need to have a vision for the final print and use the tool you have to accomplish the objective. The great printers of the past just used what they had available to make their great prints...EC

A condencer will lend itself to getting the seperation in the bottem easier, a diffusion will lend itself to getting better seperation in the highs. I have both. I prefer the diffused colorhead for the ease of use and my negs are keyed to it. Standard developing times are usually for a condencer enlarger at a CI of 4.5. Increase developing times to get a CI of .6 for a diffused light source.