Darkroom enlarger for 6x7 negatives and smaller?

Danlo

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Oct 2, 2006
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Medium Format
Hi everyone!

Im going to build my own darkroom this fall and having problems finding an 6x7 enlarger.. What options are available?

I want to be able to copy both 6x7 and down to 24x36 negatives.. Is there any mult-size enlargers on the second hand market that would fit my needs? I dont have to much money..

I´ve heard that there is different warm and cold light.. I want to copy Tri-x on Ilford Multigrade paper, should I use a cold or warm light enlarger?

Thankyou!
 

chioque

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I am vouching for LPL C7700 enlarger, which I believe, is also marketed by Saunders/Omega, with dichroid head. There's also a version with condenser head, if you prefer that one. Very nice and sturdy machine.

Danio, where exactly are you? I think you should start looking at your local advertisements or classified section here and ebay, especially those that offer local pick-up only. Those things can be had for a song, or even for free, if you look hard or patient enough.
 

fschifano

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Since I don't know where you are, it's difficult to say which machine will serve you best. Here in the US, good used Beseler and Omega 4x5 enlargers are fairly easy to come by at prices that are very low for what you can get. I particularly like the Omega D series enlargers because they are sturdy and simple machines. Beseler machines are just as good IMO, so whichever comes up is fine. If you find one equipped with a dichro color head, so much the better. The yellow and magenta filters can be used in lieu of variable contrast filters.
 

fotch

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Hi Danlo, good luck with building a new darkroom. Not every brand is ready available in different countries. In the USA, the Beseler 23C or better yet, the Beseler 45M is a good bet. For some reasons, lately, the 23C prices have gone up. However, either can be found, sometimes complete with a lot of accessories, for less than $100, again, depending on location. Good Luck.
 

chioque

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I too will put my vote in for LPL 6x7 - have a 6700MX (clour head) and it works an absolute treat.
Even Frankensteined one of the universal neg masks and can do up to 6x9.

Sorry to hijack a bit this thread. Nanette could you show us your 'Frankensteined' neg masks you mentioned.
 

ozphoto

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Adapt Your 6x7 Universal Neg Mask for 6x9 Negs

Ok, sorry for the delay - snowed under with work since I arrived and only just had a chance to photograph the neg mask for you.

  1. Ease the yellow finger guides off the blades carefully, ensuring not to lose the tiny metal springs; :eek:
  2. Remove each blade carefully so that you don't bend them or scratch the glass;
  3. Store in plastic bag somewhere they won't get lost.
  4. You now have a fully functioning 6x9 neg mask for your 6x9 negs (and 6x7 if you put back together.)
 

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zeitguy

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Jul 12, 2010
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Bloomington
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Omega C760 worth considering

I had always used Omega D2s but when I went to put together a darkroom after 40 years prices were climbing or the shipping was outrageous. I wanted a Beseler 23c for medium format, but I was either offered machines trashed in schools or good machines in the $300-500 price range. I found an Omega C760 for $30 at a tent sale, and with a little scrounging on ebay and elsewhere (haggle, because these are not real popular for reasons I will explain) I got a complete set of light diffusers, a condenser head, all the negative carriers from 35 mm to 6x7 glass (which I need for oversize enlargements) extra bulbs and even an Omega Simtron darkroom exposure meter, which is unnecessary but looks way cool in the darkroom with its little lights fogging everything in every direction. I got all of this for under $100 more!

You can use the dichroic color head as a continuous variable contrast filter on Ilford Multigrade paper...and the directions for the enlarger even break out the exact numbers for you. This is nice if you like to tweak your contrast and don't use single grade paper.

Now the bad rep these have gotten is due to the many ways you can adjust the lens board, neg stage, and head...(someone thought adding tilt to the lens board, for example, was a "feature") that are reputed to get out of alignment easily...within one printing session even. I have found that a good pocket level and a little care goes a long way to eliminating this problem. So far. I haven't printed any long runs so far, either...just a few at a time, and calibrate everything in the room before I begin.

The other problem can be the focussing mechanism...actually the head height adjustment, but usually called the focussing gear. In the early versions of this model, which was only made for about 5 years, a kind of plastic was used in the gearing mechanism as I understand it, and after a few years it disentegrated and gummed up the mechanism. You can buy a later model which solved this problem, or get an earlier model with the focus upgraded. You can sort of test this on a unit you are considering by grabbing the skinny knurled knob and just twisting it up and down, then grab the fatter knob, rotate it inward toward you, and try to lift and lower the head manually. If both moves are smooth and fairly effortless, its probably a great machine at this point...if they are very sluggish or don't release properly after a few tries, its more than a problem with lubrication.

The stand base is small for my work, and I haven't solved that exactly. I am not ready to remount it on a table top or wall, but I will get around to it. If you get the xl model it will do 16 x 20 prints on the base with up to a 90 mm enlarging lens and medium format film, and the head does rotate 90 degrees for wall projections.

So there are some things to watch for, but I have actually encountered others who own and use them, and are very happy with them. They are very well designed and made, as far as I am concerned...and the price was right.
 

ic-racer

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The LPL 6x7 light source covers that without falloff?
 

stevebrot

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Apr 19, 2010
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Vancouver US
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35mm
Another vote for the LPL product. I have a 670MXL (badged as Rollei 6x7C XL...go figure...) and can't say enough in favor of the unit. The diffusion light source for the color head is very even and suits my needs perfectly.


Steve
 

jreitsma

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Sep 13, 2009
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Minneapolis,
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Large Format
I'd go with the Beseler 23C--the "Old Blue Beast" has served me well since 1976 (although, I would not advise trying to transport it on a city bus in the middle of January.....).

Later-Joe
 

fschifano

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The Beseler 23C is a bulky machine, but I'd hardly call it a monster. I just picked up a Beseler 45 MX. That thing's big. I had to remove the baseboard to fit it into my VW Passat with the rear seats down. Even then, it was a squeeze.
 
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