De Vere 507 colour enlarger

[Tjibbe veeloo]

Anyone using this enlarger and can give me some pointers ?
I can buy this enlarger for a reasonable price and wonder if it is any good
for B+W enlarging on VC paper ( I will only do B+W )
I believe the magenta is used to get the higher grades ? Can a grade 5
on VC paper be reached ?
I also like to "split grade" is this a problem with this enlarger ?
I am used to a condenser 4x5 De Vere enlarger, and like to try the mixed light as well and the possibility for larger format in the future.
Since the prices of these enlargers have dropped so much lately, I am ready to grab this opportunity but don't want to make any mistakes.
Thanks for your comments,
Tjibbe Veeloo

 

[Bob Carnie]

If you are already using a condensor enlarger, the main difference you will find is that the resulting images from a diffusion(deveere) are not as *crisp , sharp contrasty** But this is a subjective thing with enlarger workers. I use both in fact have a Deveere 8x10 and Deveere 11x14.
Yes the magenta is used for increasing contrast, fully in you may achieve a somewhat grade 5.(very close). Using Dichroic diffusion heads are harder to manipulate the split filtering aspect of black and white printing ,but totally achievable with patience and practice.
This is a very good enlarger and for the money as good a machine as durst, omega or bessler.
As well within a few years you will be able to buy a used digital head for this unit as there are heads retrofiting to this model.
Go for it. Absolutely great for portrait images
bob

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a De-Vere 504 and an 810H. They are very well built machines. Note, though, that DeVere puts the dichroic filters between the lamps and the heat absorbing glass. This means that the filters really get bombarded with light, and they fade, especially the magenta one. With both of my used enlargers I could only achieve a grade 3.5 until I replaced the magenta filters. Now I can get 4.5, at least according to the ISO method of contrast grading and on Ilford MG FB paper.

-Peter

 

[Claire Senft]

They amount of contrast that you will be able to create will depend on two factors: The amount of magenta filtration available with the colorhead. The amount of magenta filtration to reach a particular level of contrast will vary by the paper chosen and its storage conditions. If the enlarger is in good condition I would find it difficult to believe that it would not well serve your enlarging needs..when used with a first quality lens.

I admit to be prejudiced. I believe that Durst and Devere both are engineered and built to a quality level that no current enlarger aspires to. The only one that comes to mind as their equal is a Salzman and it is a long time since it has been available new. Fotars are probably their equal but I do not know the country of origin.

Enjoy your Devere and may you get many years of service from it..

 

[boyooso]

I admit to be prejudiced. I believe that Durst and Devere both are engineered and built to a quality level that no current enlarger aspires to. The only one that comes to mind as their equal is a Salzman and it is a long time since it has been available new. Fotars are probably their equal but I do not know the country of origin.

I agree completely! The Devere and Fotars are certainly on par and far superior to any omega, beslers

By the way, Fotars are US made and he is no longer in business.

 

[Tjibbe veeloo]

DeVere 507 colour enlarger

Thank you all for your very helpful comments.
I understand that splitprinting can take some time with the 507, but
the way I do it now ( changing the filters in the filterdrawer ) is probabely more of a hassle ?
A couple of more things that come to my mind:
If the dichr.filters are faded, is it still possible to get replacements for the 507 and is this very costly ?
Does anyone of you know if the lensboards of the 507 are the same as from the 504 ?
If you want to print with graded papers can you use a zero setting to print with a white diffused light ?
Thanks again for your help.
Tjibbe Veeloo

 

[Claire Senft]

If you are interested in split filtering and the dichro filters are faded you could easily solve the problem by using high quality, preferably multi coated, glass number 98 and 99 which are blue and green filters intended for for tri-color printing. If you were also to buy an number 29 you would be set for tri-color printing.

This method would give up nothing in so far as capabilty to generate any density level or contrast level. In fact with these sharp cutting filters you would probably achieve the highest and lowest range that the paper could produce.

 

[Peter De Smidt]

It is not too costly to replace the dichroic filters. They are 1" square. You can get them from Focal Point in Florida for a reasonable amount. I forget the url. Do a google on "focal point de vere dichroic filters" and that should get you there.

Claire's suggestion works well, but you do lose a lot of light. Here's a suggestion if you do go with this method: If the image needs lots of contrast, start with the blue filter, and if it needs to be lowered in contrast, start with green.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Yes you can use the white light for printing graded papers.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

The deveres are great. I own a 10x8 and used to have a 504 (Sold to get 10x8). I also have most of a 10x8 multigrade, just need a powerpack and another carrier. I also havde a Durst 138. This is fine too, but my 2 Cents is that the deveres are better still i.e.exceptional! They are IMO more instinctive to use without silly knobs and levers found on the Durst.

If it is a good price, get it. If you decide you dont want it anymore, either sell it, or melt it down and build a battleship. Once you have it you might one day stumble accross an Ilford Multigrade head.....

Tom