DeVere 203 Enlarger problem

[Martin Berry LRPS]

Can anybod please assist me as I have a small issue with my De Vere 203 enlarger. I have been using it for medium format work and printing and it has been a true joy to use. However I want to drop back to some of my 35mm film printing, I have the negative mask but I understand I need a recessed lens plate for my 50mm enlarger lens. I am having difficulty tracking one down.

Does anybody know where i can get one from?

Were they actually produce for the 203?

Will a 504 lens plate fit a 203?

Otherwise it will be on to ebay to buy a second enlarger for 35mm that I don't have room for!

Thanks, Martin

 

[Jack Lusted]

I have been using a 203 for about 6 months and, they are really great enlargers. Like you I needed to enlarge 35mm. Yes you need a recessed lens plate. Dead Link Removed are the chaps to get in contact with.

A 504 lens plate willo not fit.

Don't get rid of the de Vere - after it nothing else will quite do!!!

 

[Martin Berry LRPS]

Thanks Jack for your reply, I am chasing Nova Darkroom, Secondhand Darkroom and now Odyssey to see what I can locate. At least I now know they exist - it is just finding one.

Totally agree that it is a great enlarger. Unfortunately I have close to 200 35mm films I am slowly going back through reprinting which will take some time. I only switched to medium format 2 years ago but love it - even rebuilt my darkroom when all around were sellign theirs and turning to the dark side (digital).

Have you done any adjustment to your base plate alignment and level, I am not sure if my base plate is 100% square to my enalrger axis but I have been told to be very careful about adjusting the baseplate screws.

Martin

 

[Jack Lusted]

Martin, the only screws I've adjusted were the feet so the enlarger sat nicely on its bench. WRT adjusting the baseboard alignment I really would not touch that unless I thought that it really was out of parallel with the negative plane. An easy way to check alignment would be to something nice and round (like a penny or a washer) in the neg holder and project it onto the base board. Then measure its diameter - which should be the same in all directions. If thats good to a couple of mm or so then I would think that that would be good enough, that is unless you are doing something very scientific and quantitative. Oh yes, and make sure you haven't any tilt on the lens panel or neg holder!

 

[Martin Berry LRPS]

OK, thanks I will try out your test - very scientific. I have not touched the screws as yet and don't want to really. I have tracked a lens plate down at Odyssey which is good news. Could be printing this weekend again!! Better buy some paper.

Ta

 

[jamesd]

Martin, I'm presently in exactly the same situation as you were. I've acquired a 203 which has a flat (actually, slightly recessed ) lens panel which allows me to focus an 80mm lens for 6x6 negs but won't allow me to focus a 50mm lens. According to the handbook, there are only 2 lens panels for the 203, the flat panel which should take lenses from 50 to 105mm and a sunken panel for lenses from 25-35mm. Did you get a panel to take a 50mm lens and if so, do you have a description (how deep is the recess) or a de Vere code number for the panel, and where did you source it ?
James