Devere 504 DVW : Anyone know what it is?

[snaggs]

Sounds like a pretty fancy enlarger.

Devere 504 Model DVW with base lvel controls, closed loop dichroma lightsourc enlarger, motorised column and focus. System 2000 closed loop colour head with dedicated keyboard and computer control unit, voltage stabiliser etc etc.

I was given some enlargers, but theres bits missing and they 110 volt (were 240 volt), so Im wondering if Im better of with something that comes with full instructions and complete with accessories.

Daniel.

 

[Donald Miller]

Sounds like a pretty fancy enlarger.

Devere 504 Model DVW with base lvel controls, closed loop dichroma lightsourc enlarger, motorised column and focus. System 2000 closed loop colour head with dedicated keyboard and computer control unit, voltage stabiliser etc etc.

I was given some enlargers, but theres bits missing and they 110 volt (were 240 volt), so Im wondering if Im better of with something that comes with full instructions and complete with accessories.

Daniel.

Depends on what is missing...and what your future plans might be. If you plan on continuing with 35 mm then this is probably overkill. If you envision yourself moving into 4X5 at some point then this may well be a wise direction to go.

In my estimation Devere is probably slightly better then Durst and I consider both of those makers to be truly professional grade equipment...much superior to the other manufacturers. When I compare the other manufactureres to Devere and Durst, no matter whether it is Bessler, Omega, or LPL Saunders, they all appear to be amateur grade equipment.

There is one other consideration...this enlarger, from what I understand, is capable of being upgraded to print digital input onto conventional photographic enlarging paper. That is something to consider.

 

[resummerfield]

Hi Daniel:

The DVW is the wall mounted model of the 4x5 DeVere 504 series, a very nice professional enlarger. I didn't think they had a motorized column in the 4x5 machines? If this one does, it would be exceptionally nice!

The System 2000 is the keyboard controlled closed loop colorhead, with motorized dichro filters. I used a ZBE system just like this, called the Starlite. The DeVere controller looks just like the ZBE, and may have been made by ZBE? It worked great!

Did you say you were given this? I would most definately keep it. DeVere should be able to supply any parts. It's a fairly recent system, probably late 90's. The same model may still be sold. You may be able to get operational info from DeVere or even ZBE. In the US, they are sold by Bob Yee at DSI, Inc. in College Park, MD (301-220-1111). If you can't find any info, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out--the keyboard features menus.

 

[snaggs]

No I wasnt given this one This one is for sale at about US$1200, but I think hes negotiable. The other option is to get a Focomat v35. I do have some 4x5 negs to print, but at the moment Im really focussing on 35mm B&W (about to start rangefindering).

I know theyre both overkill for a beginner.. but with the bargains on the market at the moment, why not get it right first time

PS. I was something that is fast and easy to use. Hence the controls etc appeal.

 

[John Koehrer]

Snaggs,
I don't know about the Devere from personal experience but, if you're in the states missing parts could easily double the cost of the unit. Granted you would have a very nice piece of equipment.
The focomat would be nice as a dedicated 35mm enlarger. hard to beat the quality. Amateur or pro. Make sure you get the negative masks with the focomat

 

[Peter De Smidt]

I have a couple of De Vere 504's as well as a De Vere 810H (a horizontal 8x10.) They are very well made. Everything is alignable with set screws, the heads can be adjusted from the baseboard, they are *very* sturdy and Odyssey Sales still sells them, hence you can get manuals, parts... These parts can be mind numbinlgy expensive. For example, they quoted me a price of $250 for the diffusing plastic for a 4x5 light box. (It is machined to even out the light, but still!). One thing that worries me about snaggs's setup, though, is the closed loop head. The chasis on these things should last decades, but I'm leary of one's with complicated electronics. My floor standing 504 is from the mid 1980's, and it had built in color sensors... A dealer told me that they have lot's of problems. I couldn't get mine to work, and so I ripped it out. Luckly the Dichromat color heads that I have are very simple, with traditional sliding dichroic filters. If something goes on that sophisticated head, expect to pay tons of money to get it fixed.

-Peter
www.desmidt.net

 

[resummerfield]

The DeVere 504 would be a great enlarger, but Peter makes a good point. ZBE no longer manufactures their closed loop system, which the DeVere system appears to be based on. So any repairs to the electronics would be extremely expensive or impossible.

I've seen almost mint condition Durst L1200 enlargers with the CLS501 dichro colorhead go on eBay for about $1000. So a manual dichro may be a more prudent choice.