Does Anyone Recognize This Durst Lens Board?

gone · Nov 13, 2014

I bought a Durst 606 enlarger and it came w/ this recessed lens board (looks like 24mm threads for the lens). It's about 1 9/16" deep. I know Durst has a lot of fancy names for their lens boards, but I was wondering if this one would work for 6x6? I don't have a lens for it yet or I would just put the enlarger together and ck it.

DREW WILEY · Nov 13, 2014

Just look up the specs on various enlarging lenses from 75mm to 105mm and see if any of the thread sizes match. The problem with some
of the shorter ones is that you have to compress the bellows too much, so a recessed board can be helpful, though it's more likely to be
necessary for even shorter lenses like 35mm film commonly uses.

ic-racer · Nov 13, 2014

LATUB

paul_c5x4 · Nov 13, 2014

Could be a Femotub (I think the LATUB is a recessed board) - Yours looks like a 25mm thread, so not too many lenses will fit. Whilst it may not be as useful for general use, it will be handy for doing small prints. I have one that I use with a 150mm lens when printing 6x4 or smaller (for postcards) from 5x4 negs.

Edit: Having looked at the posted images, either you have two different boards, or there is a double chamfer on it - If this is the case, then it can be used as a recessed board, or an extension. Most unusual if it is....

gone · Nov 13, 2014

You're correct on both counts Paul. It appears to be closer to 25mm than 24mm, and the board does indeed go into the enlarger both ways. Very handy. I didn't see that. You have keen eyes. Not too happy about the thread size. I may drill it out so that I can put the more common 39mm lens like the Nikkors in it, w/ a lock nut to hold it in IF the thickness of the lens board allows that. Otherwise I'm going on a hunt for 25mm enlarging lenses. Have no idea what focal length to buy, as all I want to do is 6x6 (at least 11x14, or 11x11 w/o a crop), but the handy "flip" feature should help on that score. Maybe.

These old Dursts are good enlargers, but the lens boards can be frustrating, and they cost an arm and a leg if you need another board. Probably should have bought another old Omega B600 or C700, and not had these lens board issues.

MattKing · Nov 13, 2014

The Meopta enlargers often used 25mm thread size lenses. There are a few Schneider Componon lenses (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 60mm and 80mm) that are available in that thread size. Probably lenses from other manufacturers as well.

paul_c5x4 · Nov 13, 2014

momus said:
You're correct on both counts Paul. It appears to be closer to 25mm than 24mm, and the board does indeed go into the enlarger both ways. Very handy. I didn't see that. You have keen eyes. Not too happy about the thread size. I may drill it out so that I can put the more common 39mm lens like the Nikkors in it, w/ a lock nut to hold it in IF the thickness of the lens board allows that. Otherwise I'm going on a hunt for 25mm enlarging lenses. Have no idea what focal length to buy, as all I want to do is 6x6 (at least 11x14, or 11x11 w/o a crop), but the handy "flip" feature should help on that score. Maybe.

I have a number of lens boards that I use with my L1200, each with their own oddball name - They are all 77-78mm in diameter, and I suspect most other lens boards are the same. If you have access to a small lathe, they are not that difficult to make either (had to make one with a 50mm thread).

For 6x6 negs, you'd want either a 75mm or 80mm lens - I wouldn't recommend drilling the hole out and using a threaded ring to retain the lens. There is quite a bit of meat there and I suspect most M39 lenses will not project far enough through for a ring to "bite".

gone · Nov 14, 2014

Yes, that was my worry, that the thickness of the lens board would be too thick to facilitate using a locknut scheme. If I had a lathe I could simply reduce the thickness at that point, but alas, no lathe here, and getting the board machined would probably cost quite a bit. I'd better look for a 25mm threaded lens. I figured a 75mm lens would be the right focal length for 6x6, but this particular lens board, w/ it's odd configuration, has me a little puzzled. Using it in the recessed position looks like a PITA to adjust the lens aperture. Might be best to a lens w/ a return privilege just in case. Many thanks for the help!

Alex Muir · Nov 14, 2014

I think some of the Durst branded Componons are 25mm. I have two fitted to a DA900 enlarger. I will try to check later. If I'm correct, there are quite a few of these lenses around, and they are great quality. Mine are 50 and 105mm.
Alex

ic-racer · Nov 14, 2014

MattKing said:
The Meopta enlargers often used 25mm thread size lenses. There are a few Schneider Componon lenses (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 60mm and 80mm) that are available in that thread size. Probably lenses from other manufacturers as well.

I have the 80mm Componon in a 25mm mount. It is a good six-element lens. Due to the oddball size mount and smaller aperture size, a specimen might be obtained inexpensively. I only paid $5 for mine. I got it for the same reason as you; I had a Durst 25mm Setopla lensboard with no lens.

bsdunek · Nov 14, 2014

I would think IXOTUB - takes a Leica enlarging lens, 50mm.

paul_c5x4 · Nov 14, 2014

bsdunek said:
I would think IXOTUB

I think you are probably right - One currently listed on ebay with a side-on view: 281493360844

gorbas · Nov 14, 2014

Matt King, Meopta and "old Schneider" threads look similar to the eye, but they are totally different. Schneider is 25mm and Meopta is ~23mm (sorry I'm measuring from female adapter, I give mu set of their lenses recently). Meopta also used 30mm for older 105mm Belar lens and 39mm for their more recent lenses. Soo, investing in callipers is not that bad idea!

Alex Muir · Nov 14, 2014

I just checked, and my Durst branded Componons are 25mm. The ones I have are silver coloured. You see them quite often on UK eBay and they are not expensive. They made an 80mm which would do 6x6. On my Durst 601, however, you use a flat board for 6x6 and the recessed one for 35mm. Images of the 606 I've seen online show both the flat board and the one you have. If you're using it for 6x6, I think you'll need the flat one. The outer diameter of the board may be the standard size, in which case you could look for a flat one with 39mm thread to suit more lenses. The outer diameter of boards for both my Dursts is 78mm. The flat one with 39mm hole is called Siriopla.
Alex.

youngrichard · Nov 16, 2014

Yes, I have a Durst 606. Not sure why I gave up using it, it's great machine.
The recessed mount or Ixotub is for 50mm lenses for 35 mm; mine is an Ixotub 39 to take 39mm mount lenses. The flat one is called Ixopla 39 for 6 x 6 negs; my machine came with a 90 mm lens but I imagine it is good for 75 - 90 mm lenses. As observed the flange is bevelled both ways, and is larger than usual Durst lens boards, which I have found can be made to fit by super-gluing short segments of match stick to the rim in appropriate places. I think that anything from Durst with a name beginning Ixo- is for the 606, though I could be wrong.
Richard

paul_c5x4 · Nov 22, 2014

youngrichard said:
As observed the flange is bevelled both ways, and is larger than usual Durst lens boards

I have just come across an Ixotub hiding in my darkroom - If anyone is looking for info on these. the overall diameter of the flange is 81.25mm and 4.50mm thick, with a 45° bevel (90° inclusive). For comparison, a typical Lapla is 78mm diameter.

momus: If you can't find a suitable lens, perhaps we can work out some kind of deal for the one I have here (standard 39mm LTM fitting).

grahamp · Nov 23, 2014

It ought to be possible to 3D print some of the Durst boards. The lens thread might be a challenge (depends what thread libraries are available), but using a Beseler-style lock ring would side-step that. The only reason Durst boards have a beveled edge all around is so that the lens can be aligned facing forward once the lens is screwed in. Using a lock ring on the lens mount means the bevels could be reduced to three points on the circumference, and the alignment done with the lock ring.

It would not be especially cheap, but tracking down specific items for sale can take some time.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 23, 2014

Alex Muir said:
I think some of the Durst branded Componons are 25mm. I have two fitted to a DA900 enlarger. I will try to check later. If I'm correct, there are quite a few of these lenses around, and they are great quality. Mine are 50 and 105mm.
Alex

I fully agree,the Durst-branded lenses are of excellent quality.I gave mine away with the enlarger unfortunately.hard to find takers these days

Does Anyone Recognize This Durst Lens Board?

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