Durst 1800 Enlarger

Grillage · Jan 20, 2018

Hi! I hope someone can help me. Back in 1999 I bought a Durst 8x10 1800 Enlarger from Durst-Pro USA It came with a modified ZBE Dichroic color head, 2000 watts. (6 Lamps) It has given me very little trouble over the years but now I am extremely worried. Jens Jensen the owner of Durst-Pro USA unfortunately has passed away. There is no contact with anyone that used to work for the company and ZBE does not have parts anymore. This is a great enlarger but if something cuts out on the unit I am at a loss on what to do? Does anyone know of any people or companies that can service enlargers? I can do some mechanical repairs myself but I don't have schematics for the PC Boards for the Color Head. ANY help would be greatly appreciated! I have enclosed a photo of the enlarger.

ic-racer · Jan 20, 2018

I have an original Durst CLS2000 color head on my enlarger and this is my backup plan and I have acquired a spare power supply (EST2000N).
If that were to fail I'd just either build myself, or buy a new LED head.
LED technology has advanced so much, even since I got my enlarger ten years ago. Looking at your setup, if your color head were to fail, I don't think it would be that much trouble to find a LED panel that would take the place of your mixing box and fit over the negative stage. But that is my backup plan.

Another option for you would be to find a used Durst CLS head. Even if you don't have the power supply, powering the blowers and lamp could be accomplished easily without the dedicated EST unit. The dichoric filter control is all mechanical and the electronic shutter can easily be left open all the time.

Grillage · Jan 20, 2018

Thank you! Alan Ross also recommended a LED light source. My only other concern is the three stages, Focus, Head and Table are controlled by motors. There is no mechanical bypass for them if they fail.

Hilo · Jan 20, 2018

Do you know this company: http://www.glennview.com/durst.htm ? His prices may seem high, but I would say he knows a lot about these machines !

Grillage · Jan 20, 2018

I just contacted him! Thank you. I am looking into every area I can.

Hilo · Jan 21, 2018

I know how you feel. My situation is not much different, except it is about Leitz enlargers and the Durst L1000 that I have wall mounted. Over the past ten years I have gotten many parts that can break: glasses, condensers, cables, lamps . . .

Perhaps nice to know nothing really does break !!

Luis-F-S · Jan 22, 2018

Ok, so you are trying to solve a problem that you don't have . Some solutions offered above. If the head motor fails, take it out and get another head motor (Hemot?) at auction or install a hand crank! Looks like you may have a hand focusing knob on the lens stage already, and just leave table at whatever height you normally use. If you post photos of these motors and how they attach, there may be other solutions. I'm only going by what is on my L-184 base.

Sort of why I bough a DeVere 5108 instead of an L-184. I put my SM-183 (L-184 base and 5x7 camera) in storage. Figured someone might want it at some point. The Devere is all manual so easily fixable when and if it breaks! The Durst condenser head is manual, plus I have plenty of bulbs for it as well as the cold light head! Nice enlarger, BTW.

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

I am just trying to be prepared for the future. Electronics do not last as long as mechanical so I have to be ready. Replacing a motor is not easy and I don't have a replacement. This unit will not accept a hand crank. Thank you for your input.

Luis-F-S · Jan 22, 2018

Grillage said:
This unit will not accept a hand crank. Thank you for your input.

Then you can get a manual L-184 base and mount the head on it. PM me if you'd like. L

Luis-F-S · Jan 22, 2018

ic-racer probably has the most experience with this model and could probably be the most help. Have you had any issues with it? L

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

IC Racer? Don't know him. No problems at this time but I want to be prepared for the future. Only problems I had in the past is the Main PC board, which had to be replaced and the sensor board which had to be replaced. The Light engine and all three motors work fine. This is a Futura Head. 6 lamps at 2000 watts. This was sold to me by Jens Jensen. Durst Pro USA. Unfortunately he passed away last month and his business is gone.

Luis-F-S · Jan 22, 2018

Grillage said:
IC Racer? Don't know him. No problems at this time but I want to be prepared for the future. Only problems I had in the past is the Main PC board, which had to be replaced and the sensor board which had to be replaced. The Light engine and all three motors work fine. This is a Futura Head. 6 lamps at 2000 watts. This was sold to me by Jens Jensen. Durst Pro USA. Unfortunately he passed away last month and his business is gone.

ic-racer was the first respondent to your post. You can message him on this forum. He is familiar with the Durst head, don't know about the Futura head. I personally visited Durst-Pro USA a number of years ago when I was in the area, and was concerned about backup/service should any happen to Jens, or if he choose to go out of business as it looked like a small operation. Exactly why I went with DeVere, as you can still purchase products/pars if needed, plus it's a much simpler enlarger. With luck, these enlargers can be passed down to our heirs!

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

Okay, Thank you!

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

ic-racer said:
I have an original Durst CLS2000 color head on my enlarger and this is my backup plan and I have acquired a spare power supply (EST2000N).
If that were to fail I'd just either build myself, or buy a new LED head.
LED technology has advanced so much, even since I got my enlarger ten years ago. Looking at your setup, if your color head were to fail, I don't think it would be that much trouble to find a LED panel that would take the place of your mixing box and fit over the negative stage. But that is my backup plan.

Another option for you would be to find a used Durst CLS head. Even if you don't have the power supply, powering the blowers and lamp could be accomplished easily without the dedicated EST unit. The dichoric filter control is all mechanical and the electronic shutter can easily be left open all the time.

Most folks I talk to tell me a Dichroic head is better then a LED head. Would you have spare parts like PC boards and or a new sensor board for my model of enlarger? Thanks

Luis-F-S · Jan 22, 2018

I prefer a Dichroic head, I have no experience with LED heads, Dichroic bulbs are cheap, and I have a supply that will outlast me. I know Heiland makes an LED head and it's supposed to be good and pricey. Most of the other ones that folks use are DIY jobs and they've reported varying degrees of success. Some love them, some like to tinker with them, some think they're wonderful. It just depends on whom you ask and how they define "wonderful"! Not sure what boards may be available, or what IC may have. These enlargers were not made in large numbers and many were scrapped with the digital revolution, and the left over ones probably have a lot of use. I'd sure try to find out what happened to the Durst PRO stock of parts, they have to be somewhere, if you know someone nearby, or if someone on the forum lives nearby and could drive past and inquire, it'd be worth finding out. I know he had several employees there when I visited. Also contact Colex Imaging in Elmwood Park, NJ. At one time they represented Durst, I know they repaired my Hedes control box many many years ago. They may have some suggestions. Good luck and pls tell us if you find out anything.

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

Thank you!

ic-racer · Jan 22, 2018

I know that Jens made a replacement power supply for the Durst CLS head, but, as far as I can tell, he did not make one for the enlarger chassis motors. I suspect that he, like myself, repaired the existing ones. That would be the ECU1000 power supply.
I bought a broken ECU1000 power supply and repaired it so I have a spare.

It is not unreasonable to seek a backup plan. Almost anyone shooting rollfilm has backup cameras. Likewise electronic enlargers need a backup plan.
In terms of 4x5, I have two enlargers setup and an extra complete D5500 Omega head and controller I can swap out if needed.

Which is better LED or Dichroic? If one were to build an 8x10 head, the LED is easier. Making a Dichroic head involves pretty extensive engineering skills. I have only seen one and it is here:

ic-racer · Jan 22, 2018

Just to continue, I also think that restoring old mechanical Dichroic heads is a good alternative (picture below of a 4x5 Chromega I refurbished). I don't see too may other threads on this topic but I think that it is easier to fix a mechanical dichroic head than make a LED head from scratch. I had mentioned this in my first post above. Which is to say find a mechanical dichroic head as a spare.

Grillage · Jan 22, 2018

I will take a photo of my Power supply tomorrow and show it to you. Its big and heavy. Thanks

Love03 · Feb 22, 2018

Hello
I have the same chassi it is Durst L1800 and it is fully mot. in all three stages. I have bought 3 so if anything happens with the electronics I am safe. I use all the 10X10" heads on mine. I have CLS 2000, CLS 1840, CLS 300, CLS 301, condenser and Lacoli 184. I know a man here in Sweden who worked as chief engineer at Durst Pro USA I can ask him if he knows anything about your light head.
Anders

Grillage · Feb 22, 2018

YES! Thank you! What ever information you can get for me or if you can get me in contact with the engineer I would very much appreciate that! I would not mind having a Manual CLS 2000 head.

Luis-F-S · Feb 22, 2018

Have you had any contact with anyone at Durst-Pro-USA? Their Website is still up. Has anyone in the forum been able to do a drive-by to see if there is any activity? Their repair folks have to be around somewhere, it's just a matter of finding them.

Unfortunately, you may want to look for a back-up head for if and when yours gives up the ghost. Specialty enlargers are great when they work and can be repaired. Some of us prefer to use simpler enlargers that are more easily repairable with an electrician if the factory is not available.

Grillage · Feb 22, 2018

Jens Jensen who owned Durst Pro USA passed away in December. The site may be still active but the company is no more. I am guessing the state of Oregon will acquire what is left.

Durst 1800 Enlarger

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