Durst 606 lens compatibility

[kingbuzzie]

Thinking of a durst 606 for my first enlarger. I'm completely new to enlarger lenses. What type fits this model? Do I need a certain lens board for specific lens mm?

 

[Jerevan]

The 606 uses either 39 mm lens boards (if you can find them) and the smaller ones, 25 mm size. Here is the manual: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_606.pdf

If you have the 39 mm lens boards, a 50 mm for a 35 mm negatives and a 75-80 mm lens for 6x6 is what you would need. Nikon made nice ones to name one manufacturer.

The smaller boards are a bit iffy, then you have to find an older lens, such as a Schneider with that smaller diameter for example.

 

[ac12]

Get the 39mm lens boards, as lenses with 39mm mounts are generally easier to find than the smaller 25mm mount lenses.

 

[flavio81]

Thinking of a durst 606 for my first enlarger. I'm completely new to enlarger lenses. What type fits this model? Do I need a certain lens board for specific lens mm?

That is an excellent enlarger.

Typically it should come with a lens board for 39mm lenses. 39mm in this case is not the focal length but the thread diameter. This is the most frequent size.

Note that i have also a separate DURST lens board that appears to be 39mm as well but thread seems different, it mounts a silver barrel Durst-Componon lens which is very good. But it seems it is not "standard" 39mm.

But most enlarger lenses are usually the standard 39mm lenses and those should thread correctly in many enlargers including yours.

As for focal lenght these are the typical lengths:

50mm .......................... for 35mm film
75mm .......................... for 6x6 and 6x4.5
80mm .......................... typically for 6x6, some lenses might work fine for 6x7 as well
90mm .......................... 6x7, 6x6
105mm .......................... 6x9* (which your enlarger doesn't support) but of course you can use it for 6x7 and 6x6; the caveat is that you'll have to raise the column even more.

* Here i have the Durst M670 Color (6x7) and it has scales for 50, 80, and 105 lenses. So perhaps Durst wants me to use 105mm for 6x7.

As for lens brands, the ones more favored and well-known are Kodak, Nikon, Schneider, Rodenstock, Leitz, and Minolta.

Cheap enlarging lenses are 3 element. Inexpensive, good lenses are 4 element, these should give fine image quality.

The most expensive lenses are 5 or six element, for example:
Nikkor EL-Nikkor 50/2.8
Schneider Componon (many lenses)
Rodenstock Rodagon (many lenses)
etc

 

[kingbuzzie]

Thanks so much! It seems to be specifically DURST that is very confusing. I have it sorted now.

Don

That is an excellent enlarger.

Typically it should come with a lens board for 39mm lenses. 39mm in this case is not the focal length but the thread diameter. This is the most frequent size.

Note that i have also a separate DURST lens board that appears to be 39mm as well but thread seems different, it mounts a silver barrel Durst-Componon lens which is very good. But it seems it is not "standard" 39mm.

But most enlarger lenses are usually the standard 39mm lenses and those should thread correctly in many enlargers including yours.

As for focal lenght these are the typical lengths:

50mm .......................... for 35mm film
75mm .......................... for 6x6 and 6x4.5
80mm .......................... typically for 6x6, some lenses might work fine for 6x7 as well
90mm .......................... 6x7, 6x6
105mm .......................... 6x9* (which your enlarger doesn't support) but of course you can use it for 6x7 and 6x6; the caveat is that you'll have to raise the column even more.

* Here i have the Durst M670 Color (6x7) and it has scales for 50, 80, and 105 lenses. So perhaps Durst wants me to use 105mm for 6x7.

As for lens brands, the ones more favored and well-known are Kodak, Nikon, Schneider, Rodenstock, Leitz, and Minolta.

Cheap enlarging lenses are 3 element. Inexpensive, good lenses are 4 element, these should give fine image quality.

The most expensive lenses are 5 or six element, for example:
Nikkor EL-Nikkor 50/2.8
Schneider Componon (many lenses)
Rodenstock Rodagon (many lenses)
etc

 

[darkroommike]

There are several ixopla and ixotub on ebay right now, all for 25mm threaded lenses, Schneider makes some good older lenses in that mount. You need a ixopla for a 75mm flat and an ixotub for a 50mm but try the flat board first. My newer M601 will focus with a flat board and 50mm but not for big prints.

 

[mgb74]

There are several ixopla and ixotub on ebay right now, all for 25mm threaded lenses, Schneider makes some good older lenses in that mount. You need a ixopla for a 75mm flat and an ixotub for a 50mm but try the flat board first. My newer M601 will focus with a flat board and 50mm but not for big prints.

And those older 25mm mount lenses can be pretty cheap.

Durst accessories can be hard to find in the US. So that's something to consider. But IIRC the negative carrier for the 606 had adjustable blades for 35mm to 6x6. Verify that bulbs are still available. And the 606 is pretty old (I had one in the late 60s), so make sure that it's still nice and tight where it should be. And if it's not currently being used, make sure all the internals such as condensers are there.

Assuming comparable condition, I'd consider the Durst to be better than the Vivitar I mentioned in my PM.

 

[darkroommike]

And those older 25mm mount lenses can be pretty cheap.

Durst accessories can be hard to find in the US. So that's something to consider. But IIRC the negative carrier for the 606 had adjustable blades for 35mm to 6x6. Verify that bulbs are still available. And the 606 is pretty old (I had one in the late 60s), so make sure that it's still nice and tight where it should be. And if it's not currently being used, make sure all the internals such as condensers are there.

Assuming comparable condition, I'd consider the Durst to be better than the Vivitar I mentioned in my PM.

I'd also check ALL the wiring!

 

[kingbuzzie]

I'd also check ALL the wiring!

Wiring and soldering I can handle if need be! I ended up buying a 606 from fleabay, claimed to be in excellent condition with the 50 and 75mm compunar. We will see when it gets here. I also bought a ixopla m39. Do any of accessories like negative carrier from the later models work in the 606?

 

[kingbuzzie]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Dur...SphaVoBBSbKcdObvMjalI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

$67 with free shipping. Seller may have been the original owner, but I didn't ask. Pretty good deal I think!

 

[ac12]

I don't know how he can do free shipping.
The shipping could cost a significant portion of the sale price or more, especially if as said it is "expedited shipping" by priority mail.
I think he made a mistake when he listed the item.
Be ready for a push-back.

 

[kingbuzzie]

Retired person, he was just happy it went to good home. Probably a sentimental item.

 

[ac12]

N-Joy the new toy

 

[Justin Daniel Roth]

I have a Durst 606 enlarger and want to start printing 6x6 and like others want to buy the right lens and board. I see for sale a “Schneider Durst Componar 75mm f/4.5 Enlarging lens w/ 4x4" mount board” the seller does not have any additional information. I was wondering if this would fit my durst 606? If so would it be appropriate for 6x6? I am new to medium format and appreciate the advice.

 

[Dan0001]

The 75mm Componar 4.5, 25mm thread will work fine for enlargements of 8 X 10, perhaps even 11 X 14. You may want to see my write up on this enlarger...it may help you .
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/my-take-on-the-durst-606-enlarger.175892/

 

[Paul Howell]

If you look at your 50mm lens and board you can see that is not 4 inches, you need a lens board dedicated for Durst. Looking at the Durst manual there is a parts list for 2 50mms and 2 75mms. Unlike my Omega D3 the 50 and 80 use the same lens board so I just swap out the 50 for the 80. I think 4X4 fits Bessler, others will know for sure.

 

[MattKing]

I have a Durst 606 enlarger and want to start printing 6x6 and like others want to buy the right lens and board. I see for sale a “Schneider Durst Componar 75mm f/4.5 Enlarging lens w/ 4x4" mount board” the seller does not have any additional information. I was wondering if this would fit my durst 606? If so would it be appropriate for 6x6? I am new to medium format and appreciate the advice.

Most likely someone has taken that Schneider lens originally sold with Durst badging by a Durst dealer and moved it to a lensboard designed to fit another enlarger.
Most lenses are designed to be usable with many brands of enlargers. In fact, in most cases they don't bear the name of any particular enlarger brand. The Durst badged lenses are an exception.

 

[mgb74]

Let's take a step back. Does your enlarger currently have a lensboard and, if so, what is the size of the lens opening? That opening is probably 39mm (if so, good) but could be 28mm or 32mm.

Then, does the 606 require a special condenser for 6x6? If so, is that the one you have?