Durst 609 queries

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Hi all

i have just purchased a Durst 609 to print my RB67 shots and I have the following queries which I would really appreciate some assistance with please.

1. my lens is a Rodenstock-Ysaron 105mm f4.5, is this lens suitable for 6x7, my understanding is that it should be.

2. using equipment mentioned above, should I be able to produce a 10x8 print, my initial use says no, I can not raise high enough in focus to cover 10x8,

I can only seem to print to about 5x7 maximum keeping it in focus.

Thank you in advance for any advice offered, I have experience using a Durst M 600 but alas that does not allow me to process 6x7

Cheers
Lee

koraks · Jun 19, 2023

A 105 Ysarex should easily cover 6x7cm.

The 8x10 enlargement problem is usually the cause of the lack of a recessed lens board, but I'm surprised you'd run into this with a lens this long. What kind of lens board do you use? Can you post a photo of the enlarger with lens mounted, clearly showing how it's mounted?

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

koraks · Jun 19, 2023

Right, looks like you've got an extension tube fitted on there, which limits focus to very short distances (small enlargements). Can you remove it? It's the black cylindrical attachment. I think you should be able to remove it and mount the lens board proper straight onto the enlarger.

Or maybe the lens cone is part of the original design, but in that case I'm pretty sure (going by photos of this enlarger on the web) that there are shorter cones available that should allow you to focus larger prints with this enlarger.

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Really appreciate your time and advice, thank you.

looking at images of this lens on the net it would seem that this is standard for all examples of this lens.

should I try and find another lens, am really lost on this, just am unsure what I would need to find and buy.

thanks again

koraks · Jun 19, 2023

Watson said:
looking at images of this lens on the net it would seem that this is standard for all examples of this lens.

The lens is just the bit that screws into the lens plate. You have at least 3 components there
1: The lens proper
2: The lens board with the shiny aluminum outer ring
3: The extension tube that mounts the lens board (and lens) onto the enlarger.

In your first photo, you show the lens board + lens mounted:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/attachments/img_1011-jpeg.341662/

So this is items 1 + 2. You could unscrew the lens from the board, but there's presently no real need to. It will however demonstrate that they are two different items.

I think your problem is with item #3, which is physically distinct from the rest of the assembly. If this tube is too long, the distance between the film and the lens will always be too long (regardless of focus adjustment) and you will be limited to very small enlargements. Id extreme cases, even at 1:1 enlargement proper focus is not possible, and only reductions can be made (print is smaller than negative).

Just to make sure - you do know how to operate the focus adjustment on your enlarger, do you? I assume when setting up for a larger print size, you have:
1: Raised the head
2: Adjusted the focus to get a sharp image
Steps 1 & 2 need to be done iteratively to obtain the exact desired enlargement at precisely accurate focus (with the exception of 'autofocus' enlargers, but this isn't one).
If somehow you missed step 2 (set focus), we might have kept this very brief

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Thanks again

yes I am familiar with focusing procedure

so you believe the tube which extends is not standard and I should try and find a standard one if I wish to print 10x8 etc

Cheers and thank you.

koraks · Jun 19, 2023

Watson said:
so you believe the tube which extends is not standard

I think it's an official Durst item alright, but indeed, I think it's not the correct lens turret for this enlarger/lens combination.

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

For reference I have posted the shot above showing the tube fully extended, if possible could a Durst 609 owner check and compare their own to it, cd cover for scale

Many thanks
Lee

MattKing · Jun 19, 2023

You need a shorter cone - to give you larger enlargements with that lens.
It should look more like this:

I don't know that the particular cone seen - or perhaps glimpsed - on that manual first page is the optimum one for that lens, but it should be a lot closer than the one you have.

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Thank you..

MattKing · Jun 19, 2023

Can you take the cone off, and mount the lens and lensboard directly?

Maris · Jun 19, 2023

The Durst 609 from memory has a double extension column. One of the pictures from the OP shows this assembly in the LOW position. The column locking lever should be loosened and the "front" column lifted to the top and locked there. That gets the enlarger head to maximum height and hopefully maximum enlargement.

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Maris.....That is the winner and indeed the fix, I had come to exactly the same realisation basically the same time you were posting, and of course seeing your post confirmed it, so simple and it has totally fixed my issues.

My sincere thanks to all who posted above, it was all really appreciated.

Watson · Jun 19, 2023

Maris, I lived up in Noosa for 25 years.

MattKing · Jun 19, 2023

It is very satisfying when we can help.
Just as it is incredibly frustrating to have the internet, along with half the planet, in between!

koraks · Jun 20, 2023

I'm glad you've found the problem, and that it took nothing but a simple flick of a lever to fix it! Have fun with that enlarger; go and make beautiful prints with it

MattKing · Jun 20, 2023

I expect that the solution actually involved removing the accessory lens cone, but otherwise I agree!

Watson · Jun 20, 2023

No, the cone stayed, just raising it did the trick which makes complete sense, I had thought of it earlier but something stopped me trying to utilise the second column, I am old enough to have known better but I think I was having one of those days.

Thanks again.

MattKing · Jun 20, 2023

Watson said:
No, the cone stayed, just raising it did the trick which makes complete sense,

There is clearly an adjustment mechanism in that enlarger that we didn't remember or weren't familiar with in the first place.
Not fair hiding some of the clues

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