Durst AC 1200 - tell me about it

[moggi1964]

So I saw this at auction, thought it was fascinating and bought it.

Can someone explain to me what exactly it does, what equipment it would need to hook up to for it to serve its purpose and more importantly is it still a viable instrument (let's assume it works)?

No need to question my sanity, my wife already addressed that question

It look like this:

 

[ic-racer]

I believe it combines a controller for the enlarger with the functionality of the stand-alone PCM 1001.
You would use the controller with your AC 1200 4x5 enlarger, for color printing. The VCNA function is nice if you have a video monitor to use for pre-imaging the filter pack.
You could let us know if you need the rest of the enlarger, to use it as a stand-alone analyzer.

 

[moggi1964]

WOW! That looks like a professional setup. Thank you for the insight.

I have a lot of reading up to do!

 

[wiltw]

Controller for Durst AC1200 enlarger. There is a link to PDF manual

http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6418

The PCM 1001 seems to be an entirely separate product.

 

[mpirie]

I also have the AC1200 controller and AC1201 colour head. You should have the ET2000 PSU too.

Sadly, mine doesn't work anymore. It did when i received it but after a while it just stopped and despite sending to a well-known enlarger repair guy, he was unable to revive it.

It's a shame because the AC1201 head has a shutter in it to improve exposure accuracy.

Hopefully yours has been in use recently.

Mike

 

[moggi1964]

Thank you all for the additional information, wiltw for the link and Mike for the personal experience.

As is often the case at auction, you take the chance that an item will not work so it will be Tuesday afternoon before I collect and test mine.

I don't currently process my own film but had plans to set that up over the coming months with a move to having an enlarger setup. I wasn't planning on anything as 'grand' as the AC stuff but I think the fascinated child in me couldn't resist the multitude of buttons. These plans may all be shelved if the house we have fallen in love with becomes ours as it is not really set up to offer a separate space for those activities. We'll see!

I'll let you know more on Tuesday afternoon. Have a great weekend folks.

 

[munz6869]

I've been using one for years - ace thing, although mostly I just use the 'timer' function All the best with this beautiful piece of 80's engineering!!

Marc!

 

[mpirie]

OP: is it just the controller you bought or are you getting the PSU and AC1201 head too?

Mike

 

[moggi1964]

Thanks Marc.

Just the controller for now, Mike.

By the time I have the controller and make sure it works I will also know if we are moving to the house we have offered on. If we are then I'll need to rethink the darkroom setup, it may still be feasible but I have my doubts. Should I not be able to pursue a darkroom then I'll need to sell the controller. If I can have a darkroom then I'll begin the process of rounding up all the necessary components to make this work. I'm not in any rush.

 

[ic-racer]

Controller for Durst AC1200 enlarger. There is a link to PDF manual

http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=6418

The PCM 1001 seems to be an entirely separate product.

Since he only has the controller (not the enlarger) I suspect using it like a PCM 1001 might be the only option (he would let us know if it works or not).

 

[moggi1964]

So other than the lights coming on I am guess there is little else I can learn about how operational it is without being able to attach it to some equipment?

Does it need to connect to the AC1200 enlarger or will it work with other Durst enlargers but in a m ore limited way?

Thank you.

 

[wiltw]

I could find no user instruction nor advertising regarding the use of the AC1200 controller when NOT controlling the AC1200 head.

 

[moggi1964]

I could find no user instruction nor advertising regarding the use of the AC1200 controller when NOT controlling the AC1200 head.

Thank you so much for looking into that, it does seem to have been a specific component matchup. I'll be terribly disappointed if it doesn't work, partly the money but mostly I like the idea of these (recent) pieces of history getting used.

I'll report back and thanks again to everyone who has contributed.

 

[ic-racer]

I could find no user instruction nor advertising regarding the use of the AC1200 controller when NOT controlling the AC1200 head.

Unlike the VCNA that I am used to (Omega D5500), which automatically sets the filtration in the head with motors, the head of the AC1200 enlarger is fully manual. So the filtration values have to be set manually by reading the controller box. I don't see why those values could not be transferred to the color head of any enlarger.

 

[wiltw]

Reading the user manual PDF which I linked, discloses this:

"The negative or transparency is metered (choice of integrated or spot readings) on the projection plane with the aid of a probe before the exposure. All further operational characteristics are described in section "C") Operating functions" on page 8 of this instruction manual."
​

and includes the the COLIDESK 1200 control unit, aka ECU1200 and spot/avering probe. outside of the AC1200 user manual, there is NO reference to the Colidesk 1200!

"However, in the case of an Q~iQmQii~ ~~hi[Q~ii~~ ~~~Q~~[~ 2~2i~mL the printing light's appropriate color contents in blue, green and red are obtained by time control. After triggerIng the exposure sequence, the exposure will be started with so-called white 1 ight, i.e. there are no printing filters in the light path. As soon as the requIred color contents In blue, green or red have been obtained the appropriate prlntlng filter (yellow, magenta, cyan) swings automatically and fully into the 1 ight path (4) and reflects the corresponding color content. The exposure with this color is thus finished.
The three printing filters will swing into the light path, either sequentially or simultaneously, depending upon the length of the required exposure time (5), (6). Once the third filter (yellow, magenta or cyan) swings into the light path, the exposure sequence IS finally over. On the Durst AC 1200, the printing filter's sequential sWInging-In phase is controlled automatically."
​

So the AC1200 appears to be a subtractive head (CYM filters) but the controller decides when to swing in/out filters, either sequentiall or simultaneously, to achieve the exposure of the paper. So inherenly the head is very different from every other dichroic color head in which filter values are dialed in and remain stationary until filter values are changed.

There is a listing a control unit AC1201 for the AC1201 on eBay, sold as-is
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3730065961...8H7ydzyvHko7En8P4J0IxBtmnqVOftbwaAn1VEALw_wcB

 

[moggi1964]

WOW! So much to learn before I can understand.

There is actually a Durst 1200 for sale on eBay in the UK but I am not ready to make that leap yet

Listing

However, I have now just learned that it's different to an AC1200 (thanks Wiltw). See, so much to learn!

 

[ic-racer]

The three printing filters will swing into the light path, either sequentially or simultaneously, depending upon the length of the required exposure time

Interesting. I don't recall ever seeing an automated head in 4x5 by Durst, but they must have made one.

 

[wiltw]

Interesting. I don't recall ever seeing an automated head in 4x5 by Durst, but they must have made one.

...the head of the AC1200 automated system!

 

[moggi1964]

It's here. Haven't plugged it in yet. It looks in good condition.

I'll be back shortly with more info and pictures.

 

[moggi1964]

So here's what came with it.

 

[moggi1964]

And here are the parts that weren't visible in the early image I posted if I recall.

 

[moggi1964]

But is anyone not surprised to find out that there isn't a place for a power supply, absolutely nowhere that one would be plugged in to the unit or exit the unit.

More research is necessary!

Ideas are welcomed

 

[mpirie]

From memory (mines packed away since it's not working) there's a cable from the controller to the PSU....like a large scart multi-plug.

Then there's a cable from the head to the PSU too, so the controller activates the PSU for the lamp and shutter in the head.

Looks like yours could come from the automated processor rather than the AC1201 like mine?

Mike

 

[moggi1964]

From memory (mines packed away since it's not working) there's a cable from the controller to the PSU....like a large scart multi-plug.

Then there's a cable from the head to the PSU too, so the controller activates the PSU for the lamp and shutter in the head.

Looks like yours could come from the automated processor rather than the AC1201 like mine?

Mike

Thanks Mike.

There is an AC 1200 not far from me for sale on eBay but it says untested with no return so I am a little wary though it looks in decent condition.

I'm now stuck thinking I either sell the unit on as untested and try to get my money back or I invest the money (around £350-£400) and buy this local AC1200 and hope it all works.

I'm not even certain everything I need (bar the bits and pieces) are included in the one on eBay.

This unit does have pretty coloured buttons though

 

[ic-racer]

You might consider selling the controller and all those goodies to someone with an AC 1200. For example, I use the automated Omega D5500 system and can't have too many controllers. I have 3 presently. Two in service, one working spare and a non-working one for parts.