Durst and Kaiser color head: Condenser or diffusion?

[jumanji]

Please let me know the color head of Durst enlarger (M805, M605, etc...) is condenser or diffusion light source?
Same question with Kaiser enlarger.

Thanks.

 

[paul_c5x4]

Rule of thumb: Colour heads are diffusion light sources.

Both the Durst and Kaiser heads will be diffusion sources - You can get condenser heads, but if you wish to do colour work, you would have to use filters.

 

[miha]

All Kaiser V-Sytem enlargers (colour, multigrade, B&W) are of the condensor type. It's what makes them unique. There is a diffusor plate between the bulb and the double condensor. But a true condensor enlarger anables it's bulb to be collimated and the bulb filament focused in the condensor plane which Kaiser can't do.

 

[jumanji]

Thanks, and not really Paul. So the Kaiser is kinda hybrid light source. Similar to the Meochrome head I've used before. It has mixing chamber, but the light still travels thru a condenser.
What's about the Durst's?

 

[AgX]

All Kaiser V-Sytem enlargers (colour, multigrade, B&W) are of the condensor type. It's what makes them unique. There is a diffusor plate between the bulb and the double condensor. But a true condensor enlarger anables it's bulb to be collimated and the bulb filament focused in the condensor plane which Kaiser can't do.

The Kaiser colour (and b&W multigrade) heads got a

bulb / sliding-filter assembly / mixing chamber / condensor / lens

design

 

[jumanji]

How does it deal with dust/spot as well as callier effect on dense area of the negative? Those are two things I hate about condenser light source, especially the callier effect.
The Meochrome head has a similar design, but the lamp was dead so I havent had a chance to do a comparison.

The Kaiser colour (and b&W multigrade) heads got a

bulb / sliding-filter assembly / mixing chamber / condensor / lens

design

 

[AgX]

The light "source" is the diffusion chamber. The condensor cannot make the light into directed light again.

 

[jumanji]

So basically it's diffused? And the condenser make it more even?

 

[AgX]

Dunco who use a similar design for their heads call it "half-diffused". What I only could understand if there was an unobstructed point light source plus added diffus reflected light.


What is missing is a side-by-side test showing prints of the same negative in point-light and large bulb condensor lighting, mixed condensor lighting, mixing chamber condensor lighting and pure mixing chamber lighting.

 

[miha]

So basically it's diffused? And the condenser make it more even?

You still reach collimated light but with a true condenser unit the condenser focuses light (the filament) in an angle that creates a cone of light that is the exact same size as the f/stop opening of the lens so that no light gets wasted. This is called Köhler illumination.

 

[jumanji]

Sounds like a comparison test would be best, but its just a pain to purchase all three enlargers...
Anyone has an idea about the Durst color head? Pure diffusion or also hybrid?

 

[miha]

Difussion.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_M805.pdf

 

[jumanji]

Great! Thank you.