Durst L1200 enlarger

[Norman Christie]

I have recently bought this 5x4 enlarger from a studio giving up analogue processing. It has an Ilford 500 head and controls.
I have been setting it up as a 35mm enlarger bit have discovered that I cannot get a decent enlarged output on the base board. It was supplied with a 90mm lens and I am trying to use 40mm and 50mm lens.
Does anyone know if I need to change the lens board to get the lens to focus and enlarge.

 

[MichaelBriggs]

You need to use a recessed lensboard with 50 mm and shorter lenses. The bellows can't compress enough to focus a short lens with a regular flat lensboard. The lensboard that you need is the "Setopla 2839". This version has the 39 mm Leica threads that are used on almost all enlarging lenses. In the meantime, you can probably get by with the 90 mm lens.

 

[jd callow]

Michael is correct. There are 2 recessed lens boards one for 50mm and another for 80mm.

In addition to this there are 2 ways to compress the bellows. First is the hand knob, which moves the lens stage along the rails. The second is the fine focus arm which compresses the rails.

With the 50mm or 40mm try compressing the bellows as far as it will go with the knob and then use the fine focus arm to further compress the belows. It should work.

 

[Bob F.]

"cannot get a decent enlarged output on the base board" what exactly do you mean? Is it not focussing OK or is it too dim (or both)?

Although I have had two L1200 (with colour heads, not the Ilford 500) that are happy to focus 50mm lenses without a recessed panel, there have been a few slightly different versions over the years so it's quite possible yours needs the recessed lens panel as suggested. If the bellows hit minimum before it focusses, then you need one. If you can focus for small size enlargements but not at larger ones, then you need one.

Also, one of my L1200s had an optional unit that replaces the Femoboxes with the units from the smaller series equipment for smaller formats (Bimabox) so you may have that. Also, if a Femotub is fitted to the lens panel, remove it.

If it is too dim, then do you have the 35mm mixing box (Femobox 35N) or are you using the 4x5 mixer (Femobox 45N)? If using the 4x5 mixing box then a lot of light is being wasted and it will be dimmer on the baseboard. If using the 6x9cm mixer (Femobox 69N) then less is wasted, but still some. I'm sure the names make more sense in Italian... possibly...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Dave Miller]

I've just tried mine with a 50mm lens, and cannot focus it without using the recessed lens panel. As Michael said, try using the 90mm that you have. The point Bob made about the light box is valid also. Trying to print 35mm with a 5x4 lightbox will result in long exposures.

 

[Wally Ip]

I have a slightly off-topic question about the L1200 (it is a L1200 BW). How difficult is it to take the head off the column, and the column off the base? I am trying to ship the unit and have found that it is astronomical to ship it in one piece. Thanks,

 

[MichaelBriggs]

I have a slightly off-topic question about the L1200 (it is a L1200 BW). How difficult is it to take the head off the column, and the column off the base? I am trying to ship the unit and have found that it is astronomical to ship it in one piece. Thanks,

To take the column off of the baseboard, you just undo the bolts that go through the baseboard.

You can remove the light source from the portion of the head that moves up and down the column, but it isn't intended for it to be possible for the user to fully disassemble the enlarger. You have to leave part of the head on the column. Detaching the spring from the L1200 could be dangerous.

Directions for removing the light source are at the end of a previous thread: (there was a url link here which no longer exists). "When you remove the head, be sure to follow the warning on the side of the chassis: "Lock before removing head". This is so that spring doesn't cause the sliding part to fly upwards. As an additional precaution, I prefer to remove the head with the head at full elevation, so that it can't slide upwards."

 

[Bob F.]

I have a slightly off-topic question about the L1200 (it is a L1200 BW). How difficult is it to take the head off the column, and the column off the base? I am trying to ship the unit and have found that it is astronomical to ship it in one piece. Thanks,

To paraphrase the PM I just sent, the baseboard comes off easily by unscrewing the five bolts underneath the baseboard but removing the head carriage mechanism is a risky business that I have not tried. The head itself unscrews from the carriage mechanism with half a dozen screws along the back/side edges.

Perhaps someone has a workshop manual and can advise further?

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Dave Miller]

The enlarger comes apart quite easily, but be very careful of the head counterbalance spring. Make sure you move the head to the top of the column before either dismantling the head, or laying the enlarger on it’s back to get at the 5 column bolts Bob mentioned.
On mine I can remove the column by undoing the 2 bolts at the front base of the column, this is easier than taking out the five bolts from the underside, but you will need help to hold the column as you do so.

 

[Bob F.]

The enlarger comes apart quite easily, but be very careful of the head counterbalance spring. Make sure you move the head to the top of the column before either dismantling the head, or laying the enlarger on it’s back to get at the 5 column bolts Bob mentioned.
On mine I can remove the column by undoing the 2 bolts at the front base of the column, this is easier than taking out the five bolts from the underside, but you will need help to hold the column as you do so.

LOL - that brings back memories of me trying to balance this top heavy monster on my own when I made the mistake of unbolting the plate at the bottom (mine has 4 bolts) while the enlarger was upright - all was fine until the last bolt came out and then.... HEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!

 

[Dave Miller]

LOL - that brings back memories of me trying to balance this top heavy monster on my own when I made the mistake of unbolting the plate at the bottom (mine has 4 bolts) while the enlarger was upright - all was fine until the last bolt came out and then.... HEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!

Been there, done that; and got the hernia to prove it. Next time I will dismantle and remove the head first, just to lighten the load a little.

 

[Wally Ip]

LOL - that brings back memories of me trying to balance this top heavy monster on my own when I made the mistake of unbolting the plate at the bottom (mine has 4 bolts) while the enlarger was upright - all was fine until the last bolt came out and then.... HEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!

Thanks Michael, Bob and Dave. Your advice saved me a lot of headache and anxiety. The head came off the L1200 without a hitch.

Happy New Year!
Wally