Durst Laborator 1200 - Anyone using one?

[Roger Thoms]

You might contact Barry Neuhard at Dead Link Removed. Barry works on Durst products. He repaired a power supply for a CLS 500 head that had burnt up. I was very pleased with the work.

Roger

 

[5stringdeath]

Thanks .. I've received numerous good places to get it repaired .. I guess what I'm still trying to do is troubleshoot / fix it myself for free, because it was free. I have limited funds right now for photo hardware, and this is way at the bottom of my priority list .. fund wise.

 

[Bob F.]

Thanks .. I've received numerous good places to get it repaired .. I guess what I'm still trying to do is troubleshoot / fix it myself for free, because it was free. I have limited funds right now for photo hardware, and this is way at the bottom of my priority list .. fund wise.

Do you know what diodes and bridge-rectifiers look like, electrolytic capacitors and the different types of ICs? If no, don't bother: you could make it worse by zapping working components.

If yes, start at the beginning (electrically speaking) and look for any fuses inside the casing and on the circuit board. Check the power supply voltages. In the absence of a workshop manual with the circuit diagram etc, measure the voltages across any large PSU capacitors and the digital components. Unplug and re-plug any connectors one at a time. Sniff the board - is there a sickly/sweet smell that speaks of burnt-out transformers or inductors? Are any of the power supply capacitors leaking or looking bloated?

You can probably download the data sheet from the manufacturer's website for any chips including the inevitable microcontroller on the board which will tell you the power supply pins. Be VERY careful not to short out adjacent pins.

Frankly, if it's not the power supply then it is almost certainly too complex a problem to be fixed without experience of board-level troubleshooting and the necessary tools and equipment.

Good luck.

 

[ic-racer]

I know with the Omega closed loop system a garbled display can indicate the A/D converter (ADC0818CCN) is bad. With the Omega controllers, all the ICs are in sockets, so swapping them is easy.

You will probably need the schematic and service manual to repair this. While waiting for those, if you check it out, look for the usual stuff, like signs of component overheating etc. You can also check those connector cables for continuity and good connection.

 

[Willie Jan]

When I decided to get a 1200, i bought one with a condensor head. Because there is only a bulb inside, it will last beyond me. Before I used a multigrade head, but since there is electronic inside, there will come a time that it stops working...

 

[fotod69]

I am setting up a B&W wet darkroom and have an opportunity to acquire one of these enlargers (with a color head). Any who have had experience with these, I'd appreciate hearing about the pros and cons. Will be printing 35mm to 4X5. Currently have a Beseler 45V-XL and will have room for two in the darkroom, if I decided to do so. Thanks, Bill Barber

I've been using a Durst L1200 with a 501 color head for 20 years with printing fine art BW prints and it is the finest enlarger I've ever used. I aligned it 17 years ago and is still in perfect alignment. The light source is absolutely even and the ND adjustment is invaluable. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one and mine is certailnly one of my most valued pieces of photographic equipment.

Dennis

 

[RMB10]

Anyone using the Laborator 1200 with a CLS500 head? Is it pretty much the same as the CLS450 in terms of quality?

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Anyone using the Laborator 1200 with a CLS500 head? Is it pretty much the same as the CLS450 in terms of quality?

I think there may be a few people on the UK 'Film and Darkroom User' forum who use the Laborator 1200 enlargers. Sorry to not be of more help as I have De Vere machines.

Tom

 

[mpirie]

I think the main difference between the CLS450 and CLS500 is the inclusion of an ND filter on the CLS500.

Quality-wise i'd say they were exactly the same.

Mike

 

[RMB10]

Thank you! Great to know!