Durst LAGRANEG negative carrier for the Durst L184

Would anyone happen to know anything about this piece of equipment?

Which inserts or glass it takes? How it works? Hints and tips?

Any information would be greatly appreciated from anyone who knows about, uses —or, has used— this carrier!

As far as I can tell, the LAGRANEG is not mentioned in either the L184 or the L1840 manuals, L184 brochure, L1840 Brochure or my 1987 Durst Price list. If you have this item you know more about it than anyone probably.

ic-racer said:

As far as I can tell, the LAGRANEG is not mentioned in either the L184 or the L1840 manuals, L184 brochure, L1840 Brochure or my 1987 Durst Price list. If you have this item you know more about it than anyone probably.

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Great to know, ic-racer . . . too bad it's not something I can put on my resume!

But seriously, when I finally do find out more about this mystery negative carrier, I'll post it here so that anyone else on the planet who comes across this Durst "orphan" won't have to go through the same sherlockholmesing* I'm currently doing (*yes, I've just invented that word and the beauty of English is that most readers who know the language will understand immediately!).

I believe that once Jens Jensen sees a photo of it, he may know something about it. We'll see.

This was a second-generation two-piece pin register 10x10 carrier. Most 184's had the previous version. Glass is still obviously available from
outfits like Focal Point if you can't find original Durst. But loosing for carriers of a matching punch (if needed) might be futile. You can try
dealing with Jens. I'm sure he'll take your money. After that, good luck!

DREW WILEY said:

This was a second-generation two-piece pin register 10x10 carrier. Most 184's had the previous version. Glass is still obviously available from
outfits like Focal Point if you can't find original Durst. But loosing for carriers of a matching punch (if needed) might be futile. You can try
dealing with Jens. I'm sure he'll take your money. After that, good luck!

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Ahhh.. great thanks, Drew, for the very helpful info on the lagraneg. (BTW, How did you come by this information?)

As well, I take it from your comment (and several I've seen in the forums dealing with Durst) that Mr. Jensen's prices are expensive. Well, this is my first effort to get my "big boy" Durst up and running, so this is good to know, but I'm already aware that the previous version of my carrier (the laraneg) sells for $600.00 to $800.00, used; or a re-manufactured model for $1,300.00. Therefore, if he has what I need and I can't find it elsewhere, I guess I may have to sell my neighbor's car for the cash . . . or maybe I could just make a carrier out of cardboard, as we did in my high school photography class (Oh that's a good idea for an 8x10 carrier!)

However, price aside, it's good to know that someone is still (re)manufacturing this equipment. Maybe someday I'll see something I can afford!

Christopher Nisperos said:

. . . or maybe I could just make a carrier out of cardboard, as we did in my high school photography class...

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I have a friend with a home-made plywood negative carrier for his L184 (its packed away in storage now, so I can’t get any pics). It did look somewhat rough, but he produced some good work with it.

I have heard of the Lagraneg when I was assembling the parts for my Laraneg, but I can't find any mention of the Lagraneg in any literature I have for the L184 , L1800, or L1840. Please post some pics of your Lagraneg for a comparison.

I'm a little confused, if you have a Lagraneg and it is as Drew mentions, why would you need a Laraneg? Or what exactly is the issue with the Lagraneg?

resummerfield said:

I have a friend with a home-made plywood negative carrier for his L184 (its packed away in storage now, so I can’t get any pics). It did look somewhat rough, but he produced some good work with it.

I have heard of the Lagraneg when I was assembling the parts for my Laraneg, but I can't find any mention of the Lagraneg in any literature I have for the L184 , L1800, or L1840. Please post some pics of your Lagraneg for a comparison.

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Thanks, resummerfield. Believe it or not, I'd be very interested in seeing some photos of that wooden carrier, just in case . . .
I'll be posting photos in the post below this one, to clarify a question ic-racer has asked me. Thanks again . . .

ic-racer said:

I'm a little confused, if you have a Lagraneg and it is as Drew mentions, why would you need a Laraneg? Or what exactly is the issue with the Lagraneg?

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Hi ic-racer,

Sorry I wasn't clear enough: I have a LAGRANEG, but from a photo I saw on Jen Jensen's website, it seems identical to a LARANEG. Below, are a few photos I took of my LAGRANEG today (basically the same ones I've posted on LFP, plus two more).

The second photo is of the bottom side of the unit and it shows one of the two plastic lock-down knobs used to secure an internal frame which can be slid around a bit, allowing you to re-position the image on the easel (since you can't rotate the entire negative carrier as you could on, say, an Omega 4x5).

As well, I'd guess that this holder is part of a pin-register system. Would you agree?

There's an insert or carrier stuck inside this monster's mouth, from what I can gather. You can see the problem in the last photo —I photographed it with some paper arrows I inserted to make it easier to see the two levels of metal. Would you know how I can extract it without hurting the equipment?

KHB Photografix carry Durst parts. Start there. http://www.khbphotografix.com/

Also talk to Terry at Northern Photo in England. Northernphoto.co.uk

He has some stock parts left.

Kevin at KHB has a few 5x7 and 8x10 Dursts in his shop, which are waiting for him to refurbish. He does prefer Devere however.

From the pictures it looks like a Laraneg that has some modifications such that it will fit on a L184 chassis. (It does fit on your enlarger, yes?) Instructions for the Laraneg are in the L1840 manual.( http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_Laborator_1840.pdf )

Push the negative holder in slightly against the spring, then the locking lever should spring up and the negative holder will come out.

If you need registration, there may be pins inside the negative holder, but you will need to locate the appropriate Durst punch.

Guess you got your answer on both forums how to release the inner tray. But overall, it looks like the system needs a tuneup and some new light baffle materials. The release lock might just need a bit of fresh lube. I just finished refurbishing an older style carrier and tray. Heavier
and bulkier than yours, but now functionally and even cosmetically as new. Next I'm going to trick it out to match my own existing 8x10 punch and register system, then on to my 5x7 version for a different enlarger. Fun projects if one is not in a hurry.

The Lagraneg looks like an early version of the Laraneg, or a later version of the Grane 205 that was used on the L184. I have attached an excerpt from the L184 manual detailing the Grane 205. Interesting how the name GRANE morphed into LA grane G.

Your Lagraneg looks complete, except for possibly the glass. Just clean it and use it!

ic-racer said:

From the pictures it looks like a Laraneg that has some modifications such that it will fit on a L184 chassis. (It does fit on your enlarger, yes?) Instructions for the Laraneg are in the L1840 manual.( http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_Laborator_1840.pdf )

Push the negative holder in slightly against the spring, then the locking lever should spring up and the negative holder will come out.

If you need registration, there may be pins inside the negative holder, but you will need to locate the appropriate Durst punch.

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Late thank you on this, ic-racer and resummerfield ... as Drew mentioned, yes, I've been on the other forum too on this, trying to find a rapid answer ... I've finally found some affordable glass which should arrive any day now .. Thanks again, to all.

shoot6x7 said:

Also talk to Terry at Northern Photo in England. Northernphoto.co.uk

He has some stock parts left.

Kevin at KHB has a few 5x7 and 8x10 Dursts in his shop, which are waiting for him to refurbish. He does prefer Devere however.

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Forgot to thank you, shoot6X7, for this suggestion .. In fact, I called Northern Photo and KHB immediately after reading it, but they had already closed for the day. Then, I coincidentally found one piece of glass online (the anti-Newton side), but I'll still looking for the non-AN piece, so I'll try to contact those two sources again. To be sure, Focal Point in the U.S. has what I need (now that I know what that is: DURST REGLAS 205), but by the time I add the cost of shipping it to Europe, the total blows my mind.. So, first, I'll try to find it here, in Europe. Therefore, thanks again.

By the way, if any European based colleauges are reading this and know where I can find this DURST glass at a reasonable price here on the continent or from the UK, you're welcome to PM me!