Durst M601, Paterson PCS2500 - adjusting contrast

Laci Toth · Aug 9, 2019

Hi everyone,

I’m pretty new to enlargers and the whole darkroom; I’ve been only used them twice. I was quite delighted today as I’m just about to set up my own darkroom and at the local folk house there were a Durst M601 and a Paterson PCS 2500 enlarger to take away for free. As they’re there for a few days they told me I can take both as they’ll get rid of them anyway. So I took them.
They’re all fine just need a but of cleaning but I’m wondering how to adjust the contrast? I only used colour LPL on those two sessions and it was obvious but here I can’t find the knobs and I’m thinking what should be the method?

Thanks for reading!

Laci

Michael Firstlight · Aug 9, 2019

The Durst M601 is a terrific enlarger - was my 2nd enlarger after my Bogen T-35; I had the M601 for 40 years until I went to 6x7 and 4x5 and moved up to LPL 4550 XLG. The Durst is solid and reliable and typically used for films sizes from 35mm to 6x6. Most M601's are condenser types unless you add the color head and it becomes a diffusion enlarger if my recollection is correct. The condensers will give you a bit more contrast, but you can just use different paper grades or use multi-grade paper with an inexpensive set of polycontrast filters (holder mounts to the bottom of the lens).

Mike

Laci Toth · Aug 9, 2019

Hey Mike,

Thanks very much indeed! I’ve just seen a set of pc filters so I might give them a go.

koraks · Aug 9, 2019

If neither enlarger has a color head installed, you'll need a set of multigrade filters (or a blue and a green filter, and go for split grade). In case you are looking for more info on your 'Paterson' unit - it's in fact a Philips enlarger (PCS130). Nice find.

MattKing · Aug 9, 2019

Welcome to Photrio.
A Durst M601 is an excellent enlarger, assuming it is in good shape and it has all the necessary accessories - lens, lens mount, negative holder.
The reference to "Polycontrast" filters is more accurately a reference to filters made by Kodak for the no longer manufactured Kodak variable contrast ("Polycontrast") papers.
Those filters will, if in good shape, work with current variable contrast/multigrade papers, like the excellent papers made under the Ilford brand name by Harman Technology. I would suggest, however, that a new set of Ilford Multigrade filters would be a really good purchase, rather than an old, maybe faded, Polycontrast set.
With good filters and some good paper, you are in for loads of fun.

Laci Toth · Aug 10, 2019

Thanks for the quick and accurate responses from all of you!

Meanwhile I found the manual as Philips PCS 130 and was very useful though there’re still some grey spots. It’s not that clear if I need to use a heat filter or not. I’d like to use it for 6x6 and 35mill as well though the main focus is on the medium format. What happens if I won’t use a heat filter as it didn’t come with the enlarger?

Also as I see if I’d like to use multigrade filters it seems that it goes to the same place where the heat filter should be. Is it possible to use the two together at the same place at the same time? As I can’t see any places where I could place the filters unless below the lens how the heat will affect the filters or will it?

I couldn’t find at the moment the right condenser for enlarging 6x6 as I need the bottom F135 condenser. Are there any tricks which could bridge this gap till I’m looking for the item?

Its cable has a very weird plug which make me think that it connects to another cable or an exposure timer itself.

I haven’t cleaned the Durst yet but this Paterson is in near mint condition which is encouraging.

koraks · Aug 10, 2019

The cable looks like a proprietary one that is supposed to plug into a power supply unit; I hope/assume it came with the enlarger?

The filters under the lens are fine and convenient; I'd just try that. I don't think you need the heat shield. I'm afraid that for 6x6 you need the appropriate condensor as otherwise you'll likely not get even illumination across the entire image; you can just try it out and see if it works or not.

Laci Toth · Aug 10, 2019

koraks said:
The cable looks like a proprietary one that is supposed to plug into a power supply unit; I hope/assume it came with the enlarger?

The filters under the lens are fine and convenient; I'd just try that. I don't think you need the heat shield. I'm afraid that for 6x6 you need the appropriate condensor as otherwise you'll likely not get even illumination across the entire image; you can just try it out and see if it works or not.

Thanks for you response!

No, there was no power supply and the Durst has a weird plug as well, so I’ve to get those as well then.
I was thinking if there’s no heat shield the negs might suffer some damage, but if that’s a filter tray also they might not. But to place them below the lens seems way more convenient.
Yes, I’m already searching for condensers for both as I realized that both were for 35mm only.

koraks · Aug 10, 2019

You may end up finding it's both cheaper and easier to get another enlarger altogether than to find the power supplies for these. You could check which voltage the bulb runs on and see if you can find a generic/Meanwell power supply to match it and rewire the enlarger. But the disadvantage is that those pervasive switching power supplies generally have some output capacitance that causes an afterglow of the bulb which you have to take into account when making test strips. All considered, it's a bit of a bummer that apparently neither of your enlargers is complete.

Laci Toth · Aug 10, 2019

Yeah, I’m going rounds in my room and thought the same that it might be better to get a complete one and give these away. Though since then I’ve checked the Durst as well and it’s in pretty good shape, the lens has scratches but the other lens from the PCS fits in, so seems that only the power supply is missing and would serve well.

darkroommike · Aug 18, 2019

Michael Firstlight said:
The Durst M601 is a terrific enlarger - was my 2nd enlarger after my Bogen T-35; I had the M601 for 40 years until I went to 6x7 and 4x5 and moved up to LPL 4550 XLG. The Durst is solid and reliable and typically used for films sizes from 35mm to 6x6. Most M601's are condenser types unless you add the color head and it becomes a diffusion enlarger if my recollection is correct. The condensers will give you a bit more contrast, but you can just use different paper grades or use multi-grade paper with an inexpensive set of polycontrast filters (holder mounts to the bottom of the lens).

Mike

The M601 will also accept even cheaper 3x3 filters in the filter drawer above the condensers or mixing box. I used to own two, also my second enlarger, my first was a slightly bigger Bogen, the 635. I still have one.

darkroommike · Aug 18, 2019

It's beginning to sound like both enlargers are missing the power supplies, by any chance does the Durst have the CLS 66 head? If so you need a dedicated power supply there, too. The Durst is easy to convert but you do need the correct pieces.

Laci Toth · Aug 18, 2019

Since then I found an LPL C6700 in mint condition with a few other darkroom accessories for 60 quid and I think as it’s a bit pricey to get all the things for the Durst and the PCS way more than to buy one which is fully working I sell them as parts.
Thanks everyone for the thoughts, were useful, I again learned something new!

ic-racer · Aug 18, 2019

By the cord it looks like you have a PCS 150. Is that correct? My PCS 150 shows "130" on the front also, but this may be because the light sources between the two are interchangeable. See in the picture the PCS 150 light source in my enlarger with "130" on the front.

If you can convert yours back to the PCS 130 (light bulb), it won't require a power supply any more.

Laci Toth · Aug 19, 2019

Oh, thanks! I appreciate it!
I might try this and see how I get along with it!

Durst M601, Paterson PCS2500 - adjusting contrast

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