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Press Info from: 18.07.2006
Durst calls time on production of enlargers
After 70 years and countless technical innovations, Durst calls time on production of enlargers
Durst Phototechnik AG in Brixen has been making enlargers since 1936 - first for the professional market and then, from 1950, increasingly for dark room aficionados. Production peaked in 1979, when 107,000 units were produced and sold, but the rapid spread of minilabs and improvements in the service provided by the imaging sector caused a gradual drop-off in production from 1982 onwards. During the entire period, Durst remained the global market leader and a major innovator.
During those 70 years over 500 patents for enlargers were filed, including for groundbreaking features such as the dichroic filter, the electronic integration of light measurement and colour calibration, the closed-loop system, etc. Even now, when we are only producing digital equipment, such as Lambdas, Thetas and inkjet printers, we are always coming across people who know us from their student days. "I always wanted a Durst enlarger - it's the Rolls-Royce of enlargement technology! But I could never afford one!", is what they say.
So on 31st July 2006, after 70 years, we will cease production of enlargers, as for years now annual sales have been minimal, running at below four figures. Of course, accessories and spare parts will still be available for some years to come they can be bought via our online store, as fewer and fewer dealers are stocking them because they turn over so slowly.
We wish to thank all our customers, hobby photographers and graphic artists for their loyalty. It was a wonderful time - talking about colour dodging, exposure times and colour calibration. We shall miss you, but commercial reasons have forced us to take this decision. We do hope you understand.
Durst Phototechnik AG
Executive Board
Durst calls time on production of enlargers
After 70 years and countless technical innovations, Durst calls time on production of enlargers
Durst Phototechnik AG in Brixen has been making enlargers since 1936 - first for the professional market and then, from 1950, increasingly for dark room aficionados. Production peaked in 1979, when 107,000 units were produced and sold, but the rapid spread of minilabs and improvements in the service provided by the imaging sector caused a gradual drop-off in production from 1982 onwards. During the entire period, Durst remained the global market leader and a major innovator.
During those 70 years over 500 patents for enlargers were filed, including for groundbreaking features such as the dichroic filter, the electronic integration of light measurement and colour calibration, the closed-loop system, etc. Even now, when we are only producing digital equipment, such as Lambdas, Thetas and inkjet printers, we are always coming across people who know us from their student days. "I always wanted a Durst enlarger - it's the Rolls-Royce of enlargement technology! But I could never afford one!", is what they say.
So on 31st July 2006, after 70 years, we will cease production of enlargers, as for years now annual sales have been minimal, running at below four figures. Of course, accessories and spare parts will still be available for some years to come they can be bought via our online store, as fewer and fewer dealers are stocking them because they turn over so slowly.
We wish to thank all our customers, hobby photographers and graphic artists for their loyalty. It was a wonderful time - talking about colour dodging, exposure times and colour calibration. We shall miss you, but commercial reasons have forced us to take this decision. We do hope you understand.
Durst Phototechnik AG
Executive Board
