Enlarger aligning tool/laser request

[brian steinberger]

I was wondering if anyone had a laser enlarging aligning tool that I would be able to borrow to align my enlarger. I'm in the process of aligning my enlarger and have done so to the best of my ability using all means that I have. I would certainly pay for shipping both ways and also some extra for the kind cooperation.

Anyone?

 

[Mike Wilde]

Consider my low tech option.

Place a black film leader etc in the negative carrier, emulson side up. With a pin, scratch the emulsion off around the edge of the carrier, ensuring that film is held firmly in place while doing so. Take the film out of the carrier and use a steel ruler, scribe in diagonals across from corners of the rectangle or square that you scribed. sweep off the emulsion burs.

Put this test neg the regualr way, emuson down, in the neg carrier, and project it.

Check for sharpness of image, measure the length of the sides, etc to check for things all being the same length, etc.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Brian

I have a laser aligner that would work. I would be willing for this to happen if you are covering the fedx, insurance and get it back to me within a four day period.

Bob

I was wondering if anyone had a laser enlarging aligning tool that I would be able to borrow to align my enlarger. I'm in the process of aligning my enlarger and have done so to the best of my ability using all means that I have. I would certainly pay for shipping both ways and also some extra for the kind cooperation.

Anyone?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I was wondering if anyone had a laser enlarging aligning tool that I would be able to borrow to align my enlarger. I'm in the process of aligning my enlarger and have done so to the best of my ability using all means that I have. I would certainly pay for shipping both ways and also some extra for the kind cooperation.

Anyone?

Have you considered making your own?

All you need is to buy a small laser module and make a wood housing for it. Add three screws as feet and off you go. Works perfect.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Brian,

I have one but am in Afghanistan and it is in the UK.... However, I strongly recommend you get one permanently. It is the best thing I have ever bought for my darkroom. One thing a lot of people dont realise is that alignment changes as you rack up the head as not only will the leverage be different, but the column may not be 100% straight (i.e fractionally curved). These differences mean nothing most of the time, but if you are ever going to do large prints from 35mm i.e. large enlargement ratio and cannot stop down too far due to exposure times getting too long, it is such a valuable tool.

I intend to get a 45 APO f4 or APO rodagon to allow me to print at wider apertures for 20x16s off 35mm (to reduce times) but this means perfect and I mean perfect alignment is essential if you want crunchy grain right into the corners.

 

[brian steinberger]

Mike, this is what I've done so far. I got it very very close.

Ralph and Tom, I have considered making one. I figured this would be a quicker option for right now. Maybe in the future.

 

[brian steinberger]

Brian

I have a laser aligner that would work. I would be willing for this to happen if you are covering the fedx, insurance and get it back to me within a four day period.

Bob

Bob, email sent.