Enlarger bulbs / condenser v cold light

Old Willow

H
Old Willow

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
SteelHead Falls

A
SteelHead Falls

  • 2
  • 0
  • 8
Navajo Nation

H
Navajo Nation

  • 1
  • 1
  • 15
Oranges

A
Oranges

  • 4
  • 0
  • 104
Charging Station

A
Charging Station

  • 0
  • 0
  • 96

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,119
Messages
2,769,919
Members
99,565
Latest member
DerKarsten
Recent bookmarks
1

dpurdy

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
2,673
Location
Portland OR
Format
8x10 Format
For 30 years now I have printed with an Aristo Variable contrast cold light on my Beseler 45MCRX. That head seems to be giving up the ghost. I also have a regular Aristo cold light as well as my original Beseler condenser head, which has a 6 inch slot for putting in filters above the negative stage.

I have been printing the last week with the condenser and laying 3.5 inch filters on top the film holder. The bulb in this head is a very old 75 watt incandescent bulb. I want to get a new or couple of new bulbs and I wonder if the light technology has changed so that there is a better or best type bulb to buy. I see in B&H there are a few different brands and sizes and brightness and light temperature... as in color. They have a bulb that is 250 watts as well as a 150 watt bulb and the dimmer 75 watt bulb. They also show a heat absorbing glass I could put in.

Can someone advise me on the best way to go? Is there such a thing as an LED made for this normal medium base bulb. I see on B&H that one brand of bulb is smaller, would that have an even lighting problem?

thanks
Dennis
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,513
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
Yes, change it. The black splotches that incandescent lamps can acquire can cause unevenness in a condenser system. Get some extra bulbs while they are still available. Make sure you get 'enlarger' bulbs that have even frosting. The globe of the lamp is actually projected by the condensers as an image to the negative stage. So irregularities and markings on the lamp can show in your prints. . Stick with 75 watts if that has worked well for you. Only go for a higher wattage if it indicates it is OK in the owners manual. Otherwise you can run in to heat or fire danger.
 
OP
OP
dpurdy

dpurdy

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
2,673
Location
Portland OR
Format
8x10 Format
Thanks ic-racer. I looked at the enlarger and it states 150 watt bulb max. So I went ahead and bought a few. They are pretty cheap.
Dennis
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
3,582
Location
Eugene, Oregon
Format
4x5 Format
IIRC, Aristo will still make replacement tubes for their cold-light heads on a special-order basis. There's contact info on the forum here somewhere if you're interested.

Doremus
 

Tebbiebear

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2012
Messages
48
Location
Iowa
Format
Medium Format
IIRC a couple of years a go a few people here did quite a bit of testing and found a common LED bulb that was very well suited for enlarger duties. I will search and try to find the thread.

ETA: I have looked but have been unable to find the thread I was talking about. Perhaps it was a different forum or site completely. If I find it I will post it here.
 
Last edited:

silveror0

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2007
Messages
364
Location
Seattle area, WA
Format
Large Format
IIRC, Aristo will still make replacement tubes for their cold-light heads on a special-order basis. There's contact info on the forum here somewhere if you're interested.

Doremus

You might try this contact for Aristo replacement tubes:


Louise M. Kessler
Voltarc Technologies/Aristo Lighting Technologies, Inc.
Specialty Products Group
400 Captain Neville Dr
Waterbury, Connecticut 06705
e-mail: Louise.Kessler@voltarc.com
Ph: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom