Enlarger for dummies?

[athanasius80]

Hello,
I know very little about enlargers beyond knowing how to use most of them. I want a good, compact enlarger that will accomodate 6x9cm negatives and be small enough that I can move it in and out of my bathroom darkroom. I know Besseler 23Cs are good, but could I realistically find anything smaller? Thanks for all imput, APUG rocks!
Chris

 

[Canuck]

I recall that Durst use to make serveral models including a 6x9 version that was reasonably compact. They were nice and solid but make sure you can get all the neg carriers with it as they were/are a pain to try and get.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

My favorite 6x9 enlarger is the Meopta Magnifax 4 (don't know if this is available in the US). The Magnifax column fits into a drop-in socket on the baseboard and lifts out easily, the carrier stage and head can also be removed by loosening one handwheel and replaced without loss of alignment. Choice of condenser, color or multigrade heads.

Regards,

David

 

[Neal]

Dear Chris,

The key (I've found) to a bathroom/darkroom setup is to create time saving constructions. I used to carry an Omega DII in and out (I am not advocating that you do this.<g>) but it was not a problem because I made a sturdy stand that could be folded and put away in the closet next to the enlarger.

Neal Wydra

 

[TPPhotog]

My favourite is the Meopta Opemus 5a but I''m biased as that's what I use and yep I'm a dummy My wife calls my darkroom the kitchen ... silly girl.

 

[Blighty]

Durst do a model for 6x9 negs. The M805. However I'm not sure this is a particularly compact model. Then again, having not seen the other makes, I may be talking utter moo-poo. BLIGHTY

 

[dancqu]

At 6x6 or 6x7 you'd have much more luck.
If space is a problem give one-tray processing
a try. Chemistry can be one-shot or reuse. Dan

 

[Woolliscroft]

6 x 9 and compact don't really go together very easily, but as others have said the Meoptas come to pieces very easily and you can fit the whole lot along with a timer and colour analyser in the box the enlarger came in.

David.

 

[esearing]

If shooting only B&W and dont mind lack of features the old Federal enlargers are made in 4x5 or smaller sizes and are very light weight and small in size. Not to mention, Cheap.

 

[dr bob]

I recommend the Omega “D” series. My old Omega II (Note: Not D2) is a virtual tank – solid and ridged. Once aligned it will stay that way. It can be worked upon with ordinary kitchen tools – no specials needed. Parts and carriers are available from lots of sources. I found mine to be only slightly larger and quite heavier than a Beseler 760C, which might be my second choice for 6x6 to 6x7, but you may (probably will) want to go large format at least 4x5 in the future, especially after reading more of APUG. Better to plan for that now - and it will handle 6x9 very easily. You can use the same lens for 6x6 (and even 35mm if you are willing to stay with 8x10 enlargements).

 

[athanasius80]

One step ahead of you, I shoot 5x7 and make contact prints--or at least I will once I bother to coat more cyanotype paper.

but you may (probably will) want to go large format at least 4x5 in the future, especially after reading more of APUG. Better to plan for that now - and it will handle 6x9 very easily.