For Sale Enlarger for sale: Saunders/LPL 4550 XLG

[Latif Crowder]

Saunders/LPL 4550 XLG
VCCE K&IF Filter Module
LPL Negative carrier 35mm, 6x6, 6x7, 4x5.
Lens EL-Nikkor 50mm, 80mm, 105mm, 135mm.
LPL Diffusion Box 4x5, 3 1/2 , 35mm.
Enlarging timer LPL ET-500
Regulated Power Supply
In good running condition
I bought this kit from Alan Ross, a one time assistant to Ansel Adams.
Price 4500.00 plus shipping in Canadian dollars.
Cost of shipping will be determined when destination is known.

 

[markbau]

I didn't know that LPL made different sized diffusor boxes for this enlarger. Not sure why, I print 35mm with this enlarger (with the standard mixing box that the enlarger came with) all the time with excellent results. What is gained by changing out the diffusor box?

 

[Latif Crowder]

If you view the photo you'll notice the 35mm box has a lens in it to focus the light, I assume. The other two boxes are diffuse light only.
More than that I don't know.

 

[voceumana]

Different mixing boxes for different negative sizes just provide a higher light output for the smaller sizes to provide faster printing speed. Whatever light the lamp produces is spread over the smaller negative size, so greater light density. I suspect the 35mm mixing box provides a hybrid condenser/diffusion character, like many condenser lamp house enlarger, but I have not used one. I suspect the mixing box is most appreciated with very large enlargements.

 

[Latif Crowder]

Thank you. Markbau I just noticed your 2nd Question. I'm very happy with enlarger but also have a Zone v1. We just moved across Canada and having to downsize.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

I have the original mixing box that has no K & IF switch. Does anyone know the effective difference?

 

[voceumana]

There is no difference in the mixing box based on the filtration module used--they are 2 different things. Filtration module is plain diffusion, color, or VCCE (Variable Contrast).

The mixing boxes are for 4x5 inches, 6x7 cm, and 35 mm. The 4x5 mixing box will cover all formats, but the smaller boxes provide faster printing speed by concentrating the light to a smaller area.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

There is no difference in the mixing box based on the filtration module used--they are 2 different things. Filtration module is plain diffusion, color, or VCCE (Variable Contrast).

The mixing boxes are for 4x5 inches, 6x7 cm, and 35 mm. The 4x5 mixing box will cover all formats, but the smaller boxes provide faster printing speed by concentrating the light to a smaller area.

I must have mistyped. My VCCE module, not mixing box, has no K or I switch. So I am wondering what the difference is considering I don't have Kodak or Ilford settings.

 

[voceumana]

K & I are for Kodak and Ilford contrast "channels". The switch only changes the number that appears at a given setting, it doesn't change the actual filtration, it changes what a given filtration is called--i.e., 3 or 4 for a specific setting. If your module has a contrast control knob, and no indication of the contrast level, then it's the plain diffusion module. I'm not aware that the VCCE module was made without dual channels, but since Kodak no longer makes B&W paper, it's not really a loss.

 

[Ai Print]

I have been looking for that 35mm mixing box for years and years. No dice. I even asked Alan Ross if he would sell that one to me and again...no dice.

I already have three of these enlargers so I can't get it that way...

 

[Chris Longyne]

Hi Latif,
Do you still have this enlarger set for sale? I'm interested if you do. Cost will be a bit prohibitive but I'd like to talk about it. I'm down in San Diego, what would shipping look like from your location?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[voceumana]

From my examination of my VCCE module, I find no difference in the actual filtration between K and IL settings; what is different is the contrast number at any given setting. This doesn't change the min and max contrast; so the only "advantage" perhaps, is the calibration to a filter system. It changes what you call a particular setting.

I've used the Zone VI enlarger with variable contrast, and it has no real indication of specific contrast settings, just relative intensity level settings between the blue and green lights. It was easy to use. Just forget about a given contrast number, and set things according to whatever reference is provided.

 

[DonW]

Wow we through out four of those enlargers when we closed down our custom lab. Plus a Kreonite processor. No one wanted them.

 

[Ai Print]

Wow we through out four of those enlargers when we closed down our custom lab. Plus a Kreonite processor. No one wanted them.

And when the heck was that pray tell? I have not seen these enlargers under $600 on the used market in well over 10 years. And sorry your lab owner had lack of vision for the future of film back then, what a mistake on their part.

 

[pentaxuser]

Hi Latif,
Do you still have this enlarger set for sale? I'm interested if you do. Cost will be a bit prohibitive but I'd like to talk about it. I'm down in San Diego, what would shipping look like from your location?

Thanks,
Chris

It looks as if he was last seen on Photrio only 16 days after this "for sale" post so not seen since 19 Dec 2019

pentaxuser