"Enlarger Love"

chip j said:

Is that color olive drab? Looks like a military enlarger!

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No, the green is just an upgrade from the "1960s" silver of the L184.
In case anyone wonders why Ansel Adams never had anything like this, this enlarger was designed in 1988 (Adams died in 1984). Interesting fact that the L1840 was conceived, designed, produced and became commercially obsolete all in the time since the Ansel Adam's death.
Obviously not obsolete for artistic use, however.

In its first years of production the L1840 chassis cost $18,000 USD and the CLS2000 head was $24,000 USD.

In its last years of production the combination was around $90,000 USD. That very high price was probably not much different than current enlarger prices today in that they are much more expensive now than in the heyday of darkroom use. For example $6000 for a new LPL 4550 XLG.

A couple of my friends ready for their spa-day. As the semester progressed, I would bring a couple enlargers out of the darkroom occasionally for a CLA, and a final alignment after they went back into the dark. We had 9 of these lovely D5-XLs set up with condenser heads, and a couple more with color heads. And 8 Beseler 23CIIs along the other wall, seductively black against the darkness.

A Polaroid image transfer from many years ago! I do not use an enlarger now, large UV printers, though!

I sure have a good relationship with my Zone VI, 5x7 Type II enlarger. It's well designed, and it's a relatively simple affair. (Not much to go wrong). The lens-stage and the negative stage can be adjusted to be parallel to the base. The controls are well-laid out. I've optimized the enlarger to my own use. For example, I built a custom stand for it that tethers the enlarger column at both the top and at the base. The lens stage has an extra large throat, so that it can accept a suitably sized enlarging lens for 8x10. It also has oversized negative carriers, all of which are capable full frame negative enlarging. Years ago, a Type II, optional focus adapter extension rod popped up on EBay, whichI purchased and installed. Even at high magnification, I can usually focus this enlarger while sitting on a stool.

While I have both the 8x10 and 5x7 VC heads for this enlarger, the one that I use most is a Beseler 45s mounted on the last available (from Calumet) Zone VI/Beseler adapter. I have the Zone VI, compensating enlarging timer, and I've installed a corresponding sensor in the 45s. Before getting a Zone VI enlarger, I had a D2v with condenser head. So, I installed a sensor in this head and have adapted it for use the Beseler adapter.

It's a nice setup that's taken years to piece together. Using it has become second nature.

My apology for resurrecting this thread, but I am overjoyed to see that there are other "nutters" around like myself!

I have a "thing" for the Omega B22 series enlargers (and the D series actually as well, but I don't have the space). There is something "Steampunk-esque" about the B22 that I love, and even if I would be the first to admit that the Meopta Opemus IV I had back in the 80s/90s was probably a better / sturdier / more practical enlarger, I will always go for a B22 if had to start over.

-- Sixbysix

I second your love of the common B22. I have a winter home in Florida, much smaller than my other home, and the B22 is perfect to set up in a temporary bathroom. Also many parts and accessories are still available if needed.

chip j said:

Where do you buy De Vere enlargers? I've heard a lot about them but have hardly seen any. Did they make any for 35mm only?

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I have a 11 x14 Devere Enarger, its quite beautiful, not as much as my wife though.

I have settled down to two big enlargers, Devere and Durst 2000 and two 4 x5 condensor enlargers, I have spare parts for them and enough bulbs to last a lifetime, I just need to
do a purchase with focal point for long term glass replacement for the negative carries and I am set for life.

I have kept my gear through thick and thin, and I get rid of stuff I do not use, my hope is to find a live work purchase , so that I can putzz around into my 90's if I am so lucky. The problem with
the type of gear I own is that you do indeed need a decent size room to dedicate to it, not easy in a major overpriced city.

ic-racer said:

Restoring this to its original operating condition was certainly a labor of love.

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You do very good work on your equipment, I have the same enlarger but it certainly does not look like this, good job.

Two enlargers in my darkroom, an LPL 4500 VC and a Zone VI 810 that I hacked into an upright column so I could fit it in my darkroom. It has a magnificent Keinzle VC head on it, so vastly much better than the original Zone VI.

I have the colorhead for the LPL as well, but don't C-Print anymore.

I don't get to print nearly enough though.

Oh yes, always stock up on bulbs!!

Bob Carnie said:

I have a 11 x14 Devere Enarger, its quite beautiful, not as much as my wife though.

I have settled down to two big enlargers, Devere and Durst 2000 and two 4 x5 condensor enlargers, I have spare parts for them and enough bulbs to last a lifetime, I just need to
do a purchase with focal point for long term glass replacement for the negative carries and I am set for life.

I have kept my gear through thick and thin, and I get rid of stuff I do not use, my hope is to find a live work purchase , so that I can putzz around into my 90's if I am so lucky. The problem with
the type of gear I own is that you do indeed need a decent size room to dedicate to it, not easy in a major overpriced city.

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There's always room for another enlarger or sink! You can sleep in your car if ya have to!!

I have at last count 5 enlargers, but the only one I use is my Beseler 45MXT with an Aristo cold light head. It does everything I want it to, and I really like the motor that raises and lowers it. Makes life easy. It's not as elegant looking as the condenser-head 23CII that I sold in order to buy it, but it's very industrial-looking and I like that.

The other enlargers either need rewiring or have never been tested. There's an OLD 5x7 enlarger that I know nothing about that belonged to my grandfather (it's sitting in my dad's garage, and I've not seen it in years but my dad doesn't want it so it's mine), a little grey Sears enlarger that does work but I don't know who actually made it, a Federal that needs rewiring, and my latest acquisition, a Hansa H-2000 that one of my customers gave me -- he bought it new in the early 1980s, he says -- and has never been out of the box or assembled. The Federal and the Hansa appear to be fairly low-end (the Hansa has a Hansa-branded lens on it, but it looks very like a cheap Beslar or Arista) and so I'll probably never use them. Might rewire the Federal for giggles and set up the Hansa so I can make sure it works. The Sears enlarger is small but mighty -- the lens, also Sears-branded, is amazingly sharp. It's just so small I'm sure it won't do anything larger than 35mm at 11x14 or so, maybe 6x6.

I honestly can't see a reason to set up another enlarger in my darkroom (garage), unless it's sole purpose would be to flash paper.

If there was an SPCA for enlargers, I'd be in jail. I've neglected mine ever since I went alt 9 years ago.

For the Durst Lovers....

Sixbysixjan said:

My apology for resurrecting this thread, but I am overjoyed to see that there are other "nutters" around like myself!

I have a "thing" for the Omega B22 series enlargers (and the D series actually as well, but I don't have the space). There is something "Steampunk-esque" about the B22 that I love, and even if I would be the first to admit that the Meopta Opemus IV I had back in the 80s/90s was probably a better / sturdier / more practical enlarger, I will always go for a B22 if had to start over.

-- Sixbysix

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I wouldn't say I love my enlarger more than any of my cameras. But my B-22 has a very special spot in my heart. To be honest, I'm not 100% certain why. It isn't the most solid thing, the base and column cause problems for me all the time (easel hitting the column or falling off the base), but it is so simple to use, so tactile, so unassuming. My darkroom process would feel very different with something either more modern or just bigger (I used a Besseler 23 in school) and I'm quite content with things the way they are.

Now my lenses, I love my enlarging lenses.

DON'T START on enlarging lenses--I have a zillion of the world's top ones(for 35mm), and each one has it's own charm & personality!

chip j said:

Oh yes, always stock up on bulbs!!

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Even the common bulbs are frequently on back order in this brave new world, so I routinely have 6 bulbs on hand for each of my enlargers.

darkroommike said:

Even the common bulbs are frequently on back order in this brave new world, so I routinely have 6 bulbs on hand for each of my enlargers.

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You can buy NOS bulbs cheap on the 'Bay. I have a lifetime supply for each enlarger I own. I found my Devere Enlarger through Craigslist . I did have a 20 hour drive each way to get it, but it was worth it. These days my Durst SM-183 just sits unused in storage. If anyone has an interest in it please contact me privately. It's the L-184 base with the 5x7 camera. Has a motorized head and is much sturdier than the L-138. It was made for making huge enlargements from microfilm, so it didn't get much use and is in great shape.

What are the grades of enlarger love? There's the lowest grade - Meopta, Omega; the next one up (Durst, De Vere)-; at the top is glow and sparkle Leitz enlargers. At least that's been my experience.

My "souped-up" Durst M35 Micromat (w/near-original bulb) tends to run circles around my Leitz 1c, and is more robust yet just as finely finished as the Leitz.

Dan0001 said:

I second your love of the common B22. I have a winter home in Florida, much smaller than my other home, and the B22 is perfect to set up in a temporary bathroom. Also many parts and accessories are still available if needed.

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Love your set-up - I'm probably going to steal some ideas from you, Dan0001.

Sixbysixjan said:

Love your set-up - I'm probably going to steal some ideas from you, Dan0001.

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The key element in this setup(in addition to the B-22) is the movable toolcart. I can put almost 90% of the the darkroom equipment in the drawers for storage. The photo paper and enlarging tools are in the top drawer. All electronics, timer, dimmer switch, safelights, extention cords, and fan are in the second drawer. The third drawer is for extra lenses, trays, contact printer tongs, etc. I'm not a fan of Walmart normally but this Walmart toolcart fit the bill perfectly for me. The B-22 is the regular size with baseboard 16 X 20. The extended column version with larger baseboard would not likely work well with this cart-but I never tried it either.

I have two enlargers, A Leitz Focomat 2A and a Durst Laborator 1000. Both are robust, solid things, with a utilitarian flavor. But the Focomat is the one that stirs the heart, It´s just so easy to use. Simple mechanics made for servicing and maximum reliability. (a drop of fine oil in the red painted oil wells on all axles. Set and forget focusing, swivel lenses, and a super simple mechanism with no hidden or integrated parts. And I was given it for free!, now that's some thing to love!
Except, right now I hate it because the negative holder glass is scratched...

Dan0001 said:

I second your love of the common B22. I have a winter home in Florida, much smaller than my other home, and the B22 is perfect to set up in a temporary bathroom. Also many parts and accessories are still available if needed.

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OMG yes yes yes.
When I was 16, a friend said he had a paying job for us in the city... clean out a basement of trash... turns out it was fire damaged.

DIRTY FILTH SWEATY MISERABLE DAY ALL FOR $20.

But in a corner I saw the most beautiful sight.... an Omega B22 n all its accessories in boxes, totally unharmed.

That was a new beginning for me. I used the bath room after everyone went to sleep, just like you.

I had so much fun with that enlarger and it turned out beautiful prints. My bedroom looked like a gallery.


.

Patrick Robert James said:

I tend to think of my enlargers like a Carpenter thinks of his hammers. Rather fond of them unless he smashes his thumb....

My Focomat is a more recent purchase and there are some things I don't really like about it. It took a while to get rid of all the lightleaks. The double glass carrier I put together is pretty thick. I haven't gotten around to shimming the condenser yet so the carrier will fit right. The Leitz easel must have been designed by a friggin' Nazi. It is abolutely terrible to get the paper in right, but the autofocus is off if you don't use it. Trying to focus manually requires you to hire a circus contortionist. I have heard that Saunders made a four blade easel for it, but I have never seen one.

On the other hand, my Saunders enlarger is perfect. Only complaint I have about it is the glass carrier is just a touch too small for 4x5 so if you are not careful you get the "fuzzy edge" which is pretty aggrevating. Don't know the brainiac who did the measurements on that one. Must've been a Yakuza who was missing a pinkie so he couldn't count to ten.

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Which of the two 4x5 films is the glass carrier too small for? Sheet film or film pack film? I know, you can't buy film packs any more but when most 4x5 enlargers were designed you could. And if you are using 6x9 film in your 4x5 enlarger, there would have been three different size 6x9 negatives. What is available today is not the same as not that many years ago. The brainiac that designed your enlarger had to deal with conditions that you may not even know about........Regards!....As for 1930s German National Socialists designing Leica equipment. If you will read some history about what the Leitz family did to protect their Jewish employees during the 1930s and 40s, you will find that they were no friends of the Nazis......