Enlarger options for 6x9 and 4x5?

[Paul Howell]

A bit less, Aristia, which is Foma, is $1.79 a sheet at Freestyle. Still shooting large format is expensive. I am much more selective that I was a few years ago.

 

[mshchem]

HP5 is a deal at 3 bucks +.
TMY-2 my favorite is $5.60 a sheet Good night Irene!

And then 180 bucks for 100 sheets of Arista.

 

[Jimi3]

HP5 is a deal at 3 bucks +.
TMY-2 my favorite is $5.60 a sheet Good night Irene!

And then 180 bucks for 100 sheets of Arista.

Yeah I’ve been shooting Arista. I like to shoot color now and then as well, and 4x5 color is a no go between the cost of film and developing. So in shoot 6x9 when I want color.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The C1 development cost alone for 8x10 color film is now $9 a sheet, and that's the lowest price I can find; E6 is even more. So add that to the cost of the film itself, and you're looking at around $45 every time you trip the shutter. Glad I have a fair amount of 8x10 film in cold storage. Price-wise, 4x5 is the new 8x10.

 

[Paul Howell]

The C1 development cost alone for 8x10 color film is now $9 a sheet, and that's the lowest price I can find; E6 is even more. So add that to the cost of the film itself, and you're looking at around $45 every time you trip the shutter. Glad I have a fair amount of 8x10 film in cold storage. Price-wise, 4x5 is the new 8x10.

This is why I no longer shoot color film, for color I only shoot digital.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Well, I understand choice that from a convenience and budget standpoint; but it's certainly no substitute for what 8x10, or even 4x5, color film can do. Different ballgame. The question is, when does the clock run out?

 

[Paul Howell]

If I win the 1B lottery then I will shoot 4X5 color, until then, just too pricey on a fixed budget.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Ditto. But being a country boy and observing squirrels, I squirreled away a fair amount of sheet film in advance. Hopefully, none of it will be like what dogs and coyotes bury, and then dig up as an old dry stinky bone.

 

[chuckroast]

Ditto. But being a country boy and observing squirrels, I squirreled away a fair amount of sheet film in advance. Hopefully, none of it will be like what dogs and coyotes bury, and then dig up as an old dry stinky bone.

That sounds nutty

 

[images39]

I can strongly recommend the Saunders/LPL 4500 enlargers. Will print up to 4x5. Really well designed.

Dale

 

[StefantheHun]

I have ordered the Intrepid conversion set and a used 150 mm enlarger lens in order to use my Chamonix 4x5 as a horizontal enlarger, projecting on the wall. Initially, I wanted to do only contact printing first, but the 4x5 size seems too small for my taste, and I want to enlarge it to 8x10. I'll report results after setting up this "enlarger on the fly".

 

[tcolgate]

I have ordered the Intrepid conversion set and a used 150 mm enlarger lens in order to use my Chamonix 4x5 as a horizontal enlarger, projecting on the wall. Initially, I wanted to do only contact printing first, but the 4x5 size seems too small for my taste, and I want to enlarge it to 8x10. I'll report results after setting up this "enlarger on the fly".

I use the intrepid kit with an intrepid 4x5, it all works pretty well, but takes a bit of getting used to. If you can find an enlarger stand to mount the camera on that's be a good option, using a tripod can be a bit of a pain. If you do go with a tripod I recommend using a horizontal boom style arm, it makes life a lot easier.
I also recommend finding a "magna sight" focus finder. They are nice and big and you can get decent focus within breaking your back getting your eye up to a small finder.

 

[xkaes]

The camera shop a couple of miles away from me had a Beseler 4x5 enlarger, in good shape, for sale for $50 a couple of months ago. If you are not in a rush, you can find a good deal.

And FYI, Beseler made a 4X5 enlarger with a 23C base and frame -- the 45H. Good luck finding one of them!!!

Here are all the details:

The WEB's Most Complete Guide to Beseler 4x5 enlargers

 

[MTGseattle]

This is based on my personal experience and my local-ish market.
I have used a Beseler 45, A Saunders/LPL 4500, and an Omega D series. I think the Beseler 45 we had in college was a 1st generation and possibly abused and slightly neglected. They upgraded to the Sauders/LPL models. At a summer workshop darkroom, it was all Omega D series which I found totally fine.

I happen to own a Saunders/LPL 4550 now. I find it easy to use and I was used to them from my college days. I looked for one off and on for a couple of years.

Were I in your position now and based upon what I see locally, I would grab an Omega D series. I agree that a Durst would be pretty cool, but I haven't seen a 4x5 capable unit come up for sale out here while I've been looking. The benefit to Omega and Beseler is the years of availability, easy enough to convert/modify and the wide range of negative carriers.
Unless you find an incomplete unit for super cheap or free, try and get one with most of the key accessories so that your first weeks of ownership are not consumed by further classified and auction browsing.

 

[pbromaghin]

If you can pull up the manuals you will find the dimensions including the height. Not sure if the D2 to D5 standard column is taller than the 23C. The D2 and 3 will swivel on the base board to shoot to the floor for enlargements larger than 16X20.

The C23 is 44” above the baseboard, the D5 is 53”.

Also, there is no shortage of enlargers if you just give yourself time for the right one to pop up.

 

[Paul Howell]

My D3 is 18 by 26.

 

[xkaes]

Many enlargers -- including the Beseler 23C to the 45 models -- can be found with different chassis heights, and the height of the light source on top makes a HUGE difference too.

 

[Paul Howell]

I had a chance for a D2 with XL chassis but had to pass as it too tight of fit. The Drust Prolabs with the drop table would work well for me, but I cannot easily fit it though the bathroom that my darkroom is in.