Enlarger recommendations

MattKing said:

What type of timer is it?
Most I've used are electromechanical - essentially switches themselves - and I've seen no need to unplug them.
Although it is my understanding that the approach to that question is often different where the mains voltage is ~220V.

Click to expand...

hiroh said:

Kaiser digital timer.

Click to expand...

hiroh said:

Is this good practice? I’m a bit bothered that my timer is on 24/7.

Click to expand...

hiroh said:

I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I have specific needs and requirements when choosing which enlarger to purchase.

I'm a beginner in the darkroom and I'm still learning in a local community darkroom in Lisbon, Portugal, using an Ahel 12 enlarger. It's a fairly basic enlarger, good for learning, but not very comfortable to use, and not the type of enlarger I see myself using long-term, especially when I set up my own darkroom at home. My requirements are based on my experience with this enlarger, which lacks some features that would make my work more enjoyable and comfortable.

- Minimum print size of 16x20 inches (currently printing up to 11x14, but aiming for larger in the future)
- Ability to handle 35mm and medium format (currently 6x6)
- Glass plates for negative carriers to minimize negative curling
- Filter drawers for standard Ilford split-grade filters
- Option to add a color head (I'm primarily interested in black and white for now, but it would be nice to have the option for future color printing experiments)

I'm open to all opinions, despite the limited purchasing options available in Portugal. If I find something I really like, I'll try to find a way to get it.

Ideally, I'm looking for the best enlarger available in this print size range that will last a lifetime. I'm not looking for a temporary solution, as selling enlarger here won't be easy.

Click to expand...

hiroh said:

Silly question, but do you keep your enlarger transformer/timer powered on all the time? I’m asking because my transformer is connected to the timer, which is plugged into a wall socket behind the desk, making it inconvenient to plug in and out every day. I’ve been leaving it powered on for a while, but I do power off the transformer using the switch when not in use.

Is this good practice? I’m a bit bothered that my timer is on 24/7.

Click to expand...

koraks said:

No, it's not good practice this day and age, for two reasons:
1: Unnecessary component wear.
2: Unnecessary energy consumption.
The nuance of course is that neither of these need necessarily be very problematic/significant, but then again, adding a switched power block is cheap and easy.
View attachment 375883

Click to expand...

GregY said:

hiroh, in these times, there must be used enlargers available? Often what we are offered might not be what we would choose to buy new....but the cost of new enlargers is high. I have a Beseler 45mxt with a vc head and a Durst 138 with a colour head. Both are good machines and both are what came up for sale in my vicinity.

Click to expand...

RalphLambrecht said:

look for a usedDurst enlarger of the 800 series; they are built like a tank, do 35mm and 6x6 and thegood oneshave a color head.

Click to expand...