Federal 288 stow away enlarger

Over the weekend I bought a Federal stowaway enlarger, made in the 40s or early 50s, has a 2 element 3 inch lens with water house stops, rated F 7 to F 22. All stamped parts, but a rather well thought out designed. Appears to be stable, came with a 6X9 glass negative carrier, and 3 masks, 6X7. 6X6 and 35mm. It is a diffusion enlarger with a clear 125 watt bulb. Unlike a true travel enlarger the enlarger comes with its own baseplate rather than fit into the carrying case. I plan on swapping out the 3 inch lens for a 80mm or 90mm lens, I might be able to get a recessed lens cone to fit for a 50mm as well. I will make up a kit for traveling, shoot during the day, print at night, 5X7 work prints.

The rigidity is what matters; and, also, the alignment. You might be able to improve upon these 'traits' with a little ingenuity. if necessary.

I do like the 'clear' bulb which can allow standard household bulbs to be employed (of course, now difficult to get even those with the changeover in lighting mandated by law). Contrary to popular 'wisdom', diffusion enlarging does NOT reduce resolution. It might slightly lower contrast but simply develop your negatives a bit more in order to counter this. It is nice to be able to transport the enlarger wherever you want to go. There are not many like this: the Russians made one years back. - David Lyga

I made a few prints using the Federal with the 3 1/2 double water stop F 7.7 . At 7.7 it is a little dim but prints about the same time as my D3 with a 80 mm lens. I was surprised as how sharp the prints are, the tones are very nice, good enough for 5X7 and 8X10 work prints. Took a little time to get use to the focus. The enlarger came with a a number of packets of 60 year old contact paper, 6X6, 6X9 I will open and see if they are fogged. For a entry level inexpensive unit, very well designed. My only issue is that the base is small, just fits a 8X10 easel. My next outing it will come with me.

PDH, Interesting, as I have a Federal 279 which I think is similar to the 288
except it has the optional condensor module at the bottom of the lamp house

I think there there are not many Federal enlargers still in use.
We know now, at least 2 !

I put on an LTM M39 thread (using a plastic Rodenstock lens box) on so I can use newer lenses.
- Rodenstock 50mm and 90mm

The enlarger came with a 6x9 holder with a set of aluminum glassless, and a glass holder.

I modified a 35mm slide holder from another enlarger to fit in the 6x9,
and mount the 35mm negs in Gepe slide holders.


I have the instruction manual which covers models 269, 269CL and 279
and has an exploded view parts list.
Also there is an order form for parts and accessories for all the above models plus the 288.

The only problem I have is that the negatives tend to overheat during set up of easel and focussing.
Notwithstanding that, I have made some very pleasing family portait prints on 8x10 Ilford Multigrade pearl.

here is a site with a bit more info
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/federal.html

Thanks for the link, the 288 has Helical focus rather than a bellows, I had used a couple of Federal over the decades, I am not sure when they stopped making enlargers. I recall using a Federal 4X5 at a rental darkroom in the 60s, without a crank height it was a bear, pull the housing up and down the pole refocus and do over until just the right position. The 288 is small enough that not much a problem. Does get hot, bit clear 120 watt bulb. I need to find a backup bulb.

The correct lamp for the diffuser types is 211 clear 75 Watt
I saw that 211 white are still commonly available but did not see a clear in my brief search.
I read that filament position is critical, 211 had A21 glass envelope, C9 filament

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/ph211-120v~ansi.html

Don't knock Federal enlargers. My first "good" enlarger was a Federal, one of the 300 series if I remember correctly. I enlarged 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Ansco Isopan shot in a Busch 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Model C Pressman. The prints, up to and including 11 x 14, were some of the best that I have made. I probably should still be using it instead of the Omega and Leica equipment that I use now. Of course some of the credit should be given to the Ansco Isopan, ASA 50......regards

oldtimermetoo said:

Don't knock Federal enlargers. My first "good" enlarger was a Federal, one of the 300 series if I remember correctly. I enlarged 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Ansco Isopan shot in a Busch 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Model C Pressman. The prints, up to and including 11 x 14, were some of the best that I have made. I probably should still be using it instead of the Omega and Leica equipment that I use now. Of course some of the credit should be given to the Ansco Isopan, ASA 50......regards

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Wow, this brings back memories! My first enlarger, as a kid in the late '50s, was a helical-focusing Federal (don't remember the model number), and my first "real" camera was a Busch Pressman Model C. By the time I got to high school they had been replaced by a bellows-focusing Federal and a Praktica FX3 SLR. I used the yearbook's Omega D2 at school, but the stuff I printed with the at home Federal was every bit as good.