Federal Enlargers

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Bought these on eBay for $18 and $19. Of course shipping was a little more ($35 and $42)!The one on the left is a diffuser model 312, and the other is a condenser model 311, which arrived w/ it's original box, manual, and red filter. It looks almost brand new.

I've always wondered about these enlargers, but figured they were low line junk. They're not at all. Both are capable of 6x9 printing (once you file the negative carriers out from their somewhat smaller sizes of 2 1/4 x 3 1/4) and they're very simple, sturdy, and need no adjustments to align them. If nothing is bent they're good to go. It would be easy to shim the lens board if you needed to I suppose, but both of these were true.

They have handy focusing targets incorporated into the negative carriers, and the condenser model came w/ a counter balance to make lifting the head easier. That one also has an extension on the tube to allow larger prints and came w/ a Federal 90 4.5 anastigmat which might be a keeper. I think the condenser model will give sharper prints, but we'll see. The glass in the negative carrier is getting removed and I'll make up some mat board inserts. My old Durst condenser enlarger magnified every teeny bit of dust on it's 2 glass carriers.

So if you see one of these at a good price and it's complete, feel confident that you'll get a good enlarger. If it's missing things like the negative carrier, you might want to pass, as parts can cost more than the whole enlarger. Lens boards are less critical and easy to make, unlike the old Durst.

 

[michr]

I have two of the Federal 450 enlargers, both of them somewhat incomplete that I paid about $20 each for. I got one of them working on and you know it's just as good as anything if you don't need anything more than the basics. The negative carrier has a built-in image for focusing, which I've used quite a bit. The lenses are nothing special and are non-standard, but the lens board can easily be replaced unlike my newer enlarger with the lens cone. When I get my new darkroom set up, I'll keep on of the Federals around. I like the red bakelite focus knob.

PS I like your retro lamp.

 

[Paul Howell]

When I was in college in the 60s we had a Federal, later I converted a 311 into a point source by finding a very small clear bulb, you can raise and lower the bulb to for proper point source focusing. I have a Stow Away that I use when I am on photo trips scans wife, uses a doublet lens and water house stops, but rather nice soft results. Although built from stamped parts, I think they are well made with cleaver design feature. Other than lacking a crank to move the head up and down, with a modern lens, can produce very fine prints.

 

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The enlarger above w/ the counter balance (looks just like a heavy duty measuring tape w/ a much stronger spring) is a pleasure to raise and lower the head on. The one without it requires a little wrestling with.But both have quick releases that allows you to slide the head and lock it by simply squeezing the metal handle. Most of the Federals don't have that release anymore.

Just looking at the negative images on a piece of paper on the base boards, the condenser model looks sharper and brighter, and oddly it's a true B&W image, while the diffuser has a sort of brownish tint to the image. The negatives are from the same roll. Strange.

My diffuser model came w/ a cheapo lens that Federal didn't even bother to mention the focal length on! It's just says Anastigmat F:6.3. Now I have a 50 2.8 Rokkor for 35mm and a Wollensak 90 4.5 for 6x6 and 6x9. The Federal 90 4.5 Anastigmat on the condensor model looks much like the Wollensak 90 4.5, and the image on the baseboard looks real sharp, so it may be a copy of the Wollensak.

The 311 manual says copyright 1948, and the 312r is either older or just had a harder life. My first 6x9 enlargements will be from a Voigtlander Bessa RF w/ a Heliar lens from the late 1930's. It's amazing how high the quality of photography was way back then.

 

[Paul Howell]

One if the issues is the condenser is formatted for 6X9 when printing smaller formats you lose of some speed of an enlarger with a adjustable condenser. I have a Wards Catalog from 1952, the counter balance was a option as was a double condenser.

 

[Wayne]

I'm interested in these "built-in focus targets". Is that something etched in the glass? I have a devil of a time focusing Ektar negatives and need some sort of "target" (but I don't want glass.)

I see these Federals going to junk quite a bit. Glad someone is making use of them, they always looked simple but sound to me.

 

[Besk]

I also have two Federals (450 & 6x9 model) waiting for my darkroom to be set up. (I also have 3 other enlargers - they are too cheap!)

 

[Kawaiithulhu]

I've got one of these that fits in its own briefcase, don't have a darkroom to use it in right now. Which is just as well, the original lens is separating and I need to make/find two new lensboards and lenses for 35mm / 6x6 / 6x9 before it would be usable again. In the meantime it's kind of industrial chic, gray and chrome.
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/misc/Federal 290 291 295 296.pdf

 

[Paul Howell]

Federal made 3 stowaway models, interesting that the illustration shows it set with the case as the baseboard, then in the text shows a metal baseboard. I have a Stowaway Jr, it comes with a metal baseboard, the 35mm used the case as the baseboard or plate.