Fotolarger 100DC. 6x6?

[Cholentpot]

I have a Fotolarger 100DC that I use for 135. I assumed it would be good for 6x6 too as long as I got a lens. I picked up a 75mm lens but I'm still not getting the full 6x6 projection. I'm relatively new to the darkroom. What else would I need to make this enlarger possible (if at all?) for 6x6? I made my own negative carrier as I'm not sure what kind to get for this ancient machine.

Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

Most likely the light path is set up for the smaller negatives. Can you show us a photo of the enlarger? I am not familiar with any of the Testrite products.

 

[Cholentpot]

Most likely the light path is set up for the smaller negatives. Can you show us a photo of the enlarger? I am not familiar with any of the Testrite products.

I'd like to get this to work as I don't have room for a second enlarger.

 

[voceumana]

Testrite offered a number of different upgrades for their various enlargers including condenser lenses; this model was a 4x5 max. diffusion enlarger, from what I can find on the internet, so if it is in diffusion mode, there should be no problem to cover 6x6 cm. However, if condensers were added, perhaps those are not sufficient to cover the 6x6 area.

Also, what is the 75mm lens? Coverage area will vary with different lens designs, for example a 75mm lens for a 35mm camera won't cover a 6x6 negative when used as an enlarging lens.

Your first task will be to see if the entire negative is getting illumination--put a piece of paper in your negative carrier and flash the light on an off for a second or so, and see if it develops to a consistent gray.

 

[Cholentpot]

Testrite offered a number of different upgrades for their various enlargers including condenser lenses; this model was a 4x5 max. diffusion enlarger, from what I can find on the internet, so if it is in diffusion mode, there should be no problem to cover 6x6 cm. However, if condensers were added, perhaps those are not sufficient to cover the 6x6 area.

Condenser would be that big glass lens directly under the bulb? I don't have a diffuser for this model. Can I make one out of, dunno wax paper?

 

[MattKing]

Condenser would be that big glass lens directly under the bulb? I don't have a diffuser for this model. Can I make one out of, dunno wax paper?

You will need a different condenser - the one in there is designed to focus the light on to a smaller area.
You might be able to replace the condenser with a disk of diffusing material of some sort.

 

[Cholentpot]

You will need a different condenser - the one in there is designed to focus the light on to a smaller area.
You might be able to replace the condenser with a disk of diffusing material of some sort.

I think I got it.

I took apart the top and there are two condensers. One sits on top of the other like a hat. I unscrewed it and there was one below. The 6x6 juuuuuuust fits corner to corner with one of the condensers removed. Would this make sense? I can post a pic if needed.

 

[MattKing]

Sounds like you are making progress.
Condenser lenses are often used in sets. And you can often change the result by adding, removing, reversing or even moving condensers in their housing.
Show us a series of pictures with both lenses in the housing, one lens in the housing and no lenses in the housing.
Also show us what you have put together in the way of a negative carrier - I don't understand your reference to a 6x6 just fits.

 

[Cholentpot]

You will need a different condenser - the one in there is designed to focus the light on to a smaller area.
You might be able to replace the condenser with a disk of diffusing material of some sort.

Condensers. I'm going to guess convex side up configuration is where it's supposed to be. I would need a different condenser for 4x5 if I ever went that way I guess.

 

[Cholentpot]

Sounds like you are making progress.
Condenser lenses are often used in sets. And you can often change the result by adding, removing, reversing or even moving condensers in their housing.
Show us a series of pictures with both lenses in the housing, one lens in the housing and no lenses in the housing.
Also show us what you have put together in the way of a negative carrier - I don't understand your reference to a 6x6 just fits.

The projected 6x6 image just barely has enough before the edge gets cut off. I'd rather have a proper carrier other than the cardboard one I made.

 

[MattKing]

The bottom lens is probably intended for 35mm, and should come out for larger negatives.
And I would guess that there is supposed to be a collar between the two gold rings, in order to provide some distance between the condensers and the negative.
You might be able to use negative holders designed for Omega D or Beseler 4x5 enlargers - please show us how you are inserting your holders, and give us the dimensions of that housing - diameter in particular.

 

[Cholentpot]

The bottom lens is probably intended for 35mm, and should come out for larger negatives.
And I would guess that there is supposed to be a collar between the two gold rings, in order to provide some distance between the condensers and the negative.
You might be able to use negative holders designed for Omega D or Beseler 4x5 enlargers - please show us how you are inserting your holders, and give us the dimensions of that housing - diameter in particular.

It looks like the opposite when I change them out. The top piece sits atop the bottom. When I remove the top (thumb screws) there is more room for the projected 6x6. There is no way as I have it set up to use the top without the bottom.

It's a bad photo, the top dosen't go edge to edge, it sits atop the bottoms collar just a little bit bigger than the bottom glass.

 

[voceumana]

Wax paper will catch on fire because of the heat of the bulb. You could try using frosted or opal glass. The heat might cause those to crack, though. Another option would be to find a cold light head that fits this enlarger. Actually, a cold light head for an Omega B22 would cover 6x6 and 35m. You would have to figure out some sort of mounting fixture. That's the route I'd probably take unless you want to try to build and LED light source. If you get a 4x5 cold light head, then you could cover the full range of sizes that the enlarger was designed for.

This sort of thing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aristo-B22-...380412?hash=item33d22b3a3c:g:3C8AAOSwvjdZWwAR

 

[Cholentpot]

The bottom lens is probably intended for 35mm, and should come out for larger negatives.
And I would guess that there is supposed to be a collar between the two gold rings, in order to provide some distance between the condensers and the negative.
You might be able to use negative holders designed for Omega D or Beseler 4x5 enlargers - please show us how you are inserting your holders, and give us the dimensions of that housing - diameter in particular.

The 35mm carrier is 7cm across.

 

[MattKing]

The 35mm carrier is 7cm across.

Are you sure - it looks more like 11-12 cm (given that a 135 negative is about 3 1/2 cm long?
Does the black disk that the lower condenser sits on top of come out? Possibly by unscrewing it out.
If so, I think that and the two condenser lenses together are designed for 35mm, and there are/were different sets of condensers or light diffusers for larger formats.
For discussion/illustration purposes only, here is a link to a listing for a 6x6 carrier for a Beseler 23C enlarger: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...FhiBOOHIXUK3iAn9FgvWEmnoSRPPLADkbkaAgqV8P8HAQ
And here is a listing for a 6x6 carrier for a Beseler 45 enlarger: http://store.khbphotografix.com/6x6-Negative-Carrier-for-Beseler-4x5-Enlargers-Used.html
A used (and cheaper) one of these might work in your enlarger. And if you were an APUG subscriber (hint, hint) you could post a want-to-buy classified.

 

[Cholentpot]

Are you sure - it looks more like 11-12 cm (given that a 135 negative is about 3 1/2 cm long?
Does the black disk that the lower condenser sits on top of come out? Possibly by unscrewing it out.
If so, I think that and the two condenser lenses together are designed for 35mm, and there are/were different sets of condensers or light diffusers for larger formats.
For discussion/illustration purposes only, here is a link to a listing for a 6x6 carrier for a Beseler 23C enlarger: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...FhiBOOHIXUK3iAn9FgvWEmnoSRPPLADkbkaAgqV8P8HAQ
And here is a listing for a 6x6 carrier for a Beseler 45 enlarger: http://store.khbphotografix.com/6x6-Negative-Carrier-for-Beseler-4x5-Enlargers-Used.html
A used (and cheaper) one of these might work in your enlarger. And if you were an APUG subscriber (hint, hint) you could post a want-to-buy classified.

You're right. I misread the numbers. It's 17cm, the black disk does come out. I guess I'm out of luck finding the set for 6x6 as I can barely even find any info on this enlarger online.

This should still work for 6x4.5 no problem though, so not a complete loss for some 120 formats. Here's what the projected 6x6 looks like.

I got this setup for free

 

[Cholentpot]

APUG keeps crashing on me. I got this system free, I guess if I were more serious I would build a new system from scratch. Something post Korean War.

 

[MattKing]

If the black disk comes out, you could try putting some diffusing material like frosted glass in its place.
What is the exact size of that disk? There is at least a tiny chance that condensers designed for another enlarger would work.

 

[MattKing]

I just checked my Omega D2/D5/D6 negative carriers. Providing that the locating ring on the bottom doesn't create a problem, they should work in your enlarger as well.

 

[MattKing]

Finally, what results do you get if you just take out the black disk with condensers?

 

[Cholentpot]

Finally, what results do you get if you just take out the black disk with condensers?

Results are good without the glass. Very sharp but obviously I would need a diffuser of some kind. A nice 17cm round cut of frosted glass or Plexiglas would do the job. I would need that also to prevent the negative from melting.

 

[MattKing]

Results are good without the glass. Very sharp but obviously I would need a diffuser of some kind. A nice 17cm round cut of frosted glass or Plexiglas would do the job. I would need that also to prevent the negative from melting.

What does it look like in the chrome piece up above the condensers - where the bulb is?
That may be where you might want to put the diffuser.
If you take out the disk, does it evenly illuminate the negatives. It may be that you don't need any diffuser.
You won't melt a negative with a PH212 bulb, although the negative might "pop" a bit.

 

[Cholentpot]

What does it look like in the chrome piece up above the condensers - where the bulb is?
That may be where you might want to put the diffuser.
If you take out the disk, does it evenly illuminate the negatives. It may be that you don't need any diffuser.
You won't melt a negative with a PH212 bulb, although the negative might "pop" a bit.

It illuminates the negatives but it has a definite hotspot in the middle. I think the aluminum focuses the heat it is a PH212 bulb though. I found some diffusing material in the kitchen. Better to place it closer to the bulb or negative?

Now I need to find a way to get a circle out of this...

 

[MattKing]

It is better to put the diffusing material at least a little bit away from the negative.
Careful with that cutting board material. If you heat one side of it, it can cause it to curl and pop. I once helped a client who was badly burned when he put a hot saucepan on one of those, and it essentially through the saucepan at him.

 

[Arklatexian]

I have a Fotolarger 100DC that I use for 135. I assumed it would be good for 6x6 too as long as I got a lens. I picked up a 75mm lens but I'm still not getting the full 6x6 projection. I'm relatively new to the darkroom. What else would I need to make this enlarger possible (if at all?) for 6x6? I made my own negative carrier as I'm not sure what kind to get for this ancient machine.

Thanks.

I looked up the Fotolarger 100DC in Ollinger's website on enlargers and it shows that you already own a 4x5 enlarger. From the pictures you sent, you seem to have a quality piece of equipment, not a piece of junk. It is my opinion based on your pictures that you probably have everything you need to do 35mm, 6x6/6x9, and 4x5. Except, of course, negative holders, buy, borrow but don't steal a book on enlargers (not just the one you own) and read up on the different focal length condensers. Try to work out which condenser sets go with which lens......By the way, I have used a 75mm good quality enlarging lens on 6x6 and it worked fine. 6x9 is a different kettle of fish........Regards!