Fujimoto 540m-d vs. IFF-firenze eurogon enlargers

[barbatron]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to buy a fujimoto 540m-D or a iff eurogon enlarger. They are both pretty unknown and it's pretty impossible to find any decent information of any of them.

They are both extremely cheap ( 50 euro ) and both backed up with componon lenses.

But, which one to buy? I only have space for one, so buying them both is not an option.

I know it's basically a silly question because they are both almost free. But it would be a shame to not buy the best one.

Does anyone has experience with one of them? Or does anyone know anything about condensor configuration?

Both sellers have no clue what they have. They basically got them by accident. So, they can't provide me with any information.

Thanks in advance for your help and opinions

 

[AgX]

For that price why not buy both and keep the one that suits you most?

 

[barbatron]

that's what i'm going to do.

 

[coriana6jp]

I have got two Fujimono 450m-D enlargers here, they great enlarger and built like a tank. If you have any questions I am happy to try to answers them.

Gary

 

[AgX]

I initially sent a PM to the OP telling him that there might be a mistake in his Fujimoto designation.


Anyway, to my understanding both enlargers are quite similar:

4x5" double-condensor enlarger, weight control, swivelling head, swivelling lens plate

Both can be turned by means of reproadapter for an international back into a 4x5" repro-camera.

The Fujimoto accepts a 3rd condensor for smaller format work. The IFF has got one fixed upper condensor lens and 4 condensor lenses to chose for the lower one.

An other difference is the lighting system. The Fujimoto takes a 150W opalescent-bulb in a straight cylinder w. 1-dim. adjustment, the IFF a 300W in a reflex(?) housing with 2-dim adjustment.
And so the IFF offers alternatives: you can exchange the bulb for a coldlight tungsten reflector lamp or even a point source tungsten lamp.

Extraordinary with the IFF: 180cm / 85kg (Durst Laborator: 125cm / 55kg)

 

[barbatron]

thanks for the great reply.
So one concern about the IFF could be the lack of correct condensors? I'm used to the laborator ( which I lost in a raid..) so I assume there should be separate interchangeable condensors for the IFF, just like the laborator?
I'l pick them up on monday. So I'll see what's there.

 

[AgX]

I only know the IFF through their catalogue (which I found again in my archive) and thee one can see a drawer on the condensor head. I guess that is for filters and the lower lens has to be installed sameway defferently. On the condensor head there is seemingly a table for the lower condensor lenses so you see if there is something missing. There are condensor lenses for 135/105, 105/80, 50, and 35cm.

IFF states that there are two types of rapid coupling lens tubes, which are customized to the FL of the lens installed.

There is only one negative-holder (which has glasses installed), but 9 different (incl. Minox...) twin-inserts to be exchanged for the glasses.

 

[barbatron]

Hi,

Right now, I'm the happy owner of the fujimoto, but not the IFF. The IFF turned out to be old rusted junk.. It was modified for color, then re-modified for b&w, bypassing the colorhead with a homemade diffusion box. It fell apart when draging from the car into my house. Instead of screws, the previous owner used ducttape.

I'm quite happy I bought them both though. Together with the IFF where 2 componon-s lenses. Luckily both in good condition.

I still have one question regarding the fujimoto. What's the correct way to set the light? There are a couple of screws to re-set the lamp for mysterious reasons. Does anyone know the function of this option?

Thanks

 

[AgX]

Lamp axial adjustment:

FL 135 or 150mm: highest position
FL 75 or 105: middle position
FL 50mm or shorter: lowest position

I assume there is also a means for radial adjustment in order to place the bulb in the center.