Getting a cls66 head or a new enlarger?

[John_A]

Hi, I have a Durst M601 for b&w work that Im pleased with, but thinking about getting back into doing some color work (20years since last time). Now, is the cls66 head a good add on, or am I better off getting a new enlarger with a premounted color head?

 

[darkroommike]

I have that rig with both the condensers and the CLS66. You will never find another enlarger that is easier to switch from condensers to color head but early on I just started printing with the Color head both B&W and color. It's one of the nicest diffusion enlargers to use. That said, parts for a 40 year old enlarger can be hard to find, nothing will ever break, it's a Durst, but if you start looking for carrier inserts or accessories be prepared to either pay premium prices or wait a while to find the bits you need.

 

[John_A]

Thanks for the reply. I have the condensors for 35mm and 6x6.

You will never find another enlarger that is easier to switch from condensers to color head

Intersting, what makes it so simple in your opinion? (I have no recent practical experience of this, hence the question)

 

[kwm]

I had a M601-color and bought another M601-bw with both condensors. One negative carrier is for 135 film the other is for 6x6. So according to my needs it is quite easy to change between them or to change the enlarger-heads on the enlarger stand - I should mention, that the M601-bw was a bargain for 30 EUROS on ebay from a seller in my neighbourghood. (I was looking for an 135 condensor and got the whole enlarger for the price of it)

 

[darkroommike]

Thanks for the reply. I have the condensors for 35mm and 6x6.



Intersting, what makes it so simple in your opinion? (I have no recent practical experience of this, hence the question)

There a toggle on the top, shift it and lift the color head off and reach in and remove the mixing box, insert the condensers, remove the plug and add the lamp holder then put the mirror box on. It may have taken longer to describe than it did to actually do it. But like another poster I bought a second M601 without condensers, shifted my condensers over and had one machine set up each way.

 

[John_A]

Thanks, thats some very good information.. And one of the reasons that make this forum so great