Getting into 6x9 but my enlarger can't handle that size

[88E30M50]

Yes, as mentioned above, I'd be keeping the 67C for 35mm.

I did find a 23C listed on the local Craigslist for $50 that was listed about a month ago. If that one is still available, I might make that jump right now. We'll see how that pans out.

 

[Don_ih]

For $50, it's hard to go wrong.

 

[Bill Burk]

During the heyday of 6x9 cameras, most likely simple contact prints were the norm.

Contact prints are a great option, these are half a 4x5 of film, big enough to see in a contact print.

 

[xkaes]

For $50, it's hard to go wrong.

And if it comes with a lens, it might turn out to be a freebee. When I bought my used CB7 it came with two Schneider lenses, that the seller never mentioned. I didn't need them, so I sold the two lenses, and ended up making money.

A hope you are as lucky!!!

 

[Don_ih]

And if it comes with a lens, it might turn out to be a freebee.

And most enlargers do come with at least one lens.

 

[Paul Howell]

Ok, what in your opinion is a proper 35mm enlarger? The only proper small format enlarger I've used is a Leica, 35mm and 6X6.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yes, as mentioned above, I'd be keeping the 67C for 35mm.

I did find a 23C listed on the local Craigslist for $50 that was listed about a month ago. If that one is still available, I might make that jump right now. We'll see how that pans out.

As noted that is great price, hopefully with a lens and negative carriers.

 

[MattKing]

Not really, the D line was designed for negatives from 1/2 frame, 110 to 4X5, pros wanted camera that could handle all formats.

Yes, but a little bit of no.
The focusing bellows on my D6 was quite stiff, so while I could and initially did use a 50mm lens, it was relatively difficult to focus with one mounted.
It was far easier to use with the 60mm Leitz Focotar lens I ended up using mostly.
But that meant that I had to use the enlarger higher up on the column to obtain larger prints, which in itself can be problematic for those with low ceilinged, limited space darkrooms.
If the OP only has space for one enlarger, and that space is fairly constrained, and the OP works frequently with 35mm film, I would suggest they look carefully how convenient any particular 4x5 enlarger is to use with the smaller formats.

 

[MattKing]

I now see that the OP is able to continue to have set up and use the 67C, so my concerns about using some 4x5 enlargers with smaller negatives don't apply to him/her/them. But for others whose situations are more constrained ......
And I agree, if that 23C is in good condition, it could be a great option for replacing the 67C as the OPs "small" enlarger.
By the way, I really hated selling my D6, but our downsizing made it necessary.
I also had to sell my 67C - after owning and using it off and on for more than four decades - because my space constraints mandated against the angled column. The LPL 7700 and its small baseboard and the cart it is on just barely fits in the storage space I have for it.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yes, but a little bit of no.
The focusing bellows on my D6 was quite stiff, so while I could and initially did use a 50mm lens, it was relatively difficult to focus with one mounted.
It was far easier to use with the 60mm Leitz Focotar lens I ended up using mostly.
But that meant that I had to use the enlarger higher up on the column to obtain larger prints, which in itself can be problematic for those with low ceilinged, limited space darkrooms.
If the OP only has space for one enlarger, and that space is fairly constrained, and the OP works frequently with 35mm film, I would suggest they look carefully how convenient any particular 4x5 enlarger is to use with the smaller formats.

I have no issues with D3 and don't recall issues with the D5 I used while in the Air Force. Never used a Durst Lab 4X5 and only a Besler 45m with a 4X5 negative, not sure how well they would deal with 50mm lens.

 

[Don_ih]

Ok, what in your opinion is a proper 35mm enlarger? The only proper small format enlarger I've used is a Leica, 35mm and 6X6.

Focomat Ic.

 

[xkaes]

Never used a Durst Lab 4X5 and only a Besler 45m with a 4X5 negative, not sure how well they would deal with 50mm lens.

I have a Beseler 45MXII and CB7 and they both handle short lenses easily -- but short lenses take on many variations. My Schneider 35mm & 28mm require short recessed boards, as well as my Rodenstock 25mm but they all are easy to focus & use. Many short enlarging lenses, like the Voss 25mm and my Minolta 30mm have recessed designs so they can use flat boards. Other short lenses have small condensers built on top of them -- so they don't need recessed boards either -- and the lenses have a focusing ring, unlike typical enlarging lenses. My Minolta ENLAUNIT 30mm and Yashica ATORON 21mm are of this design -- and Mamiya made FIVE versions of their 25mm ENLAHEAD.

So if you need to put short enlarging lenses on just about any enlarger, there are a LOT of options to choose from:

http://www.subclub.org/darkroom/lenses.htm

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a Beseler 45MXII and CB7 and they both handle short lenses easily -- but short lenses take on many variations. My Schneider 35mm & 28mm require short recessed boards, as well as my Rodenstock 25mm but they all are easy to focus & use. Many short enlarging lenses, like the Voss 25mm and my Minolta 30mm have recessed designs so they can use flat boards. Other short lenses have small condensers built on top of them -- so they don't need recessed boards either -- and the lenses have a focusing ring, unlike typical enlarging lenses. My Minolta ENLAUNIT 30mm and Yashica ATORON 21mm are of this design -- and Mamiya made FIVE versions of their 25mm ENLAHEAD.

So if you need to put short enlarging lenses on just about any enlarger, there are a LOT of options to choose from:

http://www.subclub.org/darkroom/lenses.htm

Although the Air Force did not use 1/2 frame we did have the 35mm with the recessed lens board and negative carrier, I guess procurement bought the kit from 1/2 frame to 4X5 just to be on the safe side, or perhaps, DIA used 16mm and 1/2 in intel work.

Focomat Ic.

I only used a Focemat II once or twice, while working for UPI the Nairobi field office had one. This at the end of UPI run as a competitor to AP and the Focemat was in poor shape, the bracket that held the negative stage and lamp housing were lose and bent a touch. I was able to get the prints I needed on the wire, always wanted to use one that was in good shape, I take ithe Ic is a 35mm version. Well it would be a great enlarger as long as all want to shoot is 35mm.

 

[Don_ih]

I take ithe Ic is a 35mm version.

It is. And it would be hard to beat. It's autofocus, the condenser clamps down on the negative to lock it in place, it has a lock on the baseboard to hold the easel in place (if you have an appropriate Leitz easel). Mine did not have a filter drawer, so I had to add a holder under the lens (which was easy). It's very well made - although I had to rewire mine completely, since all the insulation had turned to baked mud.

I also have a Valoy II, which is about as straightforward and enlarger as you can get.

But there are many 35mm enlargers that take up little space and are far more convenient to use than any 4x5 enlarger.

 

[88E30M50]

I brought the $50 enlarger home today. It looks like the guy I bought it off of got it from a school that had closed their photo department down. The enlarger came with several boxes of filters, some still brand new, a very nice grain focuser, a working timer, eaisles, a 50mm Beseler lens and two factory 35mm negative carriers for the 23C still in shrink wrapped packages. Also, there's another 35mm negative carrier for my 67C and several unopened boxes of photo paper as new as 2019. I have no idea how this was stored, so the paper may not be worth much, but that grain focuser is worth the $50 to me.

Everything seems to work well, so I'll start working on getting what I need to do 6x9 with it. It does need a bit of lube to smooth sticky adjusters also.

 

[xkaes]

Sound like the deal of the century to me. I assume there is no manual. You should get one on line and run through the set-up procedure to make sure things are A-OK. They can get banged around and get misaligned, etc.

The paper is probably OK. Are the "filters" magenta and yellow? Then the are VC filters for the paper.

 

[ic-racer]

I brought the $50 enlarger home today. It looks like the guy I bought it off of got it from a school that had closed their photo department down. The enlarger came with several boxes of filters, some still brand new, a very nice grain focuser, a working timer, eaisles, a 50mm Beseler lens and two factory 35mm negative carriers for the 23C still in shrink wrapped packages. Also, there's another 35mm negative carrier for my 67C and several unopened boxes of photo paper as new as 2019. I have no idea how this was stored, so the paper may not be worth much, but that grain focuser is worth the $50 to me.

Everything seems to work well, so I'll start working on getting what I need to do 6x9 with it. It does need a bit of lube to smooth sticky adjusters also.

Nice find. The manual should tell you what you need for 2x3"(6x9cm) printing. Usually a 105mm lens, negative carrier and appropriate illumination source (condensers or mixing box).

 

[mark_s90]

He has a Beseler 67C for 6x7 and smaller. So, unless he gets a good trade-in allowance....

But, yes - my Omega D2 would be ridiculous to use for 35mm - even though I have a holder.

But if calculations are correct, you can do a 30x36" print from a 35mm negative.

If you had one of the 40mm lenses, you could turn the column around, and use that D series enlarger for perhaps a 5'x7' print. Viewing distance of said print would be about 15 -20 feet, but the paper cost would be prohibitive.

 

[Don_ih]

But if calculations are correct, you can do a 30x36" print from a 35mm negative.

If you had one of the 40mm lenses, you could turn the column around, and use that D series enlarger for perhaps a 5'x7' print. Viewing distance of said print would be about 15 -20 feet, but the paper cost would be prohibitive.

Exceeds my paper size, that's for sure. I have only made about 6 16x20 prints in my life - and probably won't make many more.