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"Hands Down Best" Enlarger

G-Whiz

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Okay... I've just about given up on this hand-be-down Ahel and gonna spring for a "NEW" enlarger. What is the "BEST" non-commercial color/B&W enlarger and how much does it cost?:rolleyes:
 

Kevin Caulfield

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Let me be the first to say that you will get nearly as many different answers as the number of people who reply. What format? Is the best one the biggest one? Also what is your budget?
 

Roger Hicks

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G-Whiz said:
Okay... I've just about given up on this hand-be-down Ahel and gonna spring for a "NEW" enlarger. What is the "BEST" non-commercial color/B&W enlarger and how much does it cost?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

The best built of all time was probably the 1950s Blumfield, but it was incredibly basic. Blumfield was a keen amateur who owned an engineering works. Basically he took a Leitz enlarger design and cut out all the penny-pinching. I had one once.

The cleverest designs were probably Durst, but their support for enlargers that were more than a few years old was always very poor and now they're out of the business.

The best compromise on build quality, design and spares has to be a De Vere, and as they are still in business, parts are not a problem.

Cheers,

R.
 
OP
OP

G-Whiz

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35mm - medium format

Price is flexible; but looking for one that I won't out grow in a couple of years.

Support is a must; need to be able to find spare or xtra parts.

Basically, one with all the bells and whistle that I won't have to re-fi my house for.....
 

Captain_joe6

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I'm thinking a Beseler 23-series is right up your alley. Very reasonable price, new or used, built like tanks, interchangeable light sources, HUGE parts availability, everybody knows how to fix them and you can do pretty much everything yourself as well, solid frame, and the company is still around as well. That and just about everybody who has made or is making enlarger accessories (timers, filters, etc.) has the beseler 23 in mind. If you want to go bigger someday (4x5, 8x10), then consider a Beseler 45-series. They've got all the same advantages and perks, plus motorized elevation. It'd be pretty hard to go wrong with either of those.
 

Tom Stanworth

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I love Devere enlargers but am not sure if they are readily available in the US. Their 504, 507 and 108 are so simple, so strong. although possibly not the slickest instruments they are simple, reliable and tank like. I would expect the 203 to be the same. I have a Durst 138 and while good, if this is representative of teh Durst Devere difference I vote for Devere.
 

Nick Zentena

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I think KHB is the North American source for Devere. But price better be very flexible for Devere. But if somebody sold new Dursts they wouldn't be cheap either.

For parts I'd suggest looking at some thing that shares parts. Nice thing about the Beselers is all the 4x5s use the same neg and lens carriers. The same light sources. You'll always be able to find an old donor for parts.

When you say out grow unless you go up in format not much to out grow really.
 

Bill Mitchell

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For 35mm - Leica V35. For 6x9 - Leica IIc. For 4x5 - D Series Omega (with appropiate accessories). The Leicas are only available used. They are all built like tanks - my Omega D2 is now 54 years old and has never needed realirnment.
Perhaps the lens used is more important than the mechanical monster. I believe that Rodenstock's finest lens is probably the best on the market today.
 

jd callow

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I don't know about 35mm, but for 4x5 I would and did go for a Durst L1200. Parts are readily available online and at a fraction of the cost new.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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If you're trying to keep to a budget, the Beseler 23c/45m series enlargers are a terrific deal. I've had three 23c enlargers over the years, and never once has one let me down. I also have a 45m-series enlarger now- I got mine quite used, but in good condition (no major repairs required), and picked up a dichro head for it for not much either, all on The Auction Site. Lensboards are interchangeable between the 23c and 45m series enlargers. As previously mentioned, virtually all 3rd party accessories for enlargers are available for and compatible with the Beseler enlargers. The 23c has long been a favorite in school darkrooms - that should tell you something about the ease of use and the ruggedness of the enlarger.
 

John Simmons

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Omega/LPL 4500 Series with either the VCCE (variable contrast constant exposure) or the Dichroic Color Head. Still being built today. Aligned right out of the box... Used by famous photographers John Sexton, Bruce Barnbaum, etc. I also use one and it is a fantastic piece of equipment.

Regards,
John
 

Zathras

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G-Whiz said:
Okay... I've just about given up on this hand-be-down Ahel and gonna spring for a "NEW" enlarger. What is the "BEST" non-commercial color/B&W enlarger and how much does it cost?:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

What format are you using? I'm partial to the Omega D series myself. These cover 35mm to 4x5. Though they are commercial grade, they can be gotten quite cheaply used these days and there are tons of parts still available. If you want to buy a new enlarger, the Saunders 4500 series (also now known as Omega/LPL) enlargers are AWESOME, but expensive. Since yer in the Bay Area, I suggest a trip down to Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto. They have 2 locations on California Ave. practically across the the street from each other. The Darkroom Department is located upstairs at 290 California Ave. You should be able to find something you need.

By the way, what is the problem you're having with the Ahel? I don't know anything about them, but sometimes a fix that works on one kind of enlarger may work for another.
 
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