How big is a Durst L1000?

Jedidiah Smith · May 29, 2009

Hi all,
I was originally on a search for a Minolta enlarger, but have come across a lady very close (within 1/2 hr. drive) that is selling a Durst Laborator 1000 for a good price.
She said it goes up to 4x5...which is making me wonder - exactly how big is this thing?
I know Durst made some quality stuff...is this one a decent performer?
Thanks for any help on this question!
Sincerely,
Jed

KenS · May 29, 2009

L1000

Jedidiah Smith said:
Hi all,
I know Durst made some quality stuff...is this one a decent performer?
Thanks for any help on this question!
Sincerely,
Jed

Jed,

My L1000 is but a few feet away... what exactly do you need in way of 'size'?

If you have height 'clearance" you can make 20 x24" enlargements from 4x5 negs using a 150mm lens.

Back in the '70s Durst had lapel buttons... "Built like a Durst"... and they meant it"

Ken

Marco B · May 29, 2009

If my more modern L1200 is anything to go by, it IS quite big. My L1200 probably weighs in at some 25-35kg, but I don't know exactly.

It has a base plate of 65x65 cm, and a column height of about 1.2 meters. May not sound much, but if you see it standing on a table top...

But it is one hell of an enlarger!

If you do manage to lay your hands on a L1200, you might be better of, since these were produced until Durst quit altogether with enlargers, meaning spare parts are more easily obtained.

Nick Zentena · May 29, 2009

The 1000 is a desktop enlarger. I've picked mine [with it's colour head] up one handed. No quality issues. IIRC the B&W head uses a strange bulb. Various colour heads were sold.

Jedidiah Smith · May 29, 2009

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm thinking more of "counter top space" problem. For example, what would the base size be L x W? Height may not be much of a problem because the ceiling is pretty tall...
Again, I do appreciate it - she is asking only $50 and it is close enough for local pickup, so may end up being much better deal for me than holding out for the Minolta enlarger that I wanted.

Jed

bdial · May 29, 2009

If necessary, you could ditch the baseboard and mount it directly to the counter. Or else, make one from plywood or MDF that fits the space you have available.
If it's in working condition, and has the carriers you need, it would be well worth the money.

Bob-D659 · May 29, 2009

I've got a Ce1000, the baseboard is 20"w x25" deep. Column height is 43 1/2 inches above the baseboard, whih is 2 1/4 inches thick. The CLS 450 colour head and mixer box extend 12" above the column at max height. So you need 5 ft clearance above the counter. With a recessed lens board and mount, a 50mm lens can do 16x20 with ease from a 35mm neg You don't need an arm extender to reach the focus knob when using a grain magnifier either. According to the column, the magnification with a 75mm lens is 12x, 105mm - 8.5x, 135mm - 6x, 150mm 5x. At max height the focus knob is around 40 inches above the baseboard.

I'd go look at if for sure for that price.

Nick Zentena · May 29, 2009

bdial said:
If necessary, you could ditch the baseboard and mount it directly to the counter.

Not on mine you can't. The baseboard is over a sort of X shaped cast metal base. At least that's what I remember. Taking off the baseboard would only let you mount a different baseboard.

doughowk · May 29, 2009

I have two - one is table mount and other is wall mount. With the latter, ofcourse, you can use any base or the floor. I used a counter top mounted rather low to give me plenty of height. On my site you can download the manual.

Jedidiah Smith · May 29, 2009

Ok, well, that's not too awfully big - I was thinking "giant" to do 4x5 but maybe this will work. Thanks to all and a special thanks to Bob for working out all the dimensions for me! That gives me an idea of what I'm up against to find room for it.
I'll let you all know how I make out here...I hear the 4x5 Land sweetly calling my name...one of these days!
Jed

johnnywalker · May 29, 2009

Nick Zentena said:
The 1000 is a desktop enlarger. I've picked mine [with it's colour head] up one handed. No quality issues. IIRC the B&W head uses a strange bulb. Various colour heads were sold.

If you can pick that sucker up with one hand you're a lot stronger than I am.

Nick Zentena · May 30, 2009

It's a tiny next to my CB-7. I used to store the 1000 sitting on the CB-7. That's a biggin.

mpirie · May 30, 2009

johnnywalker said:
If you can pick that sucker up with one hand you're a lot stronger than I am.

Johnny,

If he can pick an L1000 up with one hand, I wouldn't argue with him!

Mike

phaedrus · Jun 1, 2009

Nick Zentena said:
The 1000 is a desktop enlarger. I've picked mine [with it's colour head] up one handed.

Didn't know the Californian governor was on APUG!

michaelbsc · Jun 11, 2009

Jed, the carcass of one that I have is pretty big, but not unmanageable in the back of a car to get home if you break it down. I don't have enough pieces for mine to get a 'working' model, but I'm scrounging now to turn it into the most rock solid copy stand east of the Mississippi. They weigh a ton, and I'm not going to argue with anyone who can one-hand it either.

(The Phototherm is still going strong, BTW. Thanks a million for that one.)

Michael

Jedidiah Smith · Jun 11, 2009

Michael,
Nice to see you on here again! Well, we ended up moving down to SoCal and I'm still trying to get my practice into the black (i.e. I need an income from making people well, not a hobby!) but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks to everyone for the information on the Durst enlarger. After much (and I mean a lot) of debating with myself, I was getting ready to pull the trigger on it, and Gary's brother (from APUG) wrote me regarding the Minolta enlarger, and said he is willing to ship it from GA to CA for a very reasonable price. So in the end, I will be going that route, it is what I have been wanting for so long...but the Durst was a really good option, and almost went for it.
Thanks for everything, and all that info will come in handy some day, I am sure! This is such a good place for all the years of knowledge one can get in just a few days of posts!
Take care,
Jed

How big is a Durst L1000?

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