If you could keep just one enlarger ...

Sirius Glass · Sep 16, 2019

In line with the never ending, much too often occurring "If you could keep just one camera ..." and "If you were ship wrecked on a deserted island and had nothing available to eat, which camera would you choose?" threads, I hereby open the "If you could keep just one enlarger ..." thread!

I would keep my Chromega Dichroic II 5D-XL enlarger. Why? Because it is the only enlarger I have ever owned.

mike c · Sep 16, 2019

I'm thinking my Omega D2-v, had it since 1968 ,it has condensers and an old style cold light head with a compensating timer but with old style lamp, so not to good for VC papers. I have too other enlargers ,one in storage and one in darkroom with the Omega.

BradS · Sep 16, 2019

....but why is the rum gone?

RalphLambrecht · Sep 16, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
In line with the never ending, much too often occurring "If you could keep just one camera ..." and "If you were ship wrecked on a deserted island and had nothing available to eat, which camera would you choose?" threads, I hereby open the "If you could keep just one enlarger ..." thread!

I would keep my Chromega Dichroic II 5D-XL enlarger. Why? Because it is the only enlarger I have ever owned.

a Durst, any Durst.

MattKing · Sep 16, 2019

I have two:
1) an Omega D6 with Ilford Multigrade 400 head and controller and condenser light sources (plus a backup Ilford Multigrade 500 head and controller), and a slew of lenses and accessories; and
2) an in storage Beseler 67 with Dichroic colour head and condenser light sources, and a slew of lenses and accessories.
I'm using the D6 right now, so I would keep it.
But I would be happy to rely on the Beseler.

StepheKoontz · Sep 16, 2019

I have a beseler 45 with the regular dial type dichro color head (two lamp one) and it does a great job.

markbau · Sep 16, 2019

I have owned or used many enlargers over the years and as long as I only wanted to do medium format I would keep an LPL 67 hands down. They are rock solid, well-engineered, but most importantly, once aligned they stay aligned. I have used quite a few Bessler and Omega enlargers and whilst they work fine they seemed to go out of alignment regularly. My all-time favourite enlarger that I have used was a Durst 8x10, a thing of beauty but too big for most darkrooms!

mshchem · Sep 16, 2019

I have 5 enlargers setup. I'm keeping them all.
My biggest darkroom score: Zone VI 8x10 type 2 with a VC head, Zone VI 5x7 with VC head both new in 2001. These are run through a Metrolux II timer that's magical. Don't hate me I bought these from the original owner, I don't think these were used more than a few times. These came with 50, 105 and 240mm Rodagons, a extra Zone VI compensating timer, and the famous Zone VI temperature compensating developing timer. Brand new 20 x 24 Cescolite trays, I drove 200 miles round trip the Whole Lot $300 US. I had SKG modify one of the medium format carriers for the 5x7 to 6x17 works perfectly.

My other 3 are Beseler 4x5 MX, one has the Beseler Universal 45 VC head, closed loop, 3 lamps, dichro filters green, blue. And 1 lamp with an IR filter. One 4x5 has the same Beseler Universal 45 head, additive RGB closed loop. One has VC controller one has color controller.

Finally I have a Beseler 4x5 MX with a condenser lamp house for after the Russians hack the grid to get Trump out of jail.

I've been collecting this junk for 50 years and I love it. Maybe someday I will splurge for a LED source for the 8x10 so I can print color from a 8x10 negative, not likely.

It's fun to be young (er) and insane! !!

mshchem · Sep 17, 2019

StepheKoontz said:
I have a beseler 45 with the regular dial type dichro color head (two lamp one) and it does a great job.

That's the most reliable color head Beseler made. I used one for quite a while, the separate blower and the spring that comes out of the transformer. That's a classic! Mine was the very groovy 70's Beseler blue

iakustov · Sep 17, 2019

Durst 138.
Just bought the AN glass for the negative holder and the spare lamps I have should be enough for many many years of wet printing work.

chip j · Sep 17, 2019

I can't decide between my Durst M35 Micromat & my Leitz 1c, the finest 35mm enlargers ever built.

BradS · Sep 17, 2019

I only have the little Durst F30? right now. I had an Omega D2-V but I think my ex might have got it in the divorce settlement...I don’t know, it might be in storage somewhere.

The little Durst doesn’t take up much space on the counter top and makes lovely 5x7s from 35mm and can even be coaxed into making an 8x10 occasionally. I’m pretty happy with it.

gordrob · Sep 17, 2019

Durst 138S. It is nice dependable set up with lots of extras including a Condit registration system and a couple of extra bulbs. I am sure it will keep me going for the next couple of years.

Frank53 · Sep 17, 2019

I have only one enlarger and I don’t need anything else. It’s a LPL 7454 wth a Heiland split grade module. As I’m only doing black and white, it’s perfect for me. I got it almost free on a local auction site.
Regards,
Frank

mpirie · Sep 17, 2019

I'd keep my Durst L1200 with the Ilford MG500 head and controller setup.

I have 2 spare L1200 setups in case i need them along with a Durst L1000 with condensor and dichroic heads.

Mike

Mick Fagan · Sep 17, 2019

I've used quite a few enlargers and owned a handful, but my current enlarger, a De Vere 504 free standing unit with a colour head, is to die for. Had it for almost 20 years, as rigid as anything and once aligned, is virtually guaranteed never to go out of alignment unless you seriously abuse it. You do need a bit of room as I think it is about 2.4m when fully extended. Mine almost nudges the ceiling of my darkroom.

Bliss to use.

Mick.

removed account4 · Sep 17, 2019

either omega E4, a bare bulb ( not enlarging much ) or the beam of light.

guangong · Sep 17, 2019

All of the comments about Durst make me envious, but since I work with a variety of formats, from Minox to 45, I’ll keep my Minox, Leitz IIc and Beseler 45. If my answer must agree with which camera must be kept, then the Leitz.

Paul Howell · Sep 17, 2019

My D3, I have condenser and cold light head, lens from 50 to 162, and it works really well with LED bulbs.

John51 · Sep 17, 2019

I would cheat and have the head of my Kodak Precision A modded to fit the column of my Durst Modular.

As is, I would reluctantly let the Durst go and live with the antwacky Kodak column.

wyofilm · Sep 17, 2019

My 4x5 LPL VC head. Very nice to use. Parts are easily available since they are currently being manufactured. I also have a dichroic head for it.

Dali · Sep 17, 2019

I would keep my Durst M605 Color as it is the only one I have.

If I had to change, it would be for another Durst.

KenS · Sep 17, 2019

Sirius Glass said:
In line with the never ending, much too often occurring "If you could keep just one camera ..." and "If you were ship wrecked on a deserted island and had nothing available to eat, which camera would you choose?" threads, I hereby open the "If you could keep just one enlarger ..." thread!

I would keep my Chromega Dichroic II 5D-XL enlarger. Why? Because it is the only enlarger I have ever owned.

I have a Durst Laboritor 1000 that has served me well for many years.. that being said... I would gladly 'swap'.. or 'trade' for a 381s (with point source capabilities) at the 'drop of a hat'

Ken

Andrew O'Neill · Sep 17, 2019

I mainly do alt process printing but... I'd keep my first enlarger I ever bought, the Fujimoto aka Lucky 4x5 with Aristo 4500 VC head, when I feel the urge to print gelatin silver. The 8x10 I'd bin as it's just an old copy camera I converted. I'd sell the Arista 1212 head that sits on it, though. It's got the newer tube in it...

Dali · Sep 17, 2019

BradS said:
I only have the little Durst F30? right now. I had an Omega D2-V but I think my ex might have got it in the divorce settlement...I don’t know, it might be in storage somewhere.

The little Durst doesn’t take up much space on the counter top and makes lovely 5x7s from 35mm and can even be coaxed into making an 8x10 occasionally. I’m pretty happy with it.

I agree. The Durst F30 is a fine enlarger for 35mm negatives, no thrill but easy to carry and store (important when the lab is not permanent). I used one for almost 10 years and never complained.

If you could keep just one enlarger ...

Sirius Glass

mike c

BradS

RalphLambrecht

MattKing

Moderator

StepheKoontz

markbau

mshchem

mshchem

iakustov

chip j

BradS

gordrob

Frank53

mpirie

Mick Fagan

removed account4

guangong

Paul Howell

John51

wyofilm

Dali

KenS

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

Dali

If you could keep just one enlarger ...

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