hello,
i am the happy owner of durst laborator 900 with a CLS 450 head that i use since years
i use 135, 6x7 and 6x9 negatives but recently i buy a 4x5 camera and i would like to know how i can use 4x5 negatives
if not, can i change only some parts and which one (and where can i find them).
thanks a lot for your help
have a nice day
The simple answer... no.
The L900 is a superb enlarger but it cannot handle 4x5. You would need a Laborator 1000 or 1200 or 138s (138s can do up to 5x7 and is a simple yet superb piece of equipment).
No it won't do a 4x5 but you may be able to enlarge part of the neg with the 6x9 carrier insert, I am using a L1200
and it is the next model up from your L900 and it covers 4x5 and is of the same build quality.
You may be able to find a L1200 Body and transfer your color head, or you could just buy another enlarger
Assuming it would fit on your column (which I doubt it would), you would need the following items:
CLS450 head
TRA450 power supply
FEMONEG carrier
FEMOBOX - The 5x4 will cover all sizes if you only want the one.
FEMOMASK to fit above for the negative sizes you wish to enlarge
(alternatively) FEMOGLA - Both Anti-Newton and plain.
Beefed up spring for the column.
Dangly fine focus rod & coupling.
Whilst the above do appear from time to time on ebay, they will end up costing you way more than you could buy a complete enlarger for. L1200 enlargers do turn up as complete packages, but due to the size & weight, most of the time you would need to be able to collect.
You also may find this page helpful, they have a good reputation but the prices are a bit too high for me, but you know that the enlargers will be in good condition