Is it worth upgrading an old enlarger?

skurstens · Feb 15, 2023

I recently acquired an old soviet enlarger Leningrad FU-3 (from the 50s) in working condition and I was wondering if these kind of vintage entry-level enlargers are worth using today? Or do they produce noticeably worse prints compared with some modern day enlargers (lets say for 8x6 B&W prints)?

As I understand, in principle all entry-level enlargers work more or less the same. Currently I’m planning to change the original soviet Industar i50u lens with some 50mm 6-element lens, but I'm not sure is it worth the cost?

Link to the enlarger: http://www.photohistory.ru/index.php?pid=1207248181049608

MattKing · Feb 15, 2023

Welcome to Photrio.
The linked attachment is fascinating.
It is hard to tell whether your enlarger is worth updating - it probably depends on condition.
If the enlarger can accept an enlarging lens with a standard 39mm mounting thread, it won't hurt to acquire a better lens for it, because you could always use that lens later on a more modern enlarger.

Sirius Glass · Feb 15, 2023

If it is the only enlarger you have, see what practical modification you can make that would make it better for you.

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!

faberryman · Feb 15, 2023

If you don't already have an enlarger, any enlarger that is in working order is a good place to start. You have nothing to lose. I would wait to upgrade the lens until you have determined the lens actually needs to be upgraded.

xkaes · Feb 15, 2023

Old enlargers are usually good at what they were designed to do -- even if they were/are inexpensive -- assuming they are in good physical shape.

As to lenses, nowadays you can buy really good lenses for next to nothing. For small B&W prints, a 6-element lens is not needed. A four-element lens used at f8 -- for $20 -- will do fine.

Paul Howell · Feb 15, 2023

Any lens you buy can be used on your next enlarger as well, old Russian glass were often good so I would give the current lens a try. If the Leinngrade is in it would work just as well a other brands. What is a draw back is that from I can see it does not appear to have filter drawer, you need to use a below the lens filter holder for VC filters.

snusmumriken · Feb 15, 2023

It looks to be a condenser enlarger, which you might like or might hate. Condenser enlargers give biting contrast, the downside of which is that they therefore emphasise grain and dust. Diffuser enlargers make a softer image which some people find dull, according to taste. There are also hybrids, eg with opal (diffused) bulbs and condensers too.

The lens is likely to be the best feature of that enlarger, and it’s ability to perform may even be limited by the engineering of the latter. So give it a fair trial before spending on another!

koraks · Feb 15, 2023

skurstens said:
Currently I’m planning to change the original soviet Industar i50u lens with some 50mm 6-element lens, but I'm not sure is it worth the cost?

Why not? A 50mm enlarger lens is pretty cheap to begin with, and if you ever move to another enlarger, odds are you can keep using it. It's not a sunk cost. You may have to kludge something to mount a 'modern' lens on that enlarger; I don't know what kind of thread they put on those Soviet enlargers, but I doubt it's standard M39. Just DIY something, have someone turn a lens plate for you or in a pinch you can even 3D print something that'll work.

Just give it a try. If it's essentially in working order, there's no reason why you couldn't make fine prints with it.

Besk · Feb 15, 2023

skurstens said:
I recently acquired an old soviet enlarger Leningrad FU-3 (from the 50s) in working condition and I was wondering if these kind of vintage entry-level enlargers are worth using today? Or do they produce noticeably worse prints compared with some modern day enlargers (lets say for 8x6 B&W prints)?

As I understand, in principle all entry-level enlargers work more or less the same. Currently I’m planning to change the original soviet Industar i50u lens with some 50mm 6-element lens, but I'm not sure is it worth the cost?

Link to the enlarger: http://www.photohistory.ru/index.php?pid=1207248181049608

Make sure the condenser glass is clean and everything is aligned. You should be ok for a start.
Under the lens filters will be needed with variable contrast papers.

xkaes · Feb 15, 2023

Paul Howell said:
... old Russian glass were often good so I would give the current lens a try. If the Leinngrade is in it would work just as well a other brands.

Definitely. Tell us what the lens is and we might have some info. Who knows, it might be on this list of enlarging lenses:

http://photocornucopia.com/1061.html

If there is a problem with the lens -- fungus, oil, etc. -- let us know about that too.

mshchem · Feb 15, 2023

skurstens said:
I recently acquired an old soviet enlarger Leningrad FU-3 (from the 50s) in working condition and I was wondering if these kind of vintage entry-level enlargers are worth using today? Or do they produce noticeably worse prints compared with some modern day enlargers (lets say for 8x6 B&W prints)?

As I understand, in principle all entry-level enlargers work more or less the same. Currently I’m planning to change the original soviet Industar i50u lens with some 50mm 6-element lens, but I'm not sure is it worth the cost?

Link to the enlarger: http://www.photohistory.ru/index.php?pid=1207248181049608

I would clean it up and try it. You're going to need Ilford contrast filters for sure. Depending on what you're going to use this equipment for, may be just fine.

skurstens · Feb 15, 2023

Thanks for advice! I will look around for some lenses and see if that makes visible difference.

Technically enlarger is in a good shape, it isn’t wobbly and the focus ring runs smoothly. The negative carrier has a “tray” for filter, so filters sit a few mm above the negative. Also it uses m39 lens mount. Currently it has an Industar I50U lens (50mm 3.5).

grahamp · Feb 15, 2023

The only Soviet-era enlarger I used was one of those that packed into the box that formed the base board. That one was odd because it focus tracked as the head height was changed. This was fine with the original lens, but the 50mm 2.8 EL-Nikkor I used obviously had a different flange location and needed manual focusing. Not an issue, really.

The parallelogram arm reminds me of an old 6x6 MPP I used to have. Handy for small framing adjustments.

You may have to adjust the bulb height and rotate it a bit to get the most even coverage.

reddesert · Feb 16, 2023

The enlarger's main jobs are to keep the negative, lens, and baseboard parallel, illuminate the negative evenly, and allow you to adjust focus smoothly. The rest of it is basically features that make it more convenient or easy. Because working in the dark is difficult, convenience is important, but all the same there's no real reason to upgrade an enlarger until it starts to limit you. The lens, an Industar-50, is a Tessar type lens (Industar always means Tessar type) and probably fine for its purpose; people often stop enlarger lenses down to f/8 or so anyway.

So basically, I don't think different enlargers make worse prints, unless they are really terrible and dim. Printing takes some getting used to and if an enlarger starts to frustrate the user, then the user may be limited in making better prints. But for example, rather than upgrading an enlarger right off, I would advise somebody to acquire an easel of your choice, a grain focuser, an set of multigrade or polycontrast filters, and a exposure time calculator scale like the Delta Projection Print scale, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/15711-REG/Delta_12610_Projection_Print_Calculator_Scale.html - basically a test strip maker. These things will save more darkroom time than a fancier enlarger or lens.

bernard_L · Feb 16, 2023

All the above, plus:

Is it mechanically sturdy?
Consider replacing the original (frosted?) bulb with a similar sized 4000K LED bulb; less heat, no fear of negative popping.

Nitroplait · Feb 16, 2023

skurstens said:
Currently I’m planning to change the original soviet Industar i50u lens with some 50mm 6-element lens, but I'm not sure is it worth the cost?

The Sovjet lenses can be hit and miss. Maybe ok, maybe not - QC wasn't always that great. No reason not to test what you have first.

Be aware that age and storage may have allowed haze to develop in the lens - typical on the surfaces facing the aperture blades. If so and if you can't clean it yourself, looking for a better clean lens is a good idea.

Enlarger lenses are inexpensive and can also be used on your next enlarger, should you choose to upgrade some day. An EL-Nikkor 50/2.8 will not break the bank - but be aware of which thread diameter your enlarger uses before buying - otherwise you'll have another project before you can actually use the lens.

snusmumriken · Feb 16, 2023

What camera are you using? To my mind, there’s no point buying an enlarger lens that’s way better than the camera lens. But obviously it would be frustrating if the enlarger lens degrades the recorded image. You would notice that by studying the negative with a loupe and comparing the print. But be aware that vibration, poor alignment of negative and baseboard, and negative popping due to heat can all degrade sharpness and be mistaken for poor lens performance.

I haven’t used a condenser enlarger for several decades, but I can give you one piece of practical advice from that experience. When you adjust the vertical position of the bulb to get even illumination across the negative area, keep hold of its column until the retaining screw has a firm hold. Otherwise the bulb can drop and smash into tiny shards all over the condenser!

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2023

snusmumriken said:
What camera are you using? To my mind, there’s no point buying an enlarger lens that’s way better than the camera lens. But obviously it would be frustrating if the enlarger lens degrades the recorded image. You would notice that by studying the negative with a loupe and comparing the print. But be aware that vibration, poor alignment of negative and baseboard, and negative popping due to heat can all degrade sharpness and be mistaken for poor lens performance.

I haven’t used a condenser enlarger for several decades, but I can give you one piece of practical advice from that experience. When you adjust the vertical position of the bulb to get even illumination across the negative area, keep hold of its column until the retaining screw has a firm hold. Otherwise the bulb can drop and smash into tiny shards all over the condenser!

What if one later buys a better camera lens? Enlarger lenses are so inexpensive that for a little more one could buy a much better lens and save a cycle of selling a lessor lens to buy the better lens.

snusmumriken · Feb 16, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
What if one later buys a better camera lens? Enlarger lenses are so inexpensive that for a little more one could buy a much better lens and save a cycle of selling a lessor lens to buy the better lens.

Yes, but who knows which way the OP’s interest might change? He might choose to use Russian cameras exclusively, or high-end 35mm, or he might switch to MF. All I’m saying is that a better lens may not improve anything at this stage.

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2023

snusmumriken said:
Yes, but who knows which way the OP’s interest might change? He might choose to use Russian cameras exclusively, or high-end 35mm, or he might switch to MF. All I’m saying is that a better lens may not improve anything at this stage.

Anyone silly enough to get into ~~APUG~~ Photrio is doomed to a descending spiral into buy better lenses, cameras, larger formats and darkroom equipment. I had used 35mm Minoltas for decades and was happy, then I joined APUG. Since then I have moved up to medium format, the Hasselblads, many lenses, setting up a color and black & white darkroom, Jobo processor ... the list keeps growing. Because you have read this far, we all know that you are doomed and all hope is lost.

snusmumriken · Feb 16, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Anyone silly enough to get into ~~APUG~~ Photrio is doomed to a descending spiral into buy better lenses, cameras, larger formats and darkroom equipment. I had used 35mm Minoltas for decades and was happy, then I joined APUG. Since then I have moved up to medium format, the Hasselblads, many lenses, setting up a color and black & white darkroom, Jobo processor ... the list keeps growing. Because you have read this far, we all know that you are doomed and all hope is lost.

Not me, my feet are on the ground. Let’s hope for the OP.

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2023

snusmumriken said:
Not me, my feet are on the ground. Let’s hope for the OP.

There is no hope for the OP, he is doomed just being here.

koraks · Feb 16, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
There is no hope for the OP, he is doomed just being here.

Good. It's way more fun being doomed together than to be alone

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2023

koraks said:
Good. It's way more fun being doomed together than to be alone

Power in numbers!

DF · Mar 28, 2023

Just who were these Soviet citizens that engaged in photography?
How would such a pursuit been possible?
This enlarger must be a relic from the old KGB....

Is it worth upgrading an old enlarger?

skurstens

MattKing

Moderator

Sirius Glass

faberryman

xkaes

Paul Howell

snusmumriken

koraks

Moderator

Besk

xkaes

mshchem

skurstens

grahamp

reddesert

bernard_L

Nitroplait

snusmumriken

Sirius Glass

snusmumriken

Sirius Glass

snusmumriken

Sirius Glass

koraks

Moderator

Sirius Glass

DF

Is it worth upgrading an old enlarger?

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency