Just how big is a Durst 138?

matti · Dec 2, 2006

Sometimes it is possible to buy Durst 138 enlargers quite cheap here. Does anyone have the dimensions? (I don't have the largest of dark rooms...) And also, would it be possible to cut down the pillar, if needed? It would be ok to cut a bit in the ceiling of my basement. But I suppose I wouldn't be so popular if it had to come up through the floor.

/matti

Ole · Dec 2, 2006

It's only about 205cm high, should fit in most rooms. The "footprint" is about 70x70cm.

I wouldn't cut the column, but it's easy to do coarse focus raising and lowering the table, and only fine focus with the head. That way it doesn't need the full maximim height!

matti · Dec 2, 2006

Hi Ole. Grejt! It's only a couple of mm:s too long then And the foot print won't be too much more than my Durst M80. I just won't be able to store any of my wifes flower pots under it.

/matti

naturephoto1 · Dec 2, 2006

matti said:
Hi Ole. Grejt! It's only a couple of mm:s too long then And the foot print won't be too much more than my Durst M80. I just won't be able to store any of my wifes flower pots under it.

/matti

Hi Matti,

Just make sure you can get in through the basement door.

Rich

matti · Dec 2, 2006

Oh! That door is pretty narrow, actually. But I suppose things can be taken apart?
/matti

naturephoto1 said:
Just make sure you can get in through the basement door.

Rich

Ole · Dec 2, 2006

matti said:
Hi Ole. Grejt! It's only a couple of mm:s too long then And the foot print won't be too much more than my Durst M80. I just won't be able to store any of my wifes flower pots under it.

I just went up and had a look, and as mine stands now it's quite exactly 193cm high (as am I). No, flower pots won't fit under the table. Unless they're small - there's a full set of condensors and 15kg sodium thiosulfate under mine

matti · Dec 2, 2006

Thanks! No problem, then.
/matti

Ole said:
I just went up and had a look, and as mine stands now it's quite exactly 193cm high (as am I). No, flower pots won't fit under the table. Unless they're small - there's a full set of condensors and 15kg sodium thiosulfate under mine

lee · Dec 2, 2006

I took my Durst 138 apart the head came off and the column came apart into two pieces and the board came off. I was able to transport it about 300 miles like that then I put it back together and use it today.

lee\c

Ole · Dec 2, 2006

lee said:
I took my Durst 138 apart the head came off and the column came apart into two pieces and the board came off. I was able to transport it about 300 miles like that then I put it back together and use it today.

I didn't find out how to take it apart until after I'd finished carrying it up the stairs to the first floor darkroom...

jp80874 · Dec 2, 2006

Take a look at a Durst 184 (ten feet tall) and the 138S will seem light, compact and desirable. It is all a matter of perspective. By the way a Durst 45EM is the same machine by a different marketing name if you should see one of those for sale. I drove two 138Ss four hours back from Detroit to Cleveland in the back of a Toyota Highlander SUV if that helps gauge size.

John Powers

matti · Dec 2, 2006

I just saw THIS for sale in Sweden. Quite cheap if wouldn't need a new house
/matti

jp80874 said:
Take a look at a Durst 184 (ten feet tall) and the 138S will seem light, compact and desirable. It is all a matter of perspective. By the way a Durst 45EM is the same machine by a different marketing name if you should see one of those for sale. I drove two 138Ss four hours back from Detroit to Cleveland in the back of a Toyota Highlander SUV if that helps gauge size.

John Powers

matti · Dec 2, 2006

One more question about the 138, while I'm at it: I suppose it is still possible to use it to enlarge my 35 mm negs to, say 8x10? I wouldn't need to keep my smaller fanless enlarger for that? Or is the big one only good for large stuff?
/matti

egdinger · Dec 4, 2006

I havn't used mine for 35mm, but I have done 6x6. Works fine. The only thing I'm not sure of is if a 50mm will focus? Mine came with a latub, maybe for a reason?

Ole · Dec 4, 2006

I haven't tried 35mm either, but I have a 35mm negative carrier and a Latub too... It just happens that I also have a 6x6 enlarger set up, so I only use the L138S for 6x7 and up.

lee · Dec 4, 2006

I would think that if one has the proper condenser set up you could print from 35mm negs with some ease. That said, I think a smaller enlarger might be the way to go.

lee\c

jp80874 · Dec 4, 2006

matti said:
I just saw THIS for sale in Sweden. Quite cheap if wouldn't need a new house
/matti

WOW!! It might cost more than a new house. Some spouses might consider that grounds for divorce. I don't know your marital status, but it certainly is worth a conversation if there is a spouse.

John Powers

gordrob · Dec 4, 2006

It's not a problem printing 35mm on the 138 but make sure that you have the right condensers (130 over an 85), recessed lens board (LATUB) and inserts for the negative carrier. The NEGA 138 carrier should have either a LAPFE 35 insert for 35mm film or the Ladane 138 or 72 insert for 35- 70mm film. Also check the lamp to make sure it works. If it is a large OPAL bulb - they are becoming harder to find to replace the original. As for height - I have the head spaced to rise into the joists in the basement to give me the height I need.

Regards
Gord

matti · Dec 5, 2006

Well I did buy this.
So now I just need an LF camera to go with it! Now if I sell that filmscanner...

If I need two enlargers to be able to do 35mm I would need to get something smaller than my Durst M80 to go with the big one. In the picture it looks like something there might be a recessed lens board.

/matti

gordrob · Dec 5, 2006

My earlier comments referred to a B&W condenser Durst 138. The one in the picture is has a colour head so I am not sure what you need to change film sizes. It has a good selection of lens boards and some ofthe LAPFE neg carrier inserts. Looks like a good deal if my currency conversion is right. Good luck getting it into your darkroom - it should still break down into three pieces.

Regrads
Gord

Ole · Dec 5, 2006

That looks very good to me to. I notice there are several mixing chambers, so you don't lose too much light when enlarging 35mm even if there is no 35mm mixing chamber. Good buy - and you don't have to hunt world wide for condensers (one of mine camer from Germany, five from Australia).

matti · Dec 5, 2006

Hi all,
I talked to the seller today and he said that it was complete from 35mm to 5x7 (except for lenses then).

Ole, now I am revealing what a neophyte I am, but, condensers? Is it possible to change from diffusion to condensers in the same enlarger?

Concerning focal length and negative size, is there a reason except for exposure time and ultimate size to not use, say an 80 mm lens for 35 mm? Today I sometimes feel a bit cramped when doing small enlargements with my 50 mm lens. I guess it might even feel a bit ridiculous on this new beast.

/matti

Ole · Dec 5, 2006

Matti, my 138S has a condenser head. Since colour heads alone tend to cost more than a complete enlarger, I haven't converted it to colour yet. Maybe I never will - I like it as it is.

Come to think of it. I have a colour head - the small old one, can't remember the name. But I don't have a power supply for it. If I should happen to find one, it's a five minute job to convert the beast!

As to lenses - the last few days I've been printing 35mm negs full-frame on 9.5x12" paper. I use a 80mm lens to get some working distance for burn & dodge...

George Papantoniou · Dec 6, 2006

I've recieved a call Sunday from a guy who wants to offer me one for free (a laborator 138) !!!!!! I haven't seen it yet, but the guy doesn't live far from here and it sure is worth checking. He has no lenses, I don't know about the condensers. I think I'll have it installed in the darkroom I am planning to make for the Photo-Group we have here in my area. It's too big for mine and I don't use 5x7 cameras. It's a great machine, I used one a lot while I was a student and I am sure that you'll enjoy working with it. You have to take care to align it correctly (it's not that simple) before starting to work with it.

Philippe-Georges · Dec 6, 2006

The 138 is perfect for 6x17 cm negs.
And for the lighthead, I have also the coldlight system, but I recently saw an other used one in Brussels for about 200 Euro, ballast (the thing you need for the high voltage neontube) and transformer included, in working order.
If you want a colourlight head, look for the LAVACO with the AGFA filtersystem mounted on it, no special powerset needed and the bulbs can still be found. But you will need the consdesers.

Philippe

matti · Dec 6, 2006

Free is certainly a good price per kg on these babies!

I picked it up today. It included lots of stuff like timer with foot switch, negative holders, masks, extra glass, a lot of lens plates including one for a 50 mm lens and three different diffusion boxes. It seems to be in good condition. About calibration: the ammount of levers, wheels and screws on it certainly makes it more possible to do it than with my small enlarger. But I suppose it will take some time to figure it all out and get it aligned.

I also bought two Componon-lenses for it: 150+240 mm for about $100. They were a bit dusty but I suppose they should be good to start with anyway.

I am curious about one thing about the enlarger. It seems like there could be some sort of signal cabel from the timer to the colour head. It is not the normal poser cable from the transformer but another one directly from the timer. What could that be for?

/matti

Just how big is a Durst 138?

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Just how big is a Durst 138?

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