Kienzle enlargers and equipment (including 4x5")

Tom Kershaw · Feb 22, 2011

I'm a De Vere enlarger user but I was intrigued to come across the Kienzle web site again recently, specifically noting the company appears to manufacture a 4x5" model. Is anyone here familiar with the Kienzle products?

Tom

mono · Feb 22, 2011

A small, but fine German producer of well manufactured enlargers. And the only one remaining!
Very solid products.
And they do repairs on other enlargers.
And they are very customer friendly by all means.

And: I haven´t got one so far!

Tom Kershaw · Feb 22, 2011

I wonder how much the C120 "compact" 4x5 model costs and what the full spec is?

Tom

Frank_Ulrich · Feb 22, 2011

It will be expensive but it may survive us all.... To my knowledge, these enlargers have the best possible reputation.
Ask there:
http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/home_english/contact/contact.html
Mr. Kienzle will be delighted to answer all your questions.
Best Frank

sgoetzin · Feb 22, 2011

I do own an 6x9 Kienzle enlarger bought new on the Photokina in 2006. The price for the enlarger was about 1.800 € with the Heiland Splitgrade Controller included.
Build quality is at top level, very solid, build for a lifetime.
As far as I can remember the prices in 2006 for the 4x5 inch was around 3000 € (without the splitgrade controller).
Maybe the do also sell second hand enlarger for a better price.
But I think the best is to contact Mr Kienzle diretly by mail (kienzle-phototechnik@t-online.de).
He will give you all the details and prices.

Best regards,

Serge

Tom Kershaw · Feb 22, 2011

Assuming these enlargers are of the quality described it is a shame they are not better known in the United Kingdom.

Tom

K-G · Feb 22, 2011

I agree with the other Kienzle customers. Two years ago I bought some spareparts for my Focomat IIC from Kienzle, some directly from the shelf and some custom made. Everything worked out just fine with top quality products and good order on paperwork and freight handling. Ask them about your problems as they seem to have information about more products than listed on their web-page. Just have some patience as e-mail answers may take a day or two, but they will come.

Karl-Gustaf

Tom Kershaw · Feb 22, 2011

K-G said:
I agree with the other Kienzle customers. Two years ago I bought some spareparts for my Focomat IIC from Kienzle, some directly from the shelf and some custom made. Everything worked out just fine with top quality products and good order on paperwork and freight handling. Ask them about your problems as they seem to have information about more products than listed on their web-page. Just have some patience as e-mail answers may take a day or two, but they will come.

Karl-Gustaf

I think I've seen a reference somewhere to Kienzle print washers in addition to the enlargers.

Tom

ooze · Feb 23, 2011

mono said:
A small, but fine German producer of well manufactured enlargers. And the only one remaining!

I thought Kaiser still build enlargers.

Sammelwahn · Feb 23, 2011

ooze said:
I thought Kaiser still build enlargers.

And Dunco, Berlin, Germany. But only up to 6x7 cm.

http://www.dunco.de/labor-vergroesserer.php

jelke · Feb 23, 2011

there are just two for sale on ebay..

http://cgi.ebay.de/Kienzle-KB-6x7-V...3348?pt=Fotolabor_Zubehör&hash=item45f8e3f8c4

http://cgi.ebay.de/Paul-Kienzle-Pri...6442?pt=Fotolabor_Zubehör&hash=item20b73e4b0a

mono · Feb 23, 2011

Yes, I am sorry, I forgot Dunco and Kaiser, still existing!

But for me Kienzle is the Mercedes Benz of the Enlargers ;-)

Tom Kershaw · Feb 23, 2011

mono said:
But for me Kienzle is the Mercedes Benz of the Enlargers ;-)

Are Mercedes Benz cars still well made?

Tom

Adrian Twiss · Jun 30, 2011

Tom Kershaw said:
Are Mercedes Benz cars still well made?

Tom

Not the last one I owned. The EMU packed in and it nearly killed me turning onto a busy dual carriageway.

giampiero duronio · Jul 25, 2011

Good morning,
I am an italian photographer and I have used for many years a Kinzle 6x9 (C69) enlarger and now I have bought a kienzle 4x5 (C120) enlarger.
They are fantastic enlarger.
The quality of light is wonderful.

Tom Kershaw · Jul 28, 2011

Giampiero,

Are you able to provide more detail on the enlarger, any photos?

Tom

Adrian Twiss · Jul 29, 2011

I emailed Keinzle asking for a quote for a 6x9 enlarger with VC head some time ago. I never got a reply.

mono · Jul 29, 2011

@ Tom:

http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/home_english/enlarger/enlarger.html

Hope this helps!

topoxforddoc · Jul 29, 2011

I believe that the legendary Leica Focomat IIc was in fact designed or built by Keinzle. Certainly they share plenty of genes and look like identical twins to me. The Kienzle 6x9 A69S is a modern development of the Focomat IIc. Kienzle still make and provide new spares for the Focomat IIc as well as supplying new Schneider Componon lenses adapted to fit the Leica turret mount.

Charlie
www.charlie-chan.co.uk

K-G · Jul 29, 2011

Adrian Twiss said:
I emailed Keinzle asking for a quote for a 6x9 enlarger with VC head some time ago. I never got a reply.

Send them a reminder. When I were in contact with them , about two years ago, I noticed that it took some time before they answered e-mails. Once contact was established, everything was handled very professionally. I wrote to them in German, but I think English will work just as well. Have patience !

Karl-Gustaf

RalphLambrecht · Apr 17, 2015

Tom Kershaw said:
I'm a De Vere enlarger user but I was intrigued to come across the Kienzle web site again recently, specifically noting the company appears to manufacture a 4x5" model. Is anyone here familiar with the Kienzle products?

Tom

I'm not familiar with that specific product but, I know the company as a top-notch high-quality manufacturer of photographic gear.They also promise to make any spare part you may not get anywhere else.I would go with them if you can afford their services.

Krockmitaine · Apr 19, 2015

I was lucky enough to buy a Kienzle Tempomat 912 4"x5" enlarger a few years back. They are built like a tank and command a price accordingly. They have a tranformer/rectifier for controling the current that must weight a good 30lbs by itself. Industrial strenght cabling throughtout. I'm in the process of building my darkroom. Next week I'll do the electricity with my friend, assess my needs then finish the walls. Just can't wait

crypt47 · Nov 13, 2018

My 5 cents. I believe this company has good product range but is very hard to deal directly. It's about a month I'm trying to get something from them. First two weeks I was dragged in email conversation with their secretary like this:

Me: Hello, I need consultation about product range, different product series and delivery. Here is my address.
They: Here is our booklets. What product have you chosen?
Me: First, I need you to answer my questions.
Me: Haven't received anything from you.
They: Everything is explained on our web-site.
Me: It's unclear to me. I have specific questions.
They: Please tell us your address.

That was enough so I called and mr. Kienzle ensured me that everything will be fine. Still no much info about the enlargers. No documentation (not allowed), no hi-res screenshots. Got a promise to get a quote for specific model. Then I emailed the same request just in case. After a half of the weak I've got the quote for a different model. Despite I clearly stated in a written form what I'm interested in. Just imaging after a month you are receiving email for a wrong model. Desired model mentioned even in the email's subject! Called again, was promised to get a correct quote next week, got nothing so far. Feeling like a fool.

larfe · Nov 14, 2018

With a company such as De Vere around, I cannot understand why you would want deal with Kienzle...

crypt47 · Nov 14, 2018

larfe, i'm not fixated on Kienzle. I just have limited experience with d.r. equipment and searching for something in a very fresh condition. Have a great respect for De Vere and cast parts of it's enlargers are probably better, but it's not exactly around. The last model I laid my eyes on was from 80th. Don't want to deal with old filters for example.

Kienzle enlargers and equipment (including 4x5")

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