Looking for a new enlarger for serious work, suggestions?

[tlitody]

there are other options too.

A durst M805 which will print upto 6x9. It's a professional level model with many different heads including condensor or diffusion. Also a vario head for stepless B+W contrast control. Will print to 20x24 I think but even better with a wall mount.
One step down from that is a durst Modular 70 which prints upto 6x7. Again a vario head was available for stepless contrast control on B+W. Will print to 20x24 on baseboard.

If you want new then take a look at Kaiser. They also have 6x7 and 6x9 versions. You never know you may a get fuji 6x9 one day. Also a good thing is that wall mounts are availble for these enlargers. the one listed below has stepless contrast control but also a filter drawer as well.
Will print to 20x24 on baseboard with large baseboard and head extender option ( http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=4455 and http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=4413).

Dead Link Removed

Heiland splitgrade head will work this unit but its an expensive option.

 

[Mark Fisher]

I forgot one very nice feature. I moved from 4x5 to 6x6, but I seriously missed the perspective correction for trees and architecture. The head on the LPL tilts fairly easily to make the perspective adjustments when needed.....I just need to remember to frame generously when I shoot those sorts of pictures!

 

[bill@lapetelabs.com]

I have the Beseler MXT and the 45VXL at the lab . The vxl is the most versitile, but it is quite large. Mine has a Aristo VCL 4500 head on it and a relatively large bellows which allows for a macro sized print from all the formats as well as a 20x24 print with cropping from a 35mm. It will take all the Beseler negative carriers and the 45 dicro S head head if you choose! It is easy square up and with the Flexi shaft adaptors you can focus on the base board with the enlarger run up to the max enlargement with out having to by double jointed. I'm a real fan of this enlarger. but I'm using it every day of the week to make prints of every size and from every format film! The basic chassy is about $1200.00 new.
Bill

 

[brian steinberger]

Thanks Bill, I've deemed the VXL too large for my current darkroom.

 

[brian steinberger]

I found the LPL 6700 VCCE on B&H at a decent price and it comes with a 5 year warranty.

I also found it new on ebay in Canada http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180246242738&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#shId
I wasn't sure if that would be a better option considering it's $350 cheaper, not sure how much for shipping though.

I'm scared to buy an enlarger used off of ebay or anywhere where it would have to be shipped. Not just worrying about it getting damaged during shipping, but also how it was used and treated by previous owners. I buy tons of used equipment in my photography but I feel since the enlarger is the most important piece of equipment in photography besides the camera, it ought to be bought new. Any thoughts on this? I'm still torn.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Be aware that the 6700 series of enlargers is "less good" than the taller and more sturdy 670 series.

If you could buy a 670 locally that had seen light use, that would be a good bet.

Jon

 

[MattKing]

With respect to the Canadian option, that is KHB, who are arguably the best North American resource around for enlargers, their accessories, and the information associated with them.

I'm sure they will be happy to give you a quote on shipping. I see that the listing information gives a range.

In case you haven't encountered it yet, here is their website:

http://www.khbphotografix.com/

 

[brian steinberger]

Be aware that the 6700 series of enlargers is "less good" than the taller and more sturdy 670 series.

If you could buy a 670 locally that had seen light use, that would be a good bet.

Jon

Jon, thank you so much for pointing that out! I see the ebay listing is the 6700, and the new one from B&H is the 670VCCE. What are the differences?

 

[MattKing]

Be aware that the 6700 series of enlargers is "less good" than the taller and more sturdy 670 series.

If you could buy a 670 locally that had seen light use, that would be a good bet.

Jon

If you look at the KHB site, you'll note that the LPL nomenclature in Canada has LPL 7700 = Omega/LPL 670 in the US.

 

[brian steinberger]

With respect to the Canadian option, that is KHB, who are arguably the best North American resource around for enlargers, their accessories, and the information associated with them.

I'm sure they will be happy to give you a quote on shipping. I see that the listing information gives a range.

In case you haven't encountered it yet, here is their website:

http://www.khbphotografix.com/

Thanks Matt! Still weighing options. I just realized there's a 6700 and a 670. Learning, learning, learning.

 

[MattKing]

KHB has an eBay listing for the LPL 7700 as well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LPL-7700-670-VCCE-Variable-Contrast-6x7-Enlarger-NOS-/180250007124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2

 

[brian steinberger]

KHB has an eBay listing for the LPL 7700 as well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/LPL-7700-670-VCCE-Variable-Contrast-6x7-Enlarger-NOS-/180250007124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2

Awesome! Thanks so much Matt! Now I just don't know if the extra 4 years of warranty is worth the extra money to order from B&H. I'm still not seeing the shipping costs from Canada though. I'll email them.

 

[brian steinberger]

Just out of curiosity, anyone know how the stability of the 670 (7700) compares the the Beseler 23CIII?

 

[fotch]

45MXT

 

[cmo]

I am currently looking for a new enlarger, too. So far, only 35mm is needed, up to 6x7cm could be nice but is not mandatory.

Years ago I owned a Focomat V35 with a Heiland Splitgrade module, an equivalent to the VC head... don't remind me, I still regret I sold it.

One cool feature of this enlarger was that it focused automatically. It's really easy to crop an image if you don't have to adjust focusing which affects the cropping again.

As far as I know there were not many enlargers that can do that trick. The ones that come to my mind are:

- Leitz Focomat I, II, V35
- Some Kienzle Primos
- Agfa Varioscop
- Durst A300
- Durst Laborator 900

Are there any other enlargers that focus automatically?

 

[bdial]

I dealt with that by watching ebay for enlargers that were local pick-up only, and ended up with a great deal on my LPL.
In that way, shipping is not an issue.
4x5 enlargers are meant to stand up to quite a lot of use. Though they can wear out, most I've seen have survived quite well.
Much depends on how much time you have for the right thing to turn up.

 

[youngrichard]

I am currently looking for a new enlarger, too. So far, only 35mm is needed, up to 6x7cm could be nice but is not mandatory.

Years ago I owned a Focomat V35 with a Heiland Splitgrade module, an equivalent to the VC head... don't remind me, I still regret I sold it.

One cool feature of this enlarger was that it focused automatically. It's really easy to crop an image if you don't have to adjust focusing which affects the cropping again.

As far as I know there were not many enlargers that can do that trick. The ones that come to my mind are:

- Leitz Focomat I, II, V35
- Some Kienzle Primos
- Agfa Varioscop
- Durst A300
- Durst Laborator 900

Are there any other enlargers that focus automatically?

The Durst DA900, presumably predecessor of Laborator 900, also has Autofocus. Autofocus is unkindly often called Outoffocus, except in the case of the Focomat V35 which is incredibly precise.
Richard

 

[ic-racer]

The autofocus Omega D3 and D4 are pretty popular. Probably the best way to go for 4x5 autofocus if you live in the USA.

 

[kipkeston]

Just out of curiosity, anyone know how the stability of the 670 (7700) compares the the Beseler 23CIII?

This is a good question. I'd love to know anyone's experience with the two.

 

[brian steinberger]

Just in case anyone is curious as to what I've decided to do.. I did get the LPL/Saunders 670 VCCE off of ebay (new old stock, brand new) for $400. That's 1/3 of the price to purchase it new. After using it a few nights I couldn't be more happy. Its a nice little enlarger, and the glass universal neg carrier is great!

 

[clayne]

DeVere 504. It doesn't get better.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

How about a D6? You get a fine focus adjustment and the turn-style enlarging lens holder. It also allows for long focal length enlarging lenses and has the extended column. It's based on the venerable D2 enlarger.