LPL 4500 print size

[Melvin J Bramley]

My LPL C670 will not enlarge a 6x6 negative to 16 x 20 on the baseboard.

Will an LPL 4500 XLG print 16 x 20 on the baseboard ?

 

[ic-racer]

You might want to check out the Schneider Componon-WA 60mm designed for 6x6cm format enlargements.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I have a Bogen 60mm F4 WA that projects beyond the enlarger column to produce 16 x 20.

I do not wish to have a wall mount installation.

If the LPL 4500 XLG fits my needs it will make three other enlargers redundant; well maybe as I would like to retain a condenser enlarger to compare it to!!

 

[ic-racer]

I have a Bogen 60mm F4 WA that projects beyond the enlarger column to produce 16 x 20.

I do not wish to have a wall mount installation.

If the LPL 4500 XLG fits my needs it will make three other enlargers redundant; well maybe as I would like to retain a condenser enlarger to compare it to!!

Oh. I guess that is the problem with the enlargers that have straight columns, rather than slanted.

This link shows 20x24" maximum for the 4500 XLG. I suspect that enlarger would be very nice.

 

[MattKing]

From the manual:

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

My set up of choice has an enlarger up against a wall, off the counter projection is not a choice.
Thanks
I wish 16 x 20 prints to be done without manipulation floor projection or otherwise.

MJB

 

[MattKing]

Understood. I can just make a 16x20 print on the baseboard of my LPL7700/Saunders LPL 670 DXL if I use a 2 bladed easel, but not a 4 bladed easel. That is, of course, with the short dimension of the print being front to back.

 

[gone]

I've made very large prints simply by using heavy wood blocks (2 x 12's that were cut to the appropriate size), setting the enlarger on them and leveling things out. It doesn't take very long, the prints were nice and sharp. If you wish you can screw them down to make it more of a permanent thing.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Understood. I can just make a 16x20 print on the baseboard of my LPL7700/Saunders LPL 670 DXL if I use a 2 bladed easel, but not a 4 bladed easel. That is, of course, with the short dimension of the print being front to back.

Using what format..

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

With a border less easel I project beyond the column!

 

[MattKing]

With a border less easel I project beyond the column!

What is the distance between the centre line of your lens/optical path and the column? Mine is 9.75 inches, which means that if it weren't for the easel, I could work with an image size of 19 inches on the short dimension (front to back), and as long as needed on the long dimension (side to side).

Using what format..

135, 6x7, or 6x9 using my modified carrier.
6x4.5 needs to be cut into a single negative, and I have to use my glass carrier with the negative turned 90 degrees.
For 6x6, I either need to print only a central portion of the negative, print 16x16, or rotate the column.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If you can swing the 4550 Melvin, you won't regret it. The 670 is a fine enlarger though. I used one for years. Doesn't really compare though.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Can't that enlarger project horizontally on the wall by turning the head 90°?

 

[MattKing]

Can't that enlarger project horizontally on the wall by turning the head 90°?

It can.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

It can.

Then, a larger print format is possible?

 

[MattKing]

Then, a larger print format is possible?

Possible, but Melvin desires a solution that permits 16x20 prints on the base-board, from square or 6x4.5 negatives (I believe).
I understand the desire - some darkrooms are difficult to re-configure for floor or wall projection, and floor or wall projection is certainly more challenging and less convenient.

 

[Don_ih]

Remove the column base from the baseboard and put a block of wood between the baseboard and the column base, however many inches thick to enable you to make your enlargement, assuming the projection won't encroach on the spacer block. The block has to be milled flat and dimensionally even.

 

[Frank53]

My LPL C670 will not enlarge a 6x6 negative to 16 x 20 on the baseboard.

Will an LPL 4500 XLG print 16 x 20 on the baseboard ?

Don’t know the 4500 XLG, but the LPL 7452 does 16x20 on the baseboard. The head has an extension, so it projects further from the column.

 

[MattKing]

Remove the column base from the baseboard and put a block of wood between the baseboard and the column base, however many inches thick to enable you to make your enlargement, assuming the projection won't encroach on the spacer block. The block has to be milled flat and dimensionally even.

In order to solve the problem, the support has to allow the light path to go under and perhaps behind where the base of the column is.
The problem occurs because the centre of the light path is too close to the vertical column - 9.75 inches away, when you probably need it to be at least 11.5 inches in order to be able to print a 20" x 20" print on the baseboard from a square negative.
You need to be able to print 20"x20" in order to be able to print a 16"x20" from all potential minimal crops of a square negative.
Here is a diagram, where the orange is the enlarger and the column, the yellow is the light path and the blue is the type of support you will need to achieve this. And when you look at the drawing, you will know why I photograph, rather than draw!

 

[Don_ih]

@MattKing -- the block to elevate the enlarger can be angled - make it a parallelogram, with the front angle proper to allow the 20x20 projection to clear the base - kinda like what your grandson's sketch above shows

 

[MattKing]

@MattKing -- the block to elevate the enlarger can be angled - make it a parallelogram, with the front angle proper to allow the 20x20 projection to clear the base - kinda like what your grandson's sketch above shows

I lack a grandson - or grand-daughter for that matter. And I'm better with paper and a pencil - particularly if I can cheat and add a ruler too!
I don't believe though that the OP is wanting to or able to modify his approach to what is essentially the same as a wall mount.

 

[Don_ih]

I don't believe though that the OP is wanting to or able to modify his approach to what is essentially the same as a wall mount.

A wall mount would be a great solution. You get a nice piece of right-angle 1/4" steel that you bolt to the wall and then bolt the enlarger base to that - whatever height off the counter you need. Toss the baseboard in a fire pit. Super excellent.

 

[MattKing]

Toss the baseboard in a fire pit.

The LPL baseboards are really robust and nice, and the holes in them for attaching the column mount are very precise - I wouldn't toss it at all!

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Checked out the dimensions for an LPL 4500II XL and XLG.

The optical centre is at 14" significantly further away from the column than the 670CXL at 9.5"

I really should seek out a LPL4500.

 

[Mick Fagan]

I had the original LPL 4x5 enlarger called LPL 7450, then the next upgraded slightly heavier duty version, LPL 7451 and further models as they changed them. The USA models are called 4500 and 4500 I and 4500 II as far as I understand it.

The wall mounting system is really good and with some slight modifications (drilling a hole or two) their wall mounting system will also wall mount the 6x7 models. I've used a single 4x5" LPL wall mount, to mount a 6x7 LPL as well as the first and second LPL 4x5 models.

The later 4x5" versions started out with a 50mm enlarger head extension; meaning the lens was 50mm closer to the operator and 50mm further away from the column. I seem to remember that the last version was even further away from the column.

Once you grow out of the excellent LPL enlargers, treat yourself to the best, a DeVere 504 free standing, precision exemplified.