LPL 4500 print size

[Melvin J Bramley]

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.

There was, for some time, a De Vere 504 for sale locally.
The ad expired and I am sure that the enlarger is still sitting in a garage somewhere.
I only 'played' with a De Vere for a couple of minutes about 20 years ago and was duly impressed.
There are enlargers that come to market that sellers are asking insane prices for such as a LPL 4500 with colour head , the seller quoting KBH prices!
The latest ,local, example of wonderful equipment falling into the wrong hands as in ad for a Durst 138 with Ilford 500 MG head.
The seller first wished to sell it as ...Steampunk jewellery and fabrications!! I kid you not.
He has since realised it has more value and is asking E Bay waiting for a sucker pricing !
Hence another piece of wonderful photo equipment will rot in a garage somewhere or until he or she hits it with a jacked up truck whilst parking.

Hmm, I may just dig through my old emails to find the De Vere again.

 

[MattKing]

I like the LPL 7700/Saunders LPL 670 for a reason that is almost polar opposite to Melvin's preferences - it has an amazingly small footprint for an enlarger with its quality and capabilities. When we downsized, I needed something that could easily put on a rolling cart and stored in a very small space. So naturally, I bought two of them - for very little money! The second one has a colour head and is disassembled for offsite storage, in the hope that a further move to a larger space will happen.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I like the LPL 7700/Saunders LPL 670 for a reason that is almost polar opposite to Melvin's preferences - it has an amazingly small footprint for an enlarger with its quality and capabilities. When we downsized, I needed something that could easily put on a rolling cart and stored in a very small space. So naturally, I bought two of them - for very little money! The second one has a colour head and is disassembled for offsite storage, in the hope that a further move to a larger space will happen.

I appreciate your input.
At a certain age! downsizing becomes an issue we put at the back of our minds actually, denial.
Still, the opportunity of using high end darkroom equipment even for a few short years is tempting indeed.
As I just purchased a fine focus knob for my C670 I doubt it will be sold; temporarily retired perhaps if I purchase the 4 x 5 LPL.

 

[MattKing]

FWIW, if an additional half inch makes a difference, I just tried an experiment. The shaft on the Bellows Assembly can be pulled out that distance from the Carriage, and then re-tightened. You lose the benefit of the guiding pins if you do this, so you would have to check that it is level.
I remove the negative carrier and the light source before doing this.
The connection between the two sub-assemblies is obviously stronger when the shaft from the Bellows Assembly is fully inserted into the receptacle for it on the Carriage, so I would probably only do this when I was concentrating on large prints, and then return it to normal for the rest of my printing.
If you plan on doing this regularly, it might make sense to have a collar constructed - perhaps from plywood - to bring the guide pins back into play.
Page 5 of the Manual:

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

I will give it a try, thanks.