LPL 670DXL enlarger question

[warrennn]

I just obtained a lovely, mint-condition LPL 670DXL via the local Craig's list for very little money. It seems to be a very well made and ergonomic enlarger and I am looking forward to using it. Unfortunately, it only came with a 35 mm slide carrier and I plan to use it exclusively for medium format (6x6). I have borrowed a Nikkor 75 mm lens from a friend.

Unfortunately, the negative carriers (new) cost more than half of what I paid for the enlarger. Used ones seem to be very rare on ebay and I haven't seen any used 6x6 carriers from the Canadian supplier. My question is: can the 35 mm carrier be easily modified for 6x6 or can another brand be used (such as Omega)? Sadly, when I retired, I lost my access to a nice machine shop, so serious machine work is impractical.

Next, do you recommend the carriers with glass covers? I am not sure that there is a 6x6 with glass, but I believe there is a universal carrier with such a cover. These might easily cost more than I paid for the enlarger, but they might be worth the money.

Thanks very much.

Warren Nagourney

 

[ozphoto]

Hi Warren,

Nice score! I have a 7700 LPL and it works a treat.
In the past, I've used neg carriers without glass for my 6x7 work, only now do they have glass as that was how they came when I bought the enlarger.
The glass does help the neg to stay flat, although I never had any problems with my 6x6 carrier that I used in my old LPL 66II, as that one didn't have glass.

You are correct - they aren't cheap, but I did find one on Ebay today (in Canada) for $60.00 - 6x6.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-6x6-Nega...400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item58857b0a88

And a universal one for $70 - you can do all your printing with this one up to 6x7.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Saunders...889?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c570017b9

They do come up every so often, but you sometimes have to be quick.

 

[warrennn]

Hi Nanette,

Thanks, I think I will go with the glassless carriers. I will probably buy the Canadian ones (they had 5 left when I last looked). So be it. I still can't complain about the cost in general (I got the enlarger for $125).

Cheers,

Warren

 

[stevebrot]

Just in case the Canadian supplier is out, Freestyle also stocks the glassless carriers for $65 USD.

Steve

 

[warrennn]

Thanks, Steve. Actually the Canadian supplier had a used glassless carrier for a good price and I just ordered it.

Cheers,

Warren N

 

[Steve Smith]

I have a 6700 which only came with the 35mm negative holder. I didn't like the price of new holders so I set the CNC routing machine at work to the task of making 6 x 4.5, 6 x 6 and 6 x 7 masks.


Steve

 

[chioque]

I was browsing ebay and came across quite a few negative carriers on auctions right now for the said enlarger. Go and look for auctions from this seller http://myworld.ebay.com/litwit/ such as this 6x6 carrier with $9.99 starting price.

 

[warrennn]

I guess timing is everything on ebay. I already ordered my carrier for $40, used. So be it.

wn