LPL 7450 Mark 2 Opinions

[JayGannon]

I have the chance to get one of these quite cheap, very cheap in fact. I shoot 35mm and MF but no larger, worth my while or too much hassle?

It doesn't come with any lenses, what should I be looking at for doing 35 and 120 on something like this?

Also I work in quite a cramped darkroom space.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Mick Fagan]

If it's cheap, get it.

I run Schneider Componon S enlarging lenses. The 50 f/2.8 for 35mm and smaller. The 100 f/5.6 for any 120 work and the 150 f/5.6 for 4x5 work.

The 100 is a very good size in a darkroom as it will allow you to enlarge all the popular 120 formats. You can also use the 100 for very small enlargements of a full frame 35mm film negative. With a 4x5 enlarger your bellows draw will allow this to be possible with no other modifications necessary.

Think full frame business card enlargements, easy peasy with the 100 lens on a 4x5 enlarger.

The enlarger isn't a small thing, but it's not huge either. The 7452 is basically the latest, perhaps the last in their line of 4x5 enlargers.

One accessory never seemingly mentioned, is the wall mount. The 7450 had a wall mount as an option, with a small amount of fiddling you can adapt this wall mount for the later versions, or the LPL 7700 enlarger as well.

With a wall mount you eliminate the baseboard, but you would require either a table you can slip under, or a purpose made drop bench for huge enlargements, which is what I did when I had my 7450 and LPL7700.

I don't run LPL enlargers these days, a DeVere turned up one day, last enlarger I'll ever purchase.

Nice units those LPL enlargers.

Mick.

 

[Barrie B.]

LPL 4 X 5 Diffusion enlarger

Greetings , I too have one of these in my darkroom, although it is large it does not take up a lot of bench space.
I use a glass neg carrier and can hold any size negative from 4 x 5 " down to half-frame 35mm ( with a varity of enlarging lenses , of course.)
If it will fit into your darkroom GET IT , you will not regret it .
................................ Cheers Barrie B. Melbourne Australia .

 

[bdial]

If it's cheap, you'll have more regrets over not buying it, than if you do.
They are large, but small for 4x5 enlargers. My darkroom is about 6x10 feet, and it fits nicely.
As Mick says, with a wall mount you can eliminate the baseboard, you could also mount it directly to a counter-top if the baseboard is too large.

 

[JayGannon]

Ok guys got it on your recommendation, now I just have to get it 500 miles across Ireland and into the in construction darkroom area.
By the way the price was around 45 dollars US.

 

[Wade D]

For that price BUY IT! I Put a Beseler 45MX in the back of my Honda Civic when I found it for a good deal. The petrol you will use is worth it.

 

[Mick Fagan]

So about 35 Euro's, bargain!

Mick.

 

[JayGannon]

Yep 30 euro in fact. Collecting it this weekend coming. Should be fun.

 

[ozphoto]

I'm sooooo jealous! Congratulations - I'd love one of those myself.