LPL C670 enlarger ak 6700 /7700

[Melvin J Bramley]

I like my LPL C670 enlarger other than it pops negatives and I cannot find , at a reasonable cost, heat absorbing glass to rectify the issue.
Just how good is the LPL 670 variable contrast model?
Does the VC model have any advantage to the colour module/dichroic version?

 

[MattKing]

I'm confused.
The LPL 670 Condenser is known in the rest of the world (outside the USA) as the LPL 7700 Triple Condenser.
Whereas the LPL 6600 Condenser is known in the rest of the world (outside the USA) as the LPL 6600 Double Condenser (and is limited to 6x6).
If you are confused too, it is totally understandable - the US rebadging is a mess!
I think you are asking about the LPL 670 VCCE, which is known in the rest of the world (outside the USA) as the LPL 7700 VCCE Variable Contrast enlarger.
I use my LPL 670 VCCE/LPL 7700 VCCE Variable Contrast and like it a lot.
I have the colour dichro version as well, but it is in storage. They share power supplies and all accessories.

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Thanks, but is there an advantage to the VC vs the Dichroic?

TB

 

[ic-racer]

...pops negatives...

The best 'glass' for that problem is negative carrier glass

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

The best 'glass' for that problem is negative carrier glass

Finding a glass carrier for this enlarger is nigh on impossible regardless of cost!

 

[MattKing]

So - is it a 6700 or is it a 7700 - they are two different enlargers.
The USA only badged Saunders LPL 670 is an LPL 7700.
Assuming you mean the 7700:
The VCCE head gives you speed matched (to the extent that is possible) contrast adjustment with the turn of a single dial. That is straightforward and fast and convenient. It does not, of course, work with colour printing .
The colour head will give you the same results - just not quite as conveniently with variable contrast paper.
Both heads use the same power supply and the same bulbs. All the versions use the same lens boards and negative holders.
B & H say that the glass universal carrier is available on special order.
And Secondhand Darkroom in the UK say they have one, but want an additional 60 pounds to ship it to Canada.

 

[logan2z]

Finding a glass carrier for this enlarger is nigh on impossible regardless of cost!

I bought a new one recently from an LPL dealer in the UK. Not inexpensive but they can be found.

 

[ic-racer]

Glass carriers for the Omega D5500 are also very hard to come by, but over the years I found four of them. Just keep looking.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Check the bulb wattage. Mine is 75W and I never had a neg pop using Tri-X, FP-4 or T-Max 400. I enlarge 35, 645, 6x6. If your neg still pops after checking the bulb wattage and negative material you have 3 options; heat absorbing glass, a glass carrier, or dichro head. KHB in Canada is the LPL service provider. They may have the heat absorbing glass.

I prefer the condenser head because all my negs are developed for a lower CI. You don’t need to deal with a transformer which can be noisy and fail. I like the increased contrast in low tones for my negs. Yes, dust is soften using diffusion but I seldom have have to spot my prints as I‘m very careful handling the negs.

The enlarger is easy to use and robust. Top design and quality. I have used a Durst 600, LPL 670 color head, B-22, Leica V-35, B-23, Leitz 1c, and Valoy 2,

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Check the bulb wattage. Mine is 75W and I never had a neg pop using Tri-X, FP-4 or T-Max 400. I enlarge 35, 645, 6x6. If your neg still pops after checking the bulb wattage and negative material you have 3 options; heat absorbing glass, a glass carrier, or dichro head. KHB in Canada is the LPL service provider. They may have the heat absorbing glass.

I prefer the condenser head because all my negs are developed for a lower CI. You don’t need to deal with a transformer which can be noisy and fail. I like the increased contrast in low tones for my negs. Yes, dust is soften using diffusion but I seldom have have to spot my prints as I‘m very careful handling the negs.

The enlarger is easy to use and robust. Top design and quality. I have used a Durst 600, LPL 670 color head, B-22, Leica V-35, B-23, Leitz 1c, and Valoy 2,

I cannot find heat absorbing glass to fit my LPL 670/7700; I had a piece of 1/4" tempered glass cut to fit the filter holder and it made no difference the negatives still pop!
This is odd as heat absorbing glass is available for the Dichro model and the VCCE model.
As far as I can see the bulb is the original.
The LPL 670/7700 is not a bad enlarger but is not up to the standard of a somewhat similar Durst M605 which loses out on max negative size and, for me, the inability to enlarge to 16 x 20 which even the LPL has difficulty with!
As for dust and condenser enlarging!!
I have a purpose built room for my hobby that has oil based painted grey walls , and oil based paint wooden floor which is "carpeted!
I have little dust issues as the carpet holds the dust until it's weekly vacuuming.
Yes I realise this goes against common practice!
I am pursuing the purchase of a VCCE model failing that I will continue my search for an LED bulb with a compatible spectral sensitivity.
That is until the next 4 x 5 dream machine tempts my wallet!

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

Does the LPL 7700/670 VCCE come with heat absorbing glass?

 

[MattKing]

I don't see any - but it might be built into the light diffusing box - there is a round piece of glass over the window that the halogen lamp shines into.