LPL model 7451 - am I shrinking?

[Doc W]

Recently I acquired an LPL model 7451. I find it very difficult to focus because of the location of the various focusing knobs: one on the left of the head, which is duplicated on the right side of the head, and a fine focusing knob in the middle of the afore-mentioned knob on the right.

When I am looking through the focusser, I can barely reach up to any of the focussing knobs. I can do it, but only barely and not without a lot of effort and discomfort. Just so we are talking apples and apples: I am using a 4x5 negative with a 135mm lensI am and enlarging to 8x10. The focusser is a Peak.

Ok, I admit that I am an old geezer with sore muscles and creaky bones, but really? Am I shrinking? Do I need to take physiotherapy to focus my enlarger? Oh wait, I already am taking physiotherapy.

Any wisdon on this?

 

[Jord186]

Doesn’t seem right to me.

I can give some comparison with my 7450 with a 135mm lens on a recessed lens board. Enlarging a 4x5 negative to about 8x10 (and in focus) I seem to be about 60% of the way up.

Lens is 41cm up from baseboard.
Enlarger reads at 48cm (tape measure reads 60cm from baseboard)

 

[cowanw]

Consider a

Magna Sight Enlarger Focus Scope​

and stand tall. I swear by this

 

[Ben 4]

Would a 150mm lens help some?
I have completely different equipment and never do large format, but sometimes have the same difficulty if I rack the head way up the column.

 

[jimjm]

I had a similar issue with my LPL C670 MXL. Above a certain height it was hard to reach the knob while looking thru the grain focuser. KHB Photographic sells a flexible focus extension for LPL enlargers that has resolved this problem for me.

 

[reddesert]

Flexible knob extenders are a moderately common item for amateur telescopes. Depending on the knob design and the size of the shaft, you might be able to replace the knob with an extender that clamps onto the shaft, or you might wish to graft an extension onto the existing knob. Here's an example - I don't have any experience with this company myself: https://agenaastro.com/agena-flexible-slow-motion-cable-with-rosette-handle-13-5.html

 

[ic-racer]

Would a 150mm lens help some?
I have completely different equipment and never do large format, but sometimes have the same difficulty if I rack the head way up the column.

Opposite effect; the head will be even higher with the 150mm!

Even with the 135mm lens, something does not seem right if you can't reach the knob for a 2x enlargement...you are shrinking!

 

[MattKing]

When I have this issue, I first focus using my eyes aided by a higher power set of reading glasses purchased from the Dollar store, and then use the magnifier to make any slight adjustment still required. It doesn't solve the issue, but it shortens the discomfort.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Get yourself the extension attachment. Probably isn't cheap but neither is a chiropractor....

 

[Philippe-Georges]

Perhaps this can help?

This was made by Linhof, but other brands have something similar, and with some luck it can be found on eBuy...

 

[bdial]

The Magna sight mentioned earlier is similar, and works well, no bending over to see a magnified view.

 

[emeraldcity_grain]

As already mentioned, get an focus extension attachment and call it a day.

 

[ic-racer]

Patterson Major (two different styles) and Micromega Long Reach:

 

[Doc W]

Consider a

Magna Sight Enlarger Focus Scope​

and stand tall. I swear by this

Hey Bill, this seems to out of production. I spoke with Kevin at KHB and he is back-ordered, maybe permanently.

 

[cowanw]

Yes but there are a few on US ebay

 

[Hilo]

I use the best Peak focuser and usually have no problems. It can get tricky when I do 50x60cm (20x24in.) and have to raise the enlarger head a little extra, for some reason. What helps me is to rest my elbow on the easel and support my head (my own!) with my left hand. While reaching up with my right hand. That way it remains okay. At least long enough to get perfect focus.

Possibly, I bring my elbow out a little further, so my eye comes down to the focuser. While I do this, I am standing. I have the tall Paterson, but prefer the Peak.

And yes, we shrink!