Meopta Magnifax

[Top-Cat]

So I got my hands on some enlarger for 30 bucks (200 norwegian kroner), but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. It's what I think is the original magnifax 6.5 x 9 from somewhere between 1954-1967 and it came with original optics for both medium format (105mm lens) and 35mm (55mm lens).

Can photo equipment this old still be usable after 50 years? Anyone have the users manual for this thing?

Looks exactly like the magnifax (#11 on this site) seen here: http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=312

 

[Anon Ymous]

You can find Meopta user manuals here. Select "historical products" from the menu, then "enlargers" and finally product manuals.

 

[Anscojohn]

So I got my hands on some enlarger for 30 bucks (200 norwegian kroner), but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. It's what I think is the original magnifax 6.5 x 9 from somewhere between 1954-1967 and it came with original optics for both medium format (105mm lens) and 35mm (55mm lens).

Can photo equipment this old still be usable after 50 years? Anyone have the users manual for this thing?

Looks exactly like the magnifax (#11 on this site) seen here: http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=312

********
Man, how 'bout that Magnitarus!!?? And, yes, no reason yours should not be useable.

 

[perkeleellinen]

The Mignoret looks cool.

 

[Anon Ymous]

The Mignoret looks cool.

To be honest, if I didn't know that it's an enlarger, I'd think it's a sixties kitchen mixer.

 

[john_s]

So I got my hands on some enlarger for 30 bucks (200 norwegian kroner), but I haven't had a chance to test it yet. It's what I think is the original magnifax 6.5 x 9 from somewhere between 1954-1967 and it came with original optics for both medium format (105mm lens) and 35mm (55mm lens).

Can photo equipment this old still be usable after 50 years? Anyone have the users manual for this thing?

Looks exactly like the magnifax (#11 on this site) seen here: http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=312

We used to have one and it was a good enlarger. It had a focusing aid built into the negative carrier and it was spot-on. The age of an enlarger makes no difference to its usability. The design of enlargers basically has not changed over a Very Long Time!

[On looking at the meopta web site, ours was a Magnifax II, which has a smaller lamp house and the "slit focusing"]

If you like it you might be well advised to stock up on lamps, since they might become difficult to source in the future.

 

[Top-Cat]

What type of lamp do I use? The bulb looks just like a regular light bulb to me - on the site it says Opal 100 W, is that it? - sorry if I'm so green about this, but I've only used other peoples enlargers up untill now and haven't had to do any research on what type of extra equipment I need for this kind of device.

And by the way, sorry for posting this thread in the wrong forum, if you're an admin, I hope you'll be kind enough to move it to the forum for enlargements.

 

[MattKing]

Can photo equipment this old still be usable after 50 years?

It certainly can.

The photograph my wife and I included in our Christmas Card this year was taken with a camera that celebrated its 75th birthday this year - and as such is younger than many of the cameras used by many of us here.

We don't need to discuss the usability of photographers after 50 years, do we?

Have fun with your enlarger.

Matt

 

[Anscojohn]

Top Cat,
The opal bulb looks like any other; save for the fact that the "writing" on it is in such a position as not to become focussed on to your print. They are special enlarger bulbs, in other words.

 

[Nige]

I've got a Magnifax II in the garage that I should give away but have this daft idea to use the condensors in it (huge) for something!

 

[Tony Egan]

I have a Magnifax II which I use regularly but only for flashing paper before it goes under one of my more modern enlargers. If you are thinking of using it for any serious printing then check the alignment. When I first got mine the head and the neg holder were very "sloppy" and alignment was way off.

 

[Top-Cat]

I noticed a lot of recent energy saving light bulbs come in "opal" (ie what I understand as a diffused light bulb with a white surface) without text on the bulb to get in the way. They say they give light equivalent of up to 75 W It says the meopta uses 100 W, but I'm guessing that would only mean the exposure times would be slightly longer. Could something like this be usable?

http://www.clasohlson.no/Product/Product.aspx?id=143776557

 

[André E.C.]

Just sent one to the recycling center 3 days ago, it's a massive device and due to lack of space in my darkroom, both the Magnifax and the F60 got to go, nice machine tough, have fun, just change the optic, if yours has the original anaret 105mm, even if not a lousy optic, isn't a top performer IMHO, there is much better out there.

Barry Thornton used one 4a, with such an endorsement, Meoptas can´t be that bad .


Cheers

 

[Uncle Goose]

Meopta enlargers are great machines, nicely build and easy to use, no complicated controls or anything, just straightforward engineering. I still use a Opemus 4 and I love it since you can attach a colorhead to it. I have quit some spare parts so it can last to eternity.