Modifying an enlarger to accommodate larger formats

Eric De Santiago · May 2, 2019

I have a Vivitar 356 dichroic enlarger. It does 35mm and 6x6cm negatives. I was wondering if I could modify it to take 6x7cm negatives. Any ideas?

trendland · May 2, 2019

Eric De Santiago said:
I have a Vivitar 356 dichroic enlarger. It does 35mm and 6x6cm negatives. I was wondering if I could modify it to take 6x7cm negatives. Any ideas?

Is there an alternate mask for 6x7 avaible (other brand)wich would look like it can be mounted?
Then you just have to try out!
If the circle for 6x6 is not usable for 6x7 (because of to be too small)
you may have the need of this fine tool :

That sounds a bit unusual (but why not)...."HSS quality recomanded"!
Perhaps it is not enough (think of the light) - then there must be a way to higher the distance to the light source a bit! You should care about the centric of light at the end of you DIY 6x7
enlarger transfer!
But I have strongrest hope a simple 6x7 mask could be enough!

with regards

Martin Rickards · May 2, 2019

Ollinger lists it as suitable for up to 6x9 http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/vivitar.html Where you'd look for the negative masks is another question.

JPD · May 2, 2019

If you have an enlarger lens for 6x7 you can make a 56x69 mm mask out of paper and try it in place of the negative carrier and see if it can be projected without being cropped or vingetting.

My Fujimoto G70 can squeeze out 4 mm extra, so it can take 56 x 73 mm negs, or 73 x 73 if cropped/cut from a large format negative.

Martin Rickards said:
Ollinger lists it as suitable for up to 6x9 http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/vivitar.html Where you'd look for the negative masks is another question.

But further down he writes: "There were times I wished I'd had the 6x6 negative holder, or that it could take 6x9's, but that's not a great loss", so "2-¼ x 3-¼"" was probably a typo or mistake.

Martin Rickards · May 2, 2019

I think you are corect. The PDF link to the user manual indicates the maximum negative sie as 6x6 cms.

L Gebhardt · May 2, 2019

The limiting factor is probably the mixing box. If it's square you are going to need a new one and if they weren't made it will be hard to make one that fits and is even. Probably easier to replace the head, if possible.

Truzi · May 2, 2019

I found a 6x7 negative carrier for that enlarger, but haven't used it yet, so I can't say how well it works. It may actually be for the Vivitar VI, but the two enlargers have virtually identical, if not the same, negative carriers.

The 6x7 is hard to come by, so if you have a spare 6x6 you might try filing it out - but don't ruin a good one on something that may not work.

jim10219 · May 2, 2019

I'd just keep an eye out for a bigger enlarger. Omega C760's tend to pop up here once or twice a month, often for free. There's a Beseler 23Cii Dichro currently in the Vegas CL for $60.

wiltw · May 2, 2019

negative size in an enlarger is the combination of these factors

size of field of even illumination from the condensor lens or diffusion source
size of the opening of the negative holder
image circle size of the lens used for the FL needed
distance achievable between the negative stage and the lens stage for the FL needed

any one factor can make an enlarger not suitable for use with a negative of particular size

Eric De Santiago · May 2, 2019

jim10219 said:
I'd just keep an eye out for a bigger enlarger. Omega C760's tend to pop up here once or twice a month, often for free. There's a Beseler 23Cii Dichro currently in the Vegas CL for $60.

Thanks for the tip! I hope he can deliver it, since I don’t have a car.

Modifying an enlarger to accommodate larger formats

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