Most "reasonably" sized 4x5" enlarger

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

So as much fun as it is to contact print, I feel like there's not a whole lot I can do without an enlarger for my 4x5" endeavors.

There's an Simmons (Omega) D2 enlarger on my local CL and it's tempting, but I wanted to get some input from y'all before I go any further.

If I get a 4x5" enlarger, it needs to be my one and only enlarger, so it needs to be convenient for 35mm as well. Also, smaller is better, lightweight is golden.

What would you recommend?

Ektagraphic · Jul 12, 2010

I also have an Omega D2 that I only use for 4x5 and it is great to work with for 4x5. It's a nice enlarger.

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

How does it compare size wise to others? Ever use it for 35mm?

Sirius Glass · Jul 12, 2010

A 4x5 enlarger will handle MF and 35mm with the right lenses and negative carriers.
Size Enlarger lens
4x5 135mm to 150mm
120 80mm to 90mm, 105 also
35mm 50mm

The larger [and heavier] an enlarger is, is generally related to its ability to damp out vibration.

Consider the height of the table the enlarger will be on and the maximum enlarger height. You want what you buy to fit in the darkroom vertically.

Steve

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

I know about the ideal lenses for diff. formats, but I guess I'm worried about having some gargantuan light head that requires a motor just to lift it up and down. I'd prefer something more manageable, especially for the 35mm end of things.

photobum · Jul 12, 2010

Smaller is not better and lightweight is not golden. As 4x5 enlargers go the D-2 is pretty compact. I had a D-2 That I bolted the base to the table and used turnbuckels in the ceiling. Very steady, a joy to work with. I enlarged 35mm to 4x5 on it. They can be mounted to the wall allowing for max enlargements. When I went to 5x7 I sold it for a Durst, now thats big and heavy.

Go for the D-2. BTW they should be real cheap. There's millions out there, just about all schools used them and most have closed their darkrooms.

Jon Shiu · Jul 12, 2010

The Omega D2V model is not too big or heavy and the condensers can be adjusted for various film formats.

Jon

Rick A · Jul 12, 2010

I have an Omega Pro Lab 4x5 with a turret lens mount. I have a second turret and I cover everything from 35mm, 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 and 4x5. I keep a couple extra lenses for 4x5, a 135 and 150, and 80 and 90mm , plus a 50 and 105. It takes up 20"x 30" space on its own stand, enlarges up to 16x20 prints. Its convenient to use and easy to swap lenses and adjust the condensors. I have 5 other enlargers, four are set up for specific formats, and one for color(35mm & 6x6). I recommend you get the Omega D2

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

Indeed, the D2 seems like a good bet. If this CL unit doesn't have all the bits, like negative holders, condensers, light bulb, etc., is this stuff easy to find at affordable prices?

jp498 · Jul 12, 2010

I've got a Beseler cb7 (fairly heavy 4x5 enlarger) and a Chromega B (upto 6x6cm enlarger).

If you're going to be picking it locally, light weight should not be a concern. You'll probably need to put it in a van or truck and need more than 1 person for any 4x5 enlarger move.

I like the smaller Omega enlarger better for 35mm, 6x6 and contact printing. It's simpler, not motorized. I use a componon-s 80mm lens for both 35mm and 6x6. Just a faint buzz from the transformer power supply when it's running. The Beseler makes nice images, but you have a whole row of toggle switches and buttons on the front to run it, focus it, raise and lower it, etc... It also has a relatively noisy blower fan that goes with it to cool it. I could pony up $200 for a panasonic bathroom fan for it to make it quieter, but I've been too cheap. The comparison is sort of like comparing a small manual SLR to a LF field camera; which is going to be quicker and easier to use?

I made room for both. One's table becomes the junk covered useful horizontal surface (negative 3ring binder, photo paper, towel, extra easel) while I make prints with the other.

ic-racer · Jul 12, 2010

In terms of "4x5" enlargers, a D2 with the non-XL column will be about as small as they come. Biggest would be a floorstanding Durst 45-S (which is really a 5x7 enlarger), or an Omega D5XL mounted on the fancy floorstanding table.

removed account4 · Jul 12, 2010

reasonably sized 4x5 enlarger ..
they are all pretty big ( compared to a 35mm enlarger),
unless you just do the contact print with a light bulb

the omegas are great, built to last ..

eddie · Jul 12, 2010

I had a D2V, which was very easy to switch between formats. I'm not sure, but I think you'll need different lens cones for a D2. I never used one but that's how my E series enlarger works.
Maybe someone with a D2 ( non- variable) can chime in.

John Kasaian · Jul 12, 2010

Omga D2 (or D-II) or any of it's newer spawn, or Beseler 45, especially if you are in the USA. I wouldn't mess with the others (Federal, Solar, etc...) unless I got it for free.
Or get an 8x10 camera!
My 2-cents.

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

I got a PM describing the lens cone business. However, could someone tell me about the availability of all these "fiddly-bits", because it's no bother if I can easily find them, but if I'm going to spend twice the original price of the enlarger to outfit it properly then I should look for a complete setup.

Sirius Glass · Jul 12, 2010

jp498 said:
If you're going to be picking it locally, light weight should not be a concern. You'll probably need to put it in a van or truck and need more than 1 person for any 4x5 enlarger move.

I picked up a Chromega Chromatic II 5D-XL which is large [XL designates a taller column] and handles 4x5s down to 35mm. I removed the enlarger head from the column and was able to fit the enlarger head and the base & column assembly easily in a Ford Explorer. I did need an extra set of hands to move the base & column to a cart. I was able to move the enlarger head to a cart myself.

Steve

John Koehrer · Jul 12, 2010

Lens cones are probably the hardest to sort out & some of the carriers can be pricey. Most are not. The cones will also require a mounting plate for the lens, most today are 39mm until you get to about a 150mm then some become larger.
In theory you need condensers for 35/66/45. In practice the 45 will work fine.
There is someone on line that specializes in Omega enlarger parts & for the life of me I can't remember who.
Size wise the Omegas are very compact & don't use motors to lift the head. The head is counter balanced with a spring.
The column uses three clamps to hold it to the base board & though cumbersome is not heavy. For safety remove the condensers while you're moving it around.
It's not heavy, just awkward to move.

eddie · Jul 12, 2010

I think the lens cones will be the most difficult items to find. Maybe it comes with some.
If not, a good source: http://www.glennview.com/

ic-racer · Jul 12, 2010

holmburgers said:
I got a PM describing the lens cone business. However, could someone tell me about the availability of all these "fiddly-bits", because it's no bother if I can easily find them, but if I'm going to spend twice the original price of the enlarger to outfit it properly then I should look for a complete setup.

If you are in the US, the Omega 'fiddly bits' will be relatively easy to find. Though, sometimes it means getting a second Omega "D" enlarger for $5 just to get your 'fiddly bit' (Ever wonder why people have more than one enlarger....)

paul_c5x4 · Jul 12, 2010

ic-racer said:
(Ever wonder why people have more than one enlarger....)

May be that is why I now have a breeding pair of Durst Laborators...

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

Wow, can I get first dibs on a purebred Durst? I'll let you take care of vaccinations though....

BradS · Jul 12, 2010

Agree with all here who have recommend the Omega D2 or D-II. They are quite common here in the USA and parts are relatively easy to find. Mine is an older model (early 1950's?) and some of the little bits have simply broken or worn out. I have not had any trouble finding replacements.

I have to say that the regular D2 is not such a good choice for 35mm. I have a cute little Durst F-30 for 35mm because, hauling the D2 in from the garage is just more effort than it is worth to print tiny format. I also have trouble getting reasonably small prints from 35mm negs on the big enlarger.

holmburgers · Jul 12, 2010

Well, maybe I'll have to keep my Beseler Printmaker 35 just in case. But I'm running out of dry-side!

stevebrot · Jul 12, 2010

LPL 74xx series (aka Omega/LPL 4500)...about 70 lbs, baseboard is 24" square, height 53".

Steve

removed account4 · Jul 12, 2010

holmburgers said:
Well, maybe I'll have to keep my Beseler Printmaker 35 just in case. But I'm running out of dry-side!

i would ..

even though you can find the cones ( and rails if you need them )
through harry taylor ( classic-enlargers.com ) or elsewhere you might look
for what was called an auxiliary focusing bellows which is
a lensboard on a bellows originally designed for doing small / jewel prints.
i use one on a d3v and it has saved me a lot of headaches.
i also have one on a e4 for the same reason.
while the d2 or dII is designed to be versatile for all formats 4x5 and lower
sometimes it is easier to just have one enlarger for dedicated for whatever formats you use the most.
it might end up that your baseboard gets a bit cluttered when you aren't using the bessler, but thats ok ... you can just move the mess around
to the other enlarger when you need to

have fun!
john

Most "reasonably" sized 4x5" enlarger

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