My new (loud) Durst A300 35mm autofocus enlarger

[510Oakster]

As I collect the tools and equipment to put together my first darkroom since high school I've been on a bit of an enlarger buying spree. I've collected a little Durst M300 (because it came with a set of 4 unused vintage enamel developing trays), an Omega B22 (because it came with an assortment of film developing and paper printing gear, and the seller insisted I take it. I'm now in love with it, by the way), a beautiful Durst 606, because...vintage Durst, and now this A300. I obviously don't need 4 enlargers, and the day of reckoning will approach eventually, but I paid too much for this because I've read some comments here on Photrio and at other places by very credible photographers who expressed respect for the machine, and some have claimed it is better than the Leitz Focomat (high praise, and I hope to find out.)

Unfortunately in the meantime I've assembled it on the bench and while there is no apparent damage from shipping the head makes as tremendous screeching when raised.

Here's a link to a video of the cacophony in real time:


I'm hoping some kind folks will respond who have experience with the A300:

If so, has your A300 ever misbehaved like this?
Is it possible to peek into the innards to see the transport mechanism, hopefully to find a dry bearing or steel wheel that needs a bit of love?

Thanks very much, Brian

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Don't have a Durst, but nearly all enlargers have a coil spring running down the back to offset the weight of the head. I doubt the Durst is different. If that is the case then put the head all the way down and lightly grease the spring. That might be where your noise is coming from. Most enlargers have a cap on top of the column too if you want to take the head off. You need to be careful of the spring. Springs usually hook onto the top of the column. Enlargers also have rollers/bearings that ride on the column. Those could be where your noise is coming from as well. You'll probably need to take the head off to get at those though. Be careful when you are applying any lube to keep it away from the braking mechanism, whatever that is. Of course the braking mechanism might be causing that racket too.

I thought about buying one of those but I have two Focomats, so no point really. They look like excellent enlargers though. As soon as you get used to the autofocus you won't want to go back...

 

[AgX]

Welcome to Apug !

Thank you for presenting this model. I was not even aware of it.... (Yes, it shows up at the Durst manufacturing listing, but I never looked up each and every model, as I know it is incomplete anyway.)
The sound of it reminds me of erecting a projection screen on its integrated stand.
Interesting how you pronounce Durst.

 

[Dan0001]

510Oakster: I too love the B22. Perhaps you may have seen my write up recently:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/omega-b22-enlarger-observations-and-notes.181222/

Ironically I also did a write up of the Durst 606:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/my-take-on-the-durst-606-enlarger.175892/

 

[jvo]

welcome...

 

[510Oakster]

Welcome to Apug !

Thank you for presenting this model. I was not even aware of it.... (Yes, it shows up at the Durst manufacturing listing, but I never looked up each and every model, as I know it is incomplete anyway.)
The sound of it reminds me of erecting a projection screen on its integrated stand.
Interesting how you pronounce Durst.

Yes, my dads old projection screen opening up is just the type of horrible sharp metal against metal that the A300 head is emitting on the way up. But it’s so curious to me that it’s quiet on the way down...

How should I be pronouncing “Durst”, by the way? Of course I’m hopeless in German, and pretty lost in Italian, but I’ve only heard it pronounced as ‘dir-st’ in California.

 

[510Oakster]

510Oakster: I too love the B22. Perhaps you may have seen my write up recently:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/omega-b22-enlarger-observations-and-notes.181222/

Ironically I also did a write up of the Durst 606:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/my-take-on-the-durst-606-enlarger.175892/

510Oakster: I too love the B22. Perhaps you may have seen my write up recently:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/omega-b22-enlarger-observations-and-notes.181222/

Ironically I also did a write up of the Durst 606:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/my-take-on-the-durst-606-enlarger.175892/

Yes Dan, I have read and appreciated both of your excellent write-ups, thank you! The irony on my end is that after I stumbled upon my first Durst 606 in a junkshop for $20 I immediately was smitten, so found your review as I was trying to figure out how to locate all the missing pieces. Of course, like many (or most) Americans trying to get an old Durst operational, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth as I proceeded to spend many times more money on lens boards, negative carriers and lenses than I had on the low, introductory price!
A week or so later as I scrambled to put together my darkroom kit I bought a bin of film developing and printing gear, and the kind lady agreed to lower her asking price IF I ALSO TOOK THE B22 AWAY! I was immediately smitten with the classic good looks and sensible design of it, the first Omega I’ve ever seen up close, as my junior high and high school darkrooms used only Beselers. In researching THAT fortunate bargain I found your B22 review!
Brian

 

[AgX]

How should I be pronouncing “Durst”, by the way? Of course I’m hopeless in German, and pretty lost in Italian, but I’ve only heard it pronounced as ‘dir-st’ in California.

Well, I was thinking of an English word that I could give as an example, but so far in vain.
Best I can say is that the u sounds as a the vocal part of you.

Yes, Durst is a german word, the plant is located in the German speaking part of Italy.

 

[Randy Stewart]

, Sounds like you may have mis-installed or over tightened the plastic rollers which guide the head when it moves on the column. Although I own two A300 models, I'm not sure how the auto focus alignment is set up. I would not mess with it.When working properly, the head should glide up and down the column with little pressure and no significant noise.