In this time of Covid where I have more time on my hands, I thought it might be a could time to analyze and evaluate an older Durst enlarger that came into my possession about 3 years ago which I rescued at a rummage sale and the church begged me to take it for $3 or it was going to the dumpster. It was mostly complete except for a “Ixopla” lens board for the 75mm lens. Later I acquired a “Difma” 35mm glassless adapter for the negative carrier.
I confess I have not used it much as my main small enlarger is an Omega B22 which I am very fond of because of its simplicity of design and its functionality…I use it in a temporary darkroom in a bathroom in my 2nd home in Florida. So my evaluation of the 606 should be taken in that context.
When considering purchasing an older Durst enlarger, make sure all the necessary components are there as getting Durst parts is rather difficult particularly in the US. They are also rather pricy. The reflex design of the 606 is quite similar to other Durst enlargers but parts of various models are not interchangeable…something that can be very frustrating. The 606 was replaced in the early ‘60’s by the M600 but with different sized lens boards, etc. Hopefully this write up will be helpful to someone.
An instruction manual can be found on line.
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_606.pdf
My evaluation is followed up by an old 1959 Modern Photography article on the Durst 606.
Durst 606 Enlarger
Designed for exposing negatives 6 cm X 6cm or smaller.
1958-59 model…mine has 4 inch extension at baseboard to make column taller at 30 ¾ inches. Max height with head is 30 1/8 inches.
Made in Italy. Original price was $99.50 w/o lens.
My system components:
1. Enlarger with Baseboard with “Ixoneg” negative carrier
2. “Ixopla” and “Ixotub”(Two) lensboards
3. 75mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar and two 50mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar lenses.
4. “Difna” 35mm glassless insert
5. Aperture control lever for 50mm lens in “Ixotub”
Baseboard is 19 ½ in X 15 ¾ in.
Weight: 21 lbs.
Features:
1. Reflex housing…makes it compact and easy to take apart and clean.
2. Has 75 watt PH 211 bulb. Can use 150 watt bulb.
3. Internal Red safelight filter above the lens controlled by lower knob.
4. 7mm X 7mm filter drawer above bottom condenser. Somewhat stiff.
5. Comes with dual negative cups for long roll film…can be detached which I did.
6. Has two condensers with 2nd one attached to the negative carrier “Ixoneg”.
7. “Ixoneg” Negative carrier normally has glass for negative flatness. With “Difna” glassless insert for 35mm it makes it easier to center neg. For 2 ¼ leave glass in or purchase “Audix” glassless insert. Also has two knobs for masking and framing negative. Taking glass out is easier than putting it back in…somewhat tedious…two tiny screws with a small bar secures the glass and the “Difna”.
There is a device to hold individual negative…a plus. Being a normal glass carrier it is more subject to dust. The 2nd condenser will swing out when putting in the negative or if the carrier is already inserted in the head , there is a lift handle to allow insertion and negative orientation.
8. Centering 35mm negative is a little tedious especially when using all glass negative carrier.
9. Has round handle friction drive to raise head up and down…very slow but secure with no lock knob.
10. Focusing is using helical method…no bellows…a little slow but accurate.
11. “Ixopla” lens board can have 75mm lens mounted in reverse so as to make small enlargements.
12. Can tilt head 15 degrees for distortion control.
13. For extreme enlargements can swing around head to project on the floor.
14. Bulb can be moved around for Max brightness and evenness and secured with knob.
15. For 35mm enlarging using the 50mm lens with the "Ixotub" which is greatly recessed, I have lever attachment to adjust aperture by feel…it is nearly impossible to use this lens without this device.
16. Inserting lens board can be tricky…best to insert and move disk back and forth and sideways a bit before turning the set screw.
17. Overall with its quirks it is a VG enlarger…perhaps not as user friendly as an Omega B22.
18. The 4 inch extension appears to have been machined properly and it is probably not a Durst option…can be removed if desired but much shorter bolts will be needed.
19. Cosmetically and mechanically it is all VG. Also very complete with all the necessities. Baseboard is VG as well.
20. Takes down well and is quite compact. Can be set up in minutes. Can be easily stored away in a box.
Without 4 inch extension:
The largest 35mm image with 75mm lens is 7 X 9 ½ inches. With 50mm lens the largest image is 11 ½ X 18 inches.
The largest 6 X 6 cm image is 16 ½ X 16 ½ inches.
With four inch extension:
Normal lens is a Durst Schneider Kreuznach Componar 75 mm rated VG by Consumers Report(1970)…use with slightly recessed “ Ixopla “ lens board (81mm diameter). 25mm lens thread.
1. With 35mm film Max height makes 9 X 15 print with head 29 ¼ inches high.
2. With 2 ¼ film Max Height makes 18 ½ X 18 ½ print.
3. To make typical 8 X 10 for 2 ¼ film with head about 17 ¾ inches high with image cropped…half way up the column.
4. To make 8 X 8 square with 2 ¼ film it with head about 14 ¼ inches high…less than halfway up the column.
With 50mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar rated Good by Consumers Report(1970) , with greatly recessed “ Ixotub” lensboard (81mm diameter). 25mm lens thread.
1. With 35mm film Max Height makes 14 X 21 print with head 30 ¼ inches high.
2. To make a typical 8 X 10 the head is about half way up column at 18 ¾ inches high.
606
The following review appeared in the now-defunct Modern Photography magazine, December 1959, in the "Modern Tests" section. It was written by Myron A. Matzkin. I've edited it slightly for brevity.
Specifications: Durst Model 606 enlarger. Negative size: 8mm to 2¼ x 2¼. Focusing: Helical. Light Source: 150-watt Opal or projection lamp. Construction: Die-cast metal. Negative carrier: glass. Other features: Reflex focusing and viewing for copying; 35mm negative roll cups; lamp height adjustment; built-in red safelight filter; distortion correction. Price: $99.50 w/o lens.
The Durst 606 is a compact, streamlined Italian enlarger with several new approaches to combining an enlarger with a copying machine.
First, instead of the conventional negative carrier that handles only one negative size, the Durst combination glass negative carrier and condenser may be continually adjusted for any format from 8mm to 2¼ x 2¼. Two knurled knobs on the carrier control masks may be set for an almost unlimited number of shapes and sizes up to 2¼ square.
We quickly discovered an additional advantage to the carrier in making odd-shaped prints -- slim verticals and long, thin horizontals, for instance. Ordinarily, you may push the enlarger lamp housing to the top of the column, spilling unwanted picture area off the easel.
In color printing this can result in fogging. With the Durst, you mask the exact picture area so that there is no spill-off on the sides of the easel to cause reflections. Important too, masking lets you see the exact composition without extraneous, unused side images to confuse you.
As we mentioned, the carrier is combined with one of the two condensers by means of two pivot arms. Both condenser and carrier fit into a rather large negative carrier slot on the enlarger. After the carrier is placed in the enlarger a lever raises the condenser just enough to allow the negative to be slipped easily in place. Lowering the lever places the condenser mount on the edges of the negative, pressing it flat in the carrier.
Mirror reflex viewing, utilizing the same mirror and condenser used for enlarging, makes copying parallax free and assures accurate focusing.
Unlock a red locking bar, lift out the mirror-condenser housing, turn it around and drop it back in place and the condenser becomes a viewing screen for the reflex system. The mirror reflects the image from the lens to the condenser, giving an exact picture of the copy. A ground glass screen in a special accessory carrier replaces the regular negative carrier and shows the area covered by the lens. A plate holder slips under the ground glass when you're ready to shoot. Exposure is controlled by the duration of the copying lights.
The short column of the enlarger, only 28½ in. high, is a blessing for anyone working in a darkroom with a low ceiling. Even with its short height, you can make 16x16 prints from 2¼ negatives with the enlarger in normal position. Or you can tilt the lamp housing 90° and project on a wall for mural size prints. The tilting feature can of course also be used to correct perspective.
You've got to be careful not to touch the removable lamp housing during prolonged exposures. While the rest of the enlarger tends to be rather cool, the lamp house does heat up considerably -- enough to burn your fingers, we found.
The friction drive raising and lowering the enlarger operates with a knurled wheel and works rather slowly -- but smoothly. Illumination is even over the entire area of the baseboard. But if illumination should become uneven for any reason, adjusting the lamp height helps correct the situation.
I confess I have not used it much as my main small enlarger is an Omega B22 which I am very fond of because of its simplicity of design and its functionality…I use it in a temporary darkroom in a bathroom in my 2nd home in Florida. So my evaluation of the 606 should be taken in that context.
When considering purchasing an older Durst enlarger, make sure all the necessary components are there as getting Durst parts is rather difficult particularly in the US. They are also rather pricy. The reflex design of the 606 is quite similar to other Durst enlargers but parts of various models are not interchangeable…something that can be very frustrating. The 606 was replaced in the early ‘60’s by the M600 but with different sized lens boards, etc. Hopefully this write up will be helpful to someone.
An instruction manual can be found on line.
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/durst/Durst_606.pdf
My evaluation is followed up by an old 1959 Modern Photography article on the Durst 606.
Durst 606 Enlarger
Designed for exposing negatives 6 cm X 6cm or smaller.
1958-59 model…mine has 4 inch extension at baseboard to make column taller at 30 ¾ inches. Max height with head is 30 1/8 inches.
Made in Italy. Original price was $99.50 w/o lens.
My system components:
1. Enlarger with Baseboard with “Ixoneg” negative carrier
2. “Ixopla” and “Ixotub”(Two) lensboards
3. 75mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar and two 50mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar lenses.
4. “Difna” 35mm glassless insert
5. Aperture control lever for 50mm lens in “Ixotub”
Baseboard is 19 ½ in X 15 ¾ in.
Weight: 21 lbs.
Features:
1. Reflex housing…makes it compact and easy to take apart and clean.
2. Has 75 watt PH 211 bulb. Can use 150 watt bulb.
3. Internal Red safelight filter above the lens controlled by lower knob.
4. 7mm X 7mm filter drawer above bottom condenser. Somewhat stiff.
5. Comes with dual negative cups for long roll film…can be detached which I did.
6. Has two condensers with 2nd one attached to the negative carrier “Ixoneg”.
7. “Ixoneg” Negative carrier normally has glass for negative flatness. With “Difna” glassless insert for 35mm it makes it easier to center neg. For 2 ¼ leave glass in or purchase “Audix” glassless insert. Also has two knobs for masking and framing negative. Taking glass out is easier than putting it back in…somewhat tedious…two tiny screws with a small bar secures the glass and the “Difna”.
There is a device to hold individual negative…a plus. Being a normal glass carrier it is more subject to dust. The 2nd condenser will swing out when putting in the negative or if the carrier is already inserted in the head , there is a lift handle to allow insertion and negative orientation.
8. Centering 35mm negative is a little tedious especially when using all glass negative carrier.
9. Has round handle friction drive to raise head up and down…very slow but secure with no lock knob.
10. Focusing is using helical method…no bellows…a little slow but accurate.
11. “Ixopla” lens board can have 75mm lens mounted in reverse so as to make small enlargements.
12. Can tilt head 15 degrees for distortion control.
13. For extreme enlargements can swing around head to project on the floor.
14. Bulb can be moved around for Max brightness and evenness and secured with knob.
15. For 35mm enlarging using the 50mm lens with the "Ixotub" which is greatly recessed, I have lever attachment to adjust aperture by feel…it is nearly impossible to use this lens without this device.
16. Inserting lens board can be tricky…best to insert and move disk back and forth and sideways a bit before turning the set screw.
17. Overall with its quirks it is a VG enlarger…perhaps not as user friendly as an Omega B22.
18. The 4 inch extension appears to have been machined properly and it is probably not a Durst option…can be removed if desired but much shorter bolts will be needed.
19. Cosmetically and mechanically it is all VG. Also very complete with all the necessities. Baseboard is VG as well.
20. Takes down well and is quite compact. Can be set up in minutes. Can be easily stored away in a box.
Without 4 inch extension:
The largest 35mm image with 75mm lens is 7 X 9 ½ inches. With 50mm lens the largest image is 11 ½ X 18 inches.
The largest 6 X 6 cm image is 16 ½ X 16 ½ inches.
With four inch extension:
Normal lens is a Durst Schneider Kreuznach Componar 75 mm rated VG by Consumers Report(1970)…use with slightly recessed “ Ixopla “ lens board (81mm diameter). 25mm lens thread.
1. With 35mm film Max height makes 9 X 15 print with head 29 ¼ inches high.
2. With 2 ¼ film Max Height makes 18 ½ X 18 ½ print.
3. To make typical 8 X 10 for 2 ¼ film with head about 17 ¾ inches high with image cropped…half way up the column.
4. To make 8 X 8 square with 2 ¼ film it with head about 14 ¼ inches high…less than halfway up the column.
With 50mm Schneider Kreuznach Componar rated Good by Consumers Report(1970) , with greatly recessed “ Ixotub” lensboard (81mm diameter). 25mm lens thread.
1. With 35mm film Max Height makes 14 X 21 print with head 30 ¼ inches high.
2. To make a typical 8 X 10 the head is about half way up column at 18 ¾ inches high.
606
The following review appeared in the now-defunct Modern Photography magazine, December 1959, in the "Modern Tests" section. It was written by Myron A. Matzkin. I've edited it slightly for brevity.
Specifications: Durst Model 606 enlarger. Negative size: 8mm to 2¼ x 2¼. Focusing: Helical. Light Source: 150-watt Opal or projection lamp. Construction: Die-cast metal. Negative carrier: glass. Other features: Reflex focusing and viewing for copying; 35mm negative roll cups; lamp height adjustment; built-in red safelight filter; distortion correction. Price: $99.50 w/o lens.
The Durst 606 is a compact, streamlined Italian enlarger with several new approaches to combining an enlarger with a copying machine.
First, instead of the conventional negative carrier that handles only one negative size, the Durst combination glass negative carrier and condenser may be continually adjusted for any format from 8mm to 2¼ x 2¼. Two knurled knobs on the carrier control masks may be set for an almost unlimited number of shapes and sizes up to 2¼ square.
We quickly discovered an additional advantage to the carrier in making odd-shaped prints -- slim verticals and long, thin horizontals, for instance. Ordinarily, you may push the enlarger lamp housing to the top of the column, spilling unwanted picture area off the easel.
In color printing this can result in fogging. With the Durst, you mask the exact picture area so that there is no spill-off on the sides of the easel to cause reflections. Important too, masking lets you see the exact composition without extraneous, unused side images to confuse you.
As we mentioned, the carrier is combined with one of the two condensers by means of two pivot arms. Both condenser and carrier fit into a rather large negative carrier slot on the enlarger. After the carrier is placed in the enlarger a lever raises the condenser just enough to allow the negative to be slipped easily in place. Lowering the lever places the condenser mount on the edges of the negative, pressing it flat in the carrier.
Mirror reflex viewing, utilizing the same mirror and condenser used for enlarging, makes copying parallax free and assures accurate focusing.
Unlock a red locking bar, lift out the mirror-condenser housing, turn it around and drop it back in place and the condenser becomes a viewing screen for the reflex system. The mirror reflects the image from the lens to the condenser, giving an exact picture of the copy. A ground glass screen in a special accessory carrier replaces the regular negative carrier and shows the area covered by the lens. A plate holder slips under the ground glass when you're ready to shoot. Exposure is controlled by the duration of the copying lights.
The short column of the enlarger, only 28½ in. high, is a blessing for anyone working in a darkroom with a low ceiling. Even with its short height, you can make 16x16 prints from 2¼ negatives with the enlarger in normal position. Or you can tilt the lamp housing 90° and project on a wall for mural size prints. The tilting feature can of course also be used to correct perspective.
You've got to be careful not to touch the removable lamp housing during prolonged exposures. While the rest of the enlarger tends to be rather cool, the lamp house does heat up considerably -- enough to burn your fingers, we found.
The friction drive raising and lowering the enlarger operates with a knurled wheel and works rather slowly -- but smoothly. Illumination is even over the entire area of the baseboard. But if illumination should become uneven for any reason, adjusting the lamp height helps correct the situation.
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