Need advice on Durst M670

Hello folks, I need some advice. I already own a Durst M600. I have the chance to have a Durst M670 color. It comes with a 35mm carrier, my first concern is: Do 6x4.5 carrier easy to find for this enlarger? Will I face a big problem when it will come to print my 6x4.5 negs?

My second concern is about the overall quality. My M600 is a real tank, solid et work great, any one with experience on a M670 around here? If we do not talk moneywise, would it be a good enlarger to have... ahhhhh so many questions and so few ideas... thanks for your help.

Hi,

the 670 carrier is the same regardless of 35 or 6x7; however you need to replace the 35mm metal mask with a mask for your format, or just clear glass (which is easiest). However, you also need another light mixing box, which has a bigger diffuser that covers up to 6x7, and unless the unit comes with that I would pass, since these would be very difficult to find even on ebay.

An alternative is to keep looking for a good deal on a black-and-white enlarger with a VC head, much easier to work with than the color version. There is such a head for the 670, but with current prices why don't you look for an upscale model such as a Modular 70 or even a Laborator 1200 - you will not regret it, an L1200 with the VLS501 head is a joy to operate and will expand your possibilities from the 600 you have today.

/Henrik

oooh look! Durst are still selling all the parts you might want from their web site shop.

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Hello Patrick. As said, Durst is still selling small parts like negative masks and diffusers for these enlargers. ASK BEFORE BUYING with which diffuser your M670 comes with. You may want to stock the 6x7 conversion kit for future use, as long as it is still available.

I wonder how some previous poster could suggest a L1200 instead of it, as it is an incredibly bigger, taller, more espensive and heavier unit. Perhaps he never actually saw one.

Coming to topic, I also had an M600 in the past, and actually I'm not crying for it. Yes it was solid and worked good, but I HATED to have the bottom of the condenser as (fixed) upper negative glass. I think you will find the M670 head "lighter", built with thinnier metal, but still extremely sturdy and easier to use. Some details, however, are even better: like the rectangular-sized column, which is much harder and rigid and beats hands down the itty-bitty M600's tubular column.

In few words: I can hardly imagine you regretting the switch from the M600 to the M670.