Need advice on my next enlarger

JJB · Oct 20, 2010

Hi All,

I have a Chromega B that is a bit too small for a 6x7 negative. Overall I like the enlarger for its size, and it is easy to use. But I want the full size from my RB67, so...

Is there an enlarger similar in size to the Chromega B that can do 6x7? I use one of my bathrooms as a darkroom, but I don't leave it set up for more then a few days at a time.

I have a sweet deal for a D6 (4 lenses, most everything with it, even paper, for $150!) but it is way to big for my temp darkroom. And Space is an issue overall.

Thanks!

JJ

MattKing · Oct 20, 2010

Put the D6 on a low wheeled cart like I did. I roll mine in and out of the bathroom, as needed.

My cart is quite robust - I assembled it from components bought at Storables and it cost about 2/3 of what you are thinking of spending on the enlarger.

Storables will cut the posts to your requested height at no extra charge.

There is storage on the bottom shelf for lots of stuff as well.

JJB · Oct 20, 2010

Well, the D6 is awesome. But I don't think I have room for the cart. Any other options?

Thanks!

David Brown · Oct 20, 2010

JJB said:
Is there an enlarger similar in size to the Chromega B that can do 6x7?

A Chromega C. They also made the C760 dichroic. Very comparable in size.

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/

You might also consider a Beseler 23C. Not much larger, although heavier.

JJB · Oct 20, 2010

My local Enlarger Emporium (CraigsList) has the following, very close by...

Beseler 67S Enlarger - $125
Color diffusion enlarger for 35mm, 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x7. Currently set up for 35mm, just add lens, mixing box and holders for bigger sizes.
Color and B&W with 67S head (manual has filter settings for b&w papers) or use the Printmaker 35 head and under lens filters for 35mm B&W condenser printing.

How about this one? It looks less stable then my current enlarger. I think this is it. Link to Freestyle.

MattKing · Oct 21, 2010

If this is a Beseler 67 with a 67S colour head, it is an excellent enlarger.

There have been a few different versions. The current version that is most similar to the older versions is the 67XL - see the following page for an example:

http://www.beselerphoto.com/enlargers.html#printmaker

The Freestyle item you linked to is the more entry level Printmaker.

There are also Beseler 67 series enlargers built on to a double girder chassis that is similar to the Beseler 23C and Beseler 45M series enlargers. Those double girder models are also very good.

I bought a new Beseler 67C in about 1976 and it served me very well until I got my D6 1 1/2 years ago. I have kept it, in the hope that I can set up a more permanent darkroom, with room for both.

Here is a post on the "Darkroom Portraits" threads with pics of my 67C set up for bathroom use. You'll note the colour head - I bought it and began using it three or four years ago:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

If you haven't done so already, I'd suggest looking through that thread for inspiration.

Andrew K · Oct 21, 2010

LPL7700 had a long column, but is a great enlarger...

Fujimoto M70 is also a good choice....

To be honest if it comes form one of the major manufacturers - Bessler, Durst, Fuji, Omega, DeVere, LPL etc then you won't go wrong..

And yes - I agree of the idea of putting the D6 on a trolley. Or you can remove the enlarger form the baseboard and mount it on to a cupboard - that will take up less space..

Jeff Bannow · Oct 21, 2010

The D6 is a great enlarger - I highly recommend it. And if it comes with all the accessories, that's a good price too.

JJB · Oct 21, 2010

Hi Matt - can the 67 make a 16x20 enlargement?

How big is the d6 baseboard? I may have a way to fit it on a cart...

Jeff Bannow · Oct 21, 2010

The baseboards have come in different sizes. You can pretty easily mount it to a different baseboard or whatever surface if you want to also.

JJB · Oct 21, 2010

I found on the Google thatthe baseboard is 18" wide. I could cut it down to 16 and put it on a cart...

MattKing · Oct 21, 2010

JJB said:
Hi Matt - can the 67 make a 16x20 enlargement?

How big is the d6 baseboard? I may have a way to fit it on a cart...

With the longish column and a standard lens, 16x20 is straightforward on the Beseler 67C/S. If it has the standard baseboard, it is easy to spin the column.

The D6 has a very substantial baseboard - about 2 inches thick. I put a sheet of plywood in the shallow well on top of my cart, so that the baseboard fits over top of the protuberances on the cart.

JJB · Nov 13, 2010

I like to have closure on forum threads

The first D6 was a no-go. I found another through Craig's List, but it is a 3 hour drive each way. So today I gassed up the Jeep and went for a drive! I am now the proud daddy of a brand new (1974) D6!

It is in fantastic condition and came with a 35mm carrier and 50mm lens, as well as a 4x5 carrier and a 135mm lens! I already have a 75mm lens, so all I need is a 6x7 carrier (I would like to have a 80 or 90mm, but that can wait). It did come with an adjustable carrier but I would rather have one made for the format that will hold the film flatter. I also got a Bogen blade easel and a set of Kodak Polycontrast filters.

Shiny!

MattKing · Nov 13, 2010

The "adjustable" carrier is most likely the masking accessory that one uses with all the carriers.

Here is my eBay search for Omega D series carriers, in case it helps :

http://desc.shop.ebay.ca/Easels-Negative-Carriers-/162048/i.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&LH_PrefLoc=3&_trkparms=65%253A1%257C66%253A1%257C39%253A6&_nkw=Omega%20D&_dmd=2&_in_kw=1&_ipg=192&_oexkw=&_okw=Omega%20D&_sop=1&_udhi=&_udlo=&_vc=1&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH

GeorgesGiralt · Nov 14, 2010

Hello !
IMHO you'd better find a glass carrier for all your negs. It will improve your printing quality tremendously. As usual, an anti Newton glass above the film, a plain optic glass under the film.

JJB · Nov 14, 2010

MattKing said:
The "adjustable" carrier is most likely the masking accessory that one uses with all the carriers.

How do I use this masking accessory? And does anybody have a link to a manual? I found a D5 manual, but not a D6 manual.

Thanks!

MattKing · Nov 14, 2010

Is the masking accessory large and black with a circular depression in the top that the circle on (most) D series negative carriers fits into?

Like this:

http://glennview.com/jpgs/omega/d/mask/big_1.jpg

If so, there are two sliders on each of two slides, which are used to move four sliding blades to mask out stray light from outside the image area.

As for the manual, do you have a D6 based on the D2 (the "ProLab D6") or the D6 based on the D5 (the "Super D6 ProLab")?

The D2 based D6 has a support column that appears to be two separate girders, like this:

http://glennview.com/jpgs/omega/d5d6/microfocus/big_2.jpg

The D5 based D6 appears to have a one piece support column.

JJB · Nov 15, 2010

Hi Matt-

That is the masking accessory, and it is the early D6, based on the D2.

Thanks!

MattKing · Nov 15, 2010

JJB said:
Hi Matt-

That is the masking accessory, and it is the early D6, based on the D2.

Thanks!

Then we have the same enlarger .

I too searched for an up-loadable manual, without success.

I ended up buying a reprint from KHB Photographix. If I recall correctly, you can also buy one from Harry Taylor through his Classic Enlargers site.

I have both KHB and Classic Enlargers bookmarked and refer to them regularly.

MattKing · Nov 15, 2010

As for the masking accessory, you will see that there are 4 tabs - 2 along each of two sides. They slide, and the masking blades slide with them. You put your negative carrier on top of the attachment, and then slide both together into the area where the carrier goes. Lower the light source on top, and the entire unit is held steady.

I use the masking blades to:

1) eliminate light from areas of the negative outside my image area (if I am cropping a negative); and
2) mask outside the negative area, if I am using a glass carrier and a smaller negative (e.g. a 616 negative in the 4x5 carrier).

Hope this helps.

JJB · Nov 15, 2010

Thanks! I was thinking I would look for glass carriers for each negative size, but can now just go with the 4x5 and the mask.

Need advice on my next enlarger

JJB

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