Need help changing enlarger bulb on Durst r305

[georgie]

Hello,
I'm pretty much at a loss here. I recently picked up this enlarger and hope it works, with a new bulb. But I cannot figure out how to switch one out! I unscrewed everything that could possibly make sense, yet I still do not know what Im doing wrong. I know this is a rare one, hope someone here has the answer for me!! Thanks in advance

 

[pentaxuser]

georgie, this looks to be a rare beast and I cannot find an instruction booklet for free such as those on Ollinger's site which only cover the more commons Dursts There appeared to be a booklet for sale on Amazon's books but when clicked on it says as is often the case with rare items on Amazon that it is no longer available and it doesn't know when it will appear again as if it was just a stock item that is awaiting further replacement

I think it was you who has asked the question on a Youtube video about the R305 so full marks for enterprise but to date there is no answer and I don't hold out much hope there

If no one here has such an enlarger and you don't get your YouTube question answered then your other option
is to keep checking the likes of e-bay and if you see one for sale ask the seller if a copy of the booklet is available which he/she can scan it and e-mail it to you. Don't confine your checks to the U.S. e-bay as sending a scan of a pdf is as easy from the U.K.

I wish you success

pentaxuser

 

[georgie]

Oh I have the pamphlet! It's kinda basic! It just says to adjust the bulb by "shifting the lamphouse"
Thanks for your insight, hopefully I can get in contact with someone whos used this one. It is a really cute lightweight little enlarger, and would like to bring it back to life!

 

[MattKing]

I read that as requiring "an ordinary 60 - 75 watt opal bulb"
That says to me that it is what was then an ordinary household screw in tungsten bulb.

 

[shutterfinger]

Its also called a Mazda base.
Post some pictures of the head especially where the power cord goes into the head as it may be a simple pull out socket or the top just lifts off the condenser.

https://www.camera-manual.com/durst-r-305-manual-3286

 

[pentaxuser]

If it is possible, georgie, it might help those who seem to have more knowledge of the R305 to get pictures of how far you have managed to get in the dismantling of the enlarger. It seems that you have got to the bulb but cannot unscrew it from its holder which I think is a normal Edison screw type but I may have misunderstood what the problem is

Is it simply impossible to unscrew or more complicated than that? If it is simply "welded in" due to age and possible rust caused by condensation over the years I'd be tempted to make sure it was unplugged from the mains socket, I'd then use some WD40 and let it soak in and try again. Assuming the bulb is blown then if worse come to the worst I'd smash the bulb, remove the glass shards and then place pliers on either side if the metal base of the bulb and try turning the Edison screw with both pliers but wait to see what others say about this

pentaxuser

 

[bdial]

I had a later model 3xx Dust, the lamp had a simple cover that just pulled off from the top, as I recall it was imprinted with the bulb specifications.
Perhaps you could post a few pictures of your unit?

 

[georgie]

Here are pictures with the lens/neg carrier removed. There is a hole I can slightly loosen of tighten the current bulb but there is not enough space for it to be removed from that hole or another one to be installed. I also took out the screws from the front title plate, but found it only was for that plate. I also unscrewed the screw at the bottom back of the enlarger head (out in the photo) which seemed to slightly loosen the body of the head but not enough to do anything. Also, the cylinder you can see from the top is welded into the front so it does not turn...

It's such a simple model, I feel like I must be missing something pretty obvious ??? Thanks for all your responses so far, I appreciate your effort in helping me out!

 

[Dirb9]

Try unscrewing the two screws holding the nameplate on the front in. On the Durst Duomat and on the 609, that's how the bulb is accessed.

 

[MattiS]

Having the welded construction of the enlarger head in mind and looking at the picture of the socket and the size of the hole in the back of the head I guess that the socket with the bulb can be extracted/pulled/screwed backwards out of the head. Maybe the socket is secured by a screw that you have to loose before, maybe it's fixed in the head by spring force, a bayonet or a kind of thread.

 

[shutterfinger]

Unplug the power cord. Turn the socket assembly counterclockwise. You may have to press in on it then turn while holding in.
It may be stuck.

 

[georgie]

WHEW! So I figured it out! I went back and tugged kinda hard and turned the back piece that has the powercord (unplugged of course) and twisted it out of the welded cylinder piece, and whalllla here she is. Just ordered the new bulb, crossing my fingers she works! Thanks for everyones help, this community is great. Excited for my little at home darkroom setup <3 Ill post an update if it works!

 

[pentaxuser]

Well done. It sounds like you have come across the diabolical "time-weld" that only involves air and lots of time to stick two pieces of equipment firmly together and that the instruction books always seem to suggest should be a simple twist that a five year old could do.

pentaxuser