New enlarger advice

[SteD]

Hi all.
I need some advice on choosing a new colour enlarger.
I’m currently using a durst m670 for 35mm but have come up against its limitations regarding print size. I’m wanting to start printing 645 and am going to be even more limited due to the vertical orientation of 645 in the carrier. I need something that can print up to 16x20 comfortably ( in 645) as this is the maximum size I can process. My darkroom can’t accommodate anything that needs a special table/base, it’ll need to go on existing worktops.
Any advice?

 

[Tom Taylor]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/105697-REG/Beseler_8011_03_23CIII_XL_Dichro_Enlarger.html

The older CII-XL will also work.

Thomas

 

[Martin Rickards]

If he lives in London, the Beseler is going to be hard to find. In Europe, the main consumer brands were Durst, Kaiser, LPL, Meopta. He might be able to find a De Vere 203 for a top of the line model.

 

[dynachrome]

An Omega B22XL should work. You might also consider using a wide angle enlarging lens. Two lenses I have which would work with that format are the 60mm f/4 Bogen Wide Angle and the 60mm f/5.6 W.A. Componon. An enlarger like a Omega D2/D2V/XL would also work. The front of the baseboard might stick out from your table so it might be necessary to use clamps to secure it to the table.

 

[bdial]

Can you separate the column from the base board and mount it on the wall? Another possibility might be to construct a riser for the column.
If you have the space, a 4x5 enlarger could be the answer. The main advantage would be that they are more robust which will help when you are making big prints. On the LPL 4x5 the negative carrier can be rotated, so you don't have to work with your 645 negs in a portrait orientation.

 

[John51]

Most enlargers have 16x20 as the max size on the baseboard. As what you want is the 16 in 16x20 to become the 20, that enlarger would also do 20x24 from a 6x7/6x9 neg. Not sure which models do 20x24.

The column on your Durst can be reversed. Heavy weights on the baseboard and project onto the floor or a low table. Or you could wall mount it.

 

[spijker]

You may want to check if the Durst has the option of inserting the negative carrier from the side as well. That way you can project a 645 negative in "landscape orientation" on the baseboard for the occasional big print. The LPL C7700 that I have has that feature. The downside is that you can only use that for negatives at the end of a strip. But it may save you from buying another (bigger) enlarger if you only print 16x20 occasionally.

 

[SteD]

Thanks everyone.
Have done lots of looking around and I think a de Vere 203 will fit the bill. Seems the most available here in England. I could print 645 up to 16x20 and larger than I need to in horizontal.
I did think about wall mounting the durst but thought it might be pushing it beyond what it’s designed for.

 

[MattKing]

I did think about wall mounting the durst but thought it might be pushing it beyond what it’s designed for.

Not in the least.
All enlargers benefit from wall mounting. A baseboard is an accommodation for the need for portability.

 

[gijsbert]

Have you tried a 60mm W(ide) enlarger lens? I haven't tried it yet for 16x20 but I think it would work on my Durst M805, don't know if the m670 has a much shorter column. If my calculations are correct it would take 9x magnification so about 67cm head height.

 

[ic-racer]

The instructions for the Durst M670 indicate an 11 power enlargement is possible with an 80mm lens. If you negatives are 56.25mm X 41.5mm, then an 11 power enlargement would be 618.75mm x 456.5mm or 24" x 18"

Is the problem that the image projects too close to the base of the column?

 

[SteD]

The instructions for the Durst M670 indicate an 11 power enlargement is possible with an 80mm lens. If you negatives are 56.25mm X 41.5mm, then an 11 power enlargement would be 618.75mm x 456.5mm or 24" x 18"

Is the problem that the image projects too close to the base of the column?

Yes that’s the problem, I can’t move the easel far back enough due to the column being in the way.

 

[Martin Rickards]

Thanks everyone.
Have done lots of looking around and I think a de Vere 203 will fit the bill. Seems the most available here in England. I could print 645 up to 16x20 and larger than I need to in horizontal.
I did think about wall mounting the durst but thought it might be pushing it beyond what it’s designed for.

Good luck in your quest and, if you do find a good one, it'll last a lifetime and possibly that of your great grandchildren as well.

 

[bdial]

Yes that’s the problem, I can’t move the easel far back enough due to the column being in the way.

What sort of easel, a four blade?
If so, a two bade, or a non-adjustable type will get you a little closer to the column.

 

[SteD]

What sort of easel, a four blade?
If so, a two bade, or a non-adjustable type will get you a little closer to the column.

Using a two blade easel.

 

[gijsbert]

Maybe a 16x20 Speed Ez-El would fit? It's not much bigger than 16x20, maybe 1/4" in the short and 3.4" on the long side – the side that's counts in this case, bummer!
And before I got one of those, I would tape the paper with two-side tape to the baseboard, I marked the position in black maker to make it easier in safe light. Not great, but if you don't do it too often it works.
Saunders also makes single size easels with no blades that are not much bigger than paper size.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Not in the least.
All enlargers benefit from wall mounting. A baseboard is an accommodation for the need for portability.

+1 fully agree!

 

[John51]

Not in the least.
All enlargers benefit from wall mounting. A baseboard is an accommodation for the need for portability.

Most baseboard enlargers can have the head do a 180 and project onto the floor. It's a hassle but the price is right.

 

[SteD]

In that case I think I will wall mount the durst. I’ve found someone who can fabricate a mount for me as there don’t seem to be any around. It’ll save me a few quid on buying a new enlarger.

 

[MattKing]

In that case I think I will wall mount the durst. I’ve found someone who can fabricate a mount for me as there don’t seem to be any around. It’ll save me a few quid on buying a new enlarger.

Be sure to factor in enough distance above the easel and away from the wall to permit use of your current easel, and perhaps a 4 bladed version as well.