newbie question about condenser and diffuser

[riverie]

Hi folks,

First of all I want to thank you all for the very informative source and great discussion that you guys provide here. For the last 6 months I learned a lot about analog photography, starting from understanding the camera, chemical knowledge, developing my own film, and so on. Since then I bought a scanner to digitize my film, but I knew soon or later I have to build my own darkroom to enjoy the hell of it. So I did managed to grab great condition, complete set durst m600, with negative holder, lens board, nikkor lenses, timer, all for $30 . Nothing is wrong with my enlarger, but I have questions out of my curiosity.
So here my question about condenser enlarger...how important is condensing lens? I understand their function is to focus and concentrating the light. If someone doesn't have this condensing lens, can he compensate with exposing the light with longer time?
My second question is regarding diffuser enlarger. I heard when you want to get dichro head, it's important to check the condition of magenta filter, because of the age they usually don't perform as they should. How do you check this problem ?

Thank you in advance and have a nice day,
Rio

 

[jp498]

If your condensor enlarger is missing parts such that it can't illuminate evenly, you could convert it to diffusion with a dichro head or LED head or cold light head, or DIY diffusion head.

You'd need a fresh filter pack to compare results at different contrasts compared to the dichro head. I would just not bother to compare, just get something that works and if it doesn't dial up enough contrast deal with it either by zeroing out to unfiltered light and using a filter, or fixing it. To compare contrasts you'd best contact print a stouffer step wedge. I've almost never needed full magenta contrast; it means I've really made a bad negative if I did.

 

[ic-racer]

I heard when you want to get dichro head, it's important to check the condition of magenta filter, because of the age they usually don't perform as they should.

You may have heard wrong. It is important to ensure no green light leaks around the filter or through the head, when the filter is fully engaged. You can contact print a 21 step wedge on multigrade paper to test your system.

 

[riverie]

Thank you for the reply and answer. I got a better understanding especially regarding dichro head, my friend will donate his 67s2 to me since he never use it anymore, I will check them based on your explanation so I know what to expect

 

[Paul Howell]

Thank you for the reply and answer. I got a better understanding especially regarding dichro head, my friend will donate his 67s2 to me since he never use it anymore, I will check them based on your explanation so I know what to expect

I take he is donating a 67 enlarger not just the color head? A color head from a 67 enlarger will not fit a Durst 600.

 

[AgX]

Dichroitic filters are believed not to age, unless their coatings are unharmed.
In contrast to resin or gelatin filters, that contain organic dyes.

 

[riverie]

the 67s2 that I'm going to get would be another full set enlarger. It would be interesting for me to see how these two compared