One enlarger to do all formats, or dedicated units?

Yamaotoko · Jul 23, 2010

Hi all,

Well, we've got a new addition coming to our family, and this one only has two legs! As a result, both space, and cash are at a premium, so I'm looking at areas where I can offload to boost both... and right now I'm looking at my darkroom...

I've got two enlargers, a Meopta Opemus 5a (6x6 down to 35mm) and an Omega D3 (4x5 down to 35mm), what I'm wondering, is there any reason, as far as the end result goes, why one wouldn't just use a 'do it all' enlarger? What it comes down to, I guess, is if I could get rid of the Meopta that would make a bit of extra room and... well, okay, probably just some extra room, since I don't think it would really sell for all that much!

I've got three lenses, cones & focusing tracks for the D3 to cover 35mm to 4x5, so from a purely practical point of view, it makes sense (to me) to have one unit taking up one bit of bench space. So, before I shuffle this over to the classifieds, can anyone give me an insight in to why I might want to hang on to the smaller (lighter, easier to move around, easier to hide) enlarger? Just to give a little more info, I'm currently kitting out one of our sheds (we've just recently moved) into a darkroom, so once set up, the portability won't be such an issue.

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

Cheers,
Steve

darkosaric · Jul 23, 2010

You can't get big money for Opemus, just keep it as backup, hide it somewhere in closet . I am wondering what is max size of print you can get from Omega on 35mm format? Is it bigger than Opemus?

Yamaotoko · Jul 23, 2010

darkosaric said:
I am wondering what is max size of print you can get from Omega on 35mm format? Is it bigger than Opemus?

Yes, much bigger, on the Omega I can get 20x26 in any format, with room to spare on the base board. The Opemus can tilt the head 90 degrees to project on the wall, but then the Omega can spin 180 deg on its base to print on the floor... so max output size isn't really an issue... besides, I don't know how often I'd ever print big enough to warrant floor/wall projection, 11x14 is my regular 'big' enlargement, 20x26 is the absolute top end, any bigger and it's just too much paper for me to handle in the trays

brucemuir · Jul 23, 2010

I wish I had the room for a second enlarger but it would be so I could have 1 diffusion and 1 condensor type but I get by fine with an Omega DII that I fitted with the Super Duper Chromega II Dichroic head.

Point I'm making is I don't see a need for 2 enlargers capable of the same formats unless they have different style light sources/heads.

Steve Smith · Jul 23, 2010

I have recently installed a DeVere 54 which was given to me. I also have an LPL 6700 but I intend to use the DeVere for everything from 35mm up to 5"x4". I don't do a lot of 35mm now so I think I will be o.k.

I will see if I can give the LPL away to someone to use rather than just keep it doing nothing.

Steve.

Rick A · Jul 23, 2010

I currantly have space limitations, or I would be running dedicated enlargers. I purchased an Omega Pro Lab 45 and have two turrets with all the lenses for the formats I shoot. When I get moved and set up my new DR I will break out all the enlargers from storage and resume using dedicated machines. I like the convenience of not having to reset all my settings and just set the timer and run. Oh ya, I have six enlargers, 4 Omega C-7oo's, an Omega B=66 Pro Lab, and the 4x5.

5stringdeath · Jul 23, 2010

I use my Omega 5D Dichroic for every format now. But I still own 2 B-22's ... one is an endtable/reading lamp, haha.

The only reason I would add another dedicated unit is if someone gave me (or I got really cheap) a Leitz V35 for my 35mm work. Otherwise, I'm quite happy with a single enlarger to handle all formats.

fschifano · Jul 23, 2010

No reason at all you can't use the D3 for everything. I've got a similarly fitted out Omega D4 (very similar to the D3) and an Omega B600 in the darkroom. The B600 doesn't do much more than take up space.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 23, 2010

It's not as simple as just using a different focal length lens.

There is a problem when using a large format enlarger masked down to a much smaller format. So much light output is lost when masking down for the smaller format that exposure times can be much longer. There are additional problems involved when using condenser enlargers with multiple size formats.

Ian Grant · Jul 23, 2010

I've used a 5x4 enlarger alongside a Durst 6x6 since th mid 70's, I gave the 5x4 away when I bought a De Vere 5108.

It's far easier printing 35mm 0r 6x6 on the smaller enlarger, and lamp costs are high for De Vere's so it makes sense to use it for 5x4 and my other larger negatives 6x17 & 10x8.

Ian

MattKing · Jul 23, 2010

A second enlarger is very useful for flashing.

Do you have backup bulbs for your D3?

If you have any thoughts about printing colour, it may make most sense to outfit the Opemus 5a with a colour head.

Rick A · Jul 23, 2010

Gerald C Koch said:
It's not as simple as just using a different focal length lens.

There is a problem when using a large format enlarger masked down to a much smaller format. So much light output is lost when masking down for the smaller format that exposure times can be much longer. There are additional problems involved when using condenser enlargers with multiple size formats.

I dont have the problem of longer exposures using my 4x5, quite the opposite, some are far shorter than I prefer, and sometimes I cannot burn in or dodge. For those times, I find myself breaking out one of my smaller enlargers, and wasting time setting up everything anew.

ic-racer · Jul 23, 2010

It is all about convenience and darkroom space. I keep using the smaller enlargers because swapping the large two stage mixing boxes of the 8x10 Durst back and forth can be a chore.

Sirius Glass · Jul 23, 2010

Use the enlarger that can handle from 35mm to 4x5. Put the other enlarger in storage. Enlargers, like wine, improve with age. That is why people buy enlargers and let them sit around for years until they use them.

I thought that you would like to know that.

Steve

fotch · Jul 23, 2010

One size does it all! There is little if any advantage in keeping the smaller one.

If you had the space, the money didn't matter, and you wanted more than one, that would be different. You could dream up all kinds of reasons to tell your mate why you have to have them. Don't ask me how I know that.

Ian Grant · Jul 23, 2010

fotch if you've ever used a 5x4 enlarger for 35mm you'd know it's a real pain, it can be done but is less practical.

Having a second enlarge set up is great for flashing as Matt says, but it's also faster to use for 35mm and 6x6 as well. The meopta's are quite small.

Ian

dentkimterry · Jul 23, 2010

Sirius Glass said:
Enlargers, like wine, improve with age. That is why people buy enlargers and let them sit around for years until they use them.

Steve

Man, isn't that the truth!

Terry

Ektagraphic · Jul 23, 2010

I have a Beseler 23C that I absolutly love and wouldn't trade for anything that I use for most of my printing as I primarily do MF but I use the 23C for 35mm, 645, and 6x6 and for 4x5 I have an Omega DII wich is also a great machine that I will certainly be starting to use more when my renovations are through. I have dedicated the DII to 4x5 and all other smaller formats go through the 23C. It's a great set up.

stillsilver · Jul 23, 2010

If you have the space, keep both. The biggest reason is flashing. Once you get your exposure dialed in you can mark the settings and only have to flash one sheet of paper at a time. The same would go with contact sheets.

I also feel that you will have much more regret than you will money if you do sell.

Mike

Rob Skeoch · Jul 23, 2010

If you have space in the new darkroom I would keep both. You might not get much cash for it anyway.
I use 3. One just does 8x10, a saunders 4x5 that I use for 120 film, since I don't shoot any 4x5, and a V35 Leica for the 35mm work. I could use the Saunders for 35mm as well but the Leica enlarger is a dream to use so I keep it around.
-rob

fschifano · Jul 23, 2010

Ian Grant said:
fotch if you've ever used a 5x4 enlarger for 35mm you'd know it's a real pain, it can be done but is less practical.

Having a second enlarge set up is great for flashing as Matt says, but it's also faster to use for 35mm and 6x6 as well. The meopta's are quite small.

Ian

Interesting that you think so. For me it's fine. I use an Omega D series enlarger with the Chromega 2 head. As it stands it will make a print as large as 16 x 20 and as small as 5x7 from a 35 mm negative when equipped with a 50 mm lens. At 8x10 the lens to paper distance is comfortable to work with, and there is plenty of light even when using the less efficient 4x5 mixing chamber. There is so much light that I must use the built in attenuator to cut down the light by more than half to make the exposure or else have to tolerate very short exposure times of less than 10 seconds. The upside of that of course is that there is plenty of light for focusing. For making smaller prints, it's easy enough to swap the 50 mm lens for an 80 mm lens which is good for anything from 4x5 to about 8.5 x 11. I can go even smaller if I use a longer lens and the auxiliary focusing bellows. None of these components are anywhere near difficult to swap and and require absolutely no dis-assembly of anything. Auto focus is maintained simply by moving the cam follower from one cam to the other. The whole process takes maybe 10 seconds.

2F/2F · Jul 24, 2010

I feel fine doing anything 4x5 and smaller with a 4x5 enlarger. The way my darkroom is set up now (after a recent major change from a single B-22XL) is a Beseler 45 with color head to handle everything 4x5 and smaller, and an Omega F to handle projected proof sheets, full frame 4x5 (entire composition, with no loss of edges), and anything else up to 10x10. (I shoot 5x7 as well as 4x5.)

So, I have a 10x10 and a 4x5 enlarger, as the smaller formats are much easier to print on the 4x5 enlarger than on the 10x10 enlarger. However, I would probably not bother having a 4x5 enlarger and a smaller one, unless I was doing special effects (and even then, two identical enlargers would be best). They can print all formats smaller than 4x5 very easily.

fotch · Jul 24, 2010

Ian Grant said:
fotch if you've ever used a 5x4 enlarger for 35mm you'd know it's a real pain, it can be done but is less practical.

Having a second enlarge set up is great for flashing as Matt says, but it's also faster to use for 35mm and 6x6 as well. The meopta's are quite small.

Ian

I wonder why you feel that way. I love using my Beseler 45 for 35mm. Sometime with a Negatrans if I need a lot of individual prints to make off of a roll. Usually though, just single negative holders.

I have had smaller enlargers but they just sit collecting dust. Smallest I have now is a Beseler 23C. I brought it new and a color head and just can't bring myself to sell it for what the market is now. I still like it and do use it occasionally.

To each their own I guess. Although I think I would like to have a 35mm Leitz but how much would I really use it.

YMMV

Ian Grant · Jul 24, 2010

I guess because I've always had 2 enlargers in a darkroom since the mid 70's, and my Durst M601 (in storage) or M670 are great enlargers for 35mm/6x6 both with colour heads.

However my 5x4 enlarger was a cold cathode head so needed below the lens filters for VC papers, in addition the cantilever height adjustment was too finicky for 35mm, it was fine for 6x9 though. so there may well be better 5x4 enlargers allowing practical 35mm use.

Ian

fotch said:
I wonder why you feel that way. I love using my Beseler 45 for 35mm. Sometime with a Negatrans if I need a lot of individual prints to make off of a roll. Usually though, just single negative holders.

I have had smaller enlargers but they just sit collecting dust. Smallest I have now is a Beseler 23C. I brought it new and a color head and just can't bring myself to sell it for what the market is now. I still like it and do use it occasionally.

To each their own I guess. Although I think I would like to have a 35mm Leitz but how much would I really use it.

YMMV

Wade D · Jul 24, 2010

Since I bought my Beseler 45 I haven't used my smaller enlarger that does 6x6 and 35mm. The 45 handles all sizes quickly and efficiently. The small one is in storage now.

One enlarger to do all formats, or dedicated units?

Yamaotoko

darkosaric

Yamaotoko

brucemuir

Steve Smith

Rick A

5stringdeath

fschifano

Gerald C Koch

Ian Grant

MattKing

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Rick A

ic-racer

Sirius Glass

fotch

Ian Grant

dentkimterry

Ektagraphic

stillsilver

Rob Skeoch

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fschifano

2F/2F

fotch

Ian Grant

Wade D

One enlarger to do all formats, or dedicated units?

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