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Russian enlarger?

SalveSlog

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A friend of mine rescued this from the dump. He gave it to me. I kind of collect cameras, but not enlargers. I'd still like to know more about this one.
And I hope someone is interested as I feel bad about returning it to the dump. (I might send it for postage only, if interest is low.)
 

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railwayman3

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I remember these being sold in the UK way back under the "Zenith" brand name ....never used one, but I thought it was a very neat unit for users with limited space or temporary darkrooms.
More info at: http://ussrphoto.com/wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=128&ParentID=3&ContentID=1511
 

Ricardo Miranda

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Ah! Those enlargers in a suitcase were very nice.

Have you used it?
 

Xmas

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They came with a 16mm film holder and even the auto focus worked...

I've done 8x10 cibachromes on mine the soviets had good optics in their T35s and SU85s...
 

youngrichard

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Xmas said:
They came with a 16mm film holder and even the auto focus worked...

I've done 8x10 cibachromes on mine the soviets had good optics in their T35s and SU85s...
Click to expand...

Some of these were autofocus, some not. Any idea which one this is?
Richard
 

Jim Jones

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I have an autofocus version with the Raduga name, but have only used it to test it. The lens is decent. The foam lining in the case is a gooey mess. Otherwise, it would be useful for enlarging up to 8x10 while traveling light. If you need a copy of the brief instructions, I could copy them later today and send them to you.
 

Xmas

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The auto focus has a cam on the pole.
 

Bill Burk

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I always "wanted" one of these, and I am sure there are many people on APUG who feel the same way.

Sure you'll find a home for it.
 
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SalveSlog

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Hi all! More interest than I expected. I'll try to mount it tomorrow and take som more pictures.
 

Peltigera

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This was my first enlarger in 1973. Complemented my Zenit SLR very well. My only complaint was that the maximum size print was not large enough for me.
 

Xmas

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SalveSlog said:
Hi all! More interest than I expected. I'll try to mount it tomorrow and take som more pictures.
Click to expand...

I did Cibachromes in a bedroom with drapes.
Processed in a print drum in bathroom
It was easier than B&W prints in trays.
You may need to replace the foam it will eat the enamel paint...

Noel
 

Gerald C Koch

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From the sticker it originally sold for 20 rubles in 1965.
 

M Carter

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Remember in the 70's, when some politician said the Russians could take out washington with a nuke in a suitcase? And some pundit said "if only they could build a decent suitcase"?

I guess that's where the suitcases went!

Love to see a pic of it setup - some of those had a super-groovy retro look. i'd make it into a table lamp!
 

Ricardo Miranda

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Love to see a pic of it setup - some of those had a super-groovy retro look. i'd make it into a table lamp!
Click to expand...

I would use it as it is.

SalveSlog

Would you be so kind as to enquire what would be the postage to the UK, please?
Thanks!
 

Xmas

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The soviets had the first H bomb test the earlier US test was not droppable...
They had the first in several rocket tests, the moon was catch up...
 
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SalveSlog

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Thank you all!

Here are some details:
I think it is complete. There is rust on the case mountings, but I don't see any on the actual enlarger. The condenser lens is as clean as the enlarger lens is dirty! I hope an experienced person will be able to clean the lens. Aperture is smooth and blades clean, I think. The original owner may have had an issue with focus, as there was some paper placed in the screw mount of the lens: see third picture of the first post. I have not tested focus. There has been a fracture on the lamp house that is glued somewhat crude (picture below). Plug/cord/switch/lamp is OK.

As there seems to be more than one person interested, I will have to think a little to solve that problem..

(Good idea to use it as a table lamp. But I won't! )
 

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John51

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I had one of those in the early 70s. Cost £20, which was a lot to me at the time. Good investment though, using it for walkie snaps financed my photography hobby. Started with a Halina Paulette and thanks to the Zenit, progressed to an OM1.

Was fun in the summer, I'd get home from selling walkie snaps on Friday and Saturday nights about midnight and because of the thin kitchen curtains, I had to get finished before dawn, about 4.30am. The autofocus saved my bacon many times over. Up to 150 postcard prints banged out from wet negatives, no time to dry them.

A mag of the day did a 50mm enlarger lens shootout and the Zenit lens, forget its brand name, came 2nd to the Componon. Sure was sharp. I did some 20 x 16 prints by projecting onto the floor with lots of weight keeping the suitcase on the kitchen table.
 
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