Small 4x5 enlarger

Jeremy · Feb 16, 2006

I know this is kind of an oxymoron, but can anyone give me the skinny on what the smallest (reliable) 4x5 enlarger is? The previous 4x5 I had was an Omega D5XL which was WAAAAY too big. I'm looking for something that I can literally carry into the bathroom by myself to set on the counter and print with. The largest size images I'll be making on any continuous basis will be 8x10/11x14 with the very occasional 16x20. Cheap is also a plus

ggriffi · Feb 16, 2006

Jeremy,

I have a LPL 4500II that I got from someone here.It is, for me, a very nice enlarger. While not small, I can move it myself relatively easy. If I was really hard pressed I can always take the column off and move it as two pieces.

g

David A. Goldfarb · Feb 16, 2006

Some of the older D-IIs had a relatively small baseboard. I have one, and it's pretty manageable. I keep it on a rolling typewriter table and it rolls over the commode in the bathroom, fitting right between the vanity and the wall. It's as big an enlarger as I can manage in my space.

Before that, I was using a Graflarger with my Technika on a small copy stand for 4x5", and that was even smaller. If you've got a Graflok back on your 4x5" camera, you would just need a copy stand and the Graflarger and you can have an enlarging lens mounted on one of your camera lensboards. It's also nice to have a compensating timer, since the Graflarger backs don't have heaters, and are more prone to drift than modern cold light heads with heaters.

Jeremy · Feb 16, 2006

The LPL looks like a great enlarger, but far out of my price range. The Omega D-II will be something to look at...

agGNOME · Feb 16, 2006

Actually, the D5 (or, the d models in general) with standard column and baseboard is quite manageable for the limited space I work with. I can take measurements if that would help. Reasonable prices; and parts aren't difficult to find. If you still have the d5 you can look for a smaller column and baseboard. Btw, it's not too heavy for me ( small to avg. guy). But, the angle while picking it up from ground level can be a strain on the back.

SteveH · Feb 16, 2006

I agree with the above. I have a D2 and I really cannot see a 4x5 enlarger being much smaller. Honestly, I don't believe you would want one much smaller, as doing some 16x20 prints requires some room

agGNOME · Feb 16, 2006

D5 measurements with standard baseboard and column:
-overall height from bottom of baseboard 42" or about 107cm
-baseboard width 18" or about 46cm
-baseboard depth 26" or about 66cm

photomc · Feb 16, 2006

Hey Jeremy, can tell you that the Beseler 45 would not be a good choice (IMO), but was wondering if you had considered puting one of the D series on a cart that could be moved in the bath/dark room, or better yet, enlarge in one room...place the paper in a light tight tube (like one of the Unicolor or Beseler) and move it to the wet area that way. Kind of a PIA, but it would work. Just a thought.

reellis67 · Feb 16, 2006

photomc said:
...can tell you that the Beseler 45 would not be a good choice (IMO)...

I'll second that! I'm still trying to shoehorn mine into the small darkroom space that I have. They are somewhat larger than the 23 models in width and depth, and quite a bit taller, just to give you an idea...

- Randy

raucousimages · Feb 16, 2006

A small 4x5 is like asking for a Fiat that runs.

Marv · Feb 16, 2006

I have an old Federal 4X5 that actually mounts on a 2" steel tube. It has an aluminum reflector so it is relatively light weight. The mount of the base board can be easily removed and a base board of any size fabricated, or a mount made to be left in the bathroom permanently and the image projected on to the floor as a baseboard. The enlarger can be removed from the mount and stored, taking up less space. Food for thought, now may be the time to be creative!

Kino · Feb 16, 2006

Hey Marv, I have one of those Federal enlargers too, but I have as of yet to use it, because my darkroom sink is waiting for a final coat of marine paint and it will be freezing this weekend! :-(

It IS very portable and has a neat, built in Kodak Enlarging target in the 4x5 glassless holder. Mine came with a negative in the holder! Can't wait to print it!

ann · Feb 16, 2006

just got rid of an old federal 450, great old enlarger. the problem will be finding a lens and lens board if it doesn't already have one, as they are smaller than the modern lens.
smaller in diameter that is.

I believe they also made one that was only for 4x5, sorry bjut that one got away as well, but they are around

athanasius80 · Feb 16, 2006

I've got a Federal 450 too. Don't worry about lensboards, they have a second set of holes for using a Speed Graphic lensboard. (And to think I paid $12 for a manual to get that useless fact.) I think the Federals are sort of tractors, but they're cool. Jeremy come out this summer and print on mine and see what you think of it.
Chris

pnance · Feb 19, 2006

I used to watch a guy print with his graphic 4x5 and a cold light, worked, but probably not the best.

AZLF · Feb 21, 2006

I think you might be looking for something that does not exist. An oxymoron as another post said. The Graflarger system would probably be the most compact but would still require some sort of a copy table/stand in order to mount the Graflex camera(or suitable 4x5 view camera)plus the Graflarger light source at the correct height for the enlargement. There are some great looking tiny 35mm and medium format enlargers. But the neg size of the 4x5" demands a light source that covers 4x5" without dimming at the corners and that requires it seems a condenser/light diffusion area that is much larger than the earlier mentioned formats. The smallest I have seen is a tie between the Devere or the Federal. And these are the old style watermelon on a stick design. Nothing wrong with that just a description as compared to the more "modern" looking Omega and Bessler. The Bessler and the Omega are pretty big. And not something I would want to be moving around much.

I felt somewhat similar about a year ago. I "HAD" to have a 4x5"view camera. But I figured I would farm out the printing. And not too long after that I started remembering all the good times I had in different labs over the years printing my shots. But I could not get an enlarger that would print everything BUT 4x5" and the 4x5" enlargers I saw were pricey. About $500.00 for an Omega when I started looking. Happily I did managed to get one set up for 4x5" for about $170.00 with shipping on Ebay.

Just bite the bullet. You wanted 4x5". Now get a 4x5" enlarger. They are what they are.

dancqu · Feb 21, 2006

I'm in the bathroom as well. Got rid of the washer and
dryer and now have dedicated counter and shelf space.
A real big increase in space came about with my adoption
of single tray processing. Any help? Dan

Small 4x5 enlarger

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