smallest enlarger that can do medium format

darkosaric · Jul 12, 2009

Hi,

I have enlarger for 35mm already (meopta axomat 5), but from time to time I want to enlarge some medium format. I am looking for some small enlarger that will not occupy much space, some 'laptop' version . Back home I had magnifax 4 - it is beauty, but it is big also.

regards,

archphoto · Jul 12, 2009

For B&W: Durst, sturdy and relatively small and can do 35mm aswell.

But there are more....

Peter

dougjgreen · Jul 12, 2009

Depends which format. Lots of fairly small enlargers can do 6x6. But if you want 6x7 or 6x9 you are looking at soemthing bigger. The Beseler Printmaker and Omega C760 are probably the smallest 6x7 enlargers.

darkosaric · Jul 12, 2009

dougjgreen said:
Depends which format. Lots of fairly small enlargers can do 6x6. But if you want 6x7 or 6x9 you are looking at soemthing bigger. The Beseler Printmaker and Omega C760 are probably the smallest 6x7 enlargers.

not bigger than 6x6

david b · Jul 12, 2009

Have no idea where you reside, because your profile does not show it.

So. Check out www.freestylephoto.biz
They might ship to you

fschifano · Jul 12, 2009

When you think about it, all enlargers with similar capabilities are going to be about the same size. Some will be more bulky than others, but in terms of "footprint" there can't be all that much difference. The height needed to achieve a given size print will be the same, and is determined by the focal length of the enlarging lens. There are a few special cases where wide angle enlarging lenses are used to allow a shorter column height, but these are not common.

MartinP · Jul 12, 2009

You have experience of Meopta already, so the Opemus range would fit the bill nicely. I use one together with a (much bigger than Magnifax) De Vere. The Opemus is hardly larger than the Axomat and seems quite a bit less bulky than the Magnifax.

Larry.Manuel · Jul 12, 2009

I have an Omega B-22, and it works very well for me. 6x6 cm capacity and smaller. There seem to be quite a few around [at least in Canada and USA], and if you keep searching, you may find one for free. It's simple, and I think parts are available. Here's a link for informational purposes, not for suggested purchase:

http://www.classic-enlargers.com/omega_b22_enlarger.htm

Bulbs are still available, too.

GJA · Jul 12, 2009

The beseler 67's are pretty small, but maybe still too big for what your looking for.

darkosaric · Jul 12, 2009

david b said:
Have no idea where you reside, because your profile does not show it.

So. Check out www.freestylephoto.biz
They might ship to you

I am in Poland, Warsaw now, originally from Croatia

darkosaric · Jul 12, 2009

Larry.Manuel said:
I have an Omega B-22

this one looks pretty compact. I will search for this one probably, if someone here does not show even smaller solution. thanks

Jerry Thirsty · Jul 12, 2009

I started out on an Omega C700. I also picked an Opemus 5a with the Meochrom head up off the curb. The Opemus is smaller than what I remember the C700 being.

WolfTales · Jul 12, 2009

Ditto on the Omega C700 - love mine... 6x7!

Ian Grant · Jul 12, 2009

There was a great small Durst 66 I can't remember the exact model number, other than that the Meopta's, it's highly unlikely you'd find any of the US brands, like Omega.

Ian

Jon Shiu · Jul 12, 2009

The durst F60 is very small and light. If you get one, just be sure it includes the necessary negative holder and condenser for medium format, as they can be hard to find/expensive.

Jon

Ian Grant · Jul 12, 2009

That's the one the F60. They do appear on Ebay regularly in Europe.

Ian

darkosaric · Jul 12, 2009

thank you all. this is why I like apug - in 5 minutes you get more than 2 months searching in google

perkeleellinen · Jul 12, 2009

I have a Meopta Opemus 6a. The column is 81cm (32") high; baseboard is 42cmX59cm (16.5"X23.5"). It's good for 6x6.

Chazzy · Jul 12, 2009

Are 6x9 enlargers really so much bigger than 6x6 enlargers? If there is little difference in size, the ability to enlarge multiple formats would be a major advantage—unless one never means to try a 6x7 or 6x9 camera.

WolfTales · Jul 12, 2009

After 6x6, the glass on the lenses for the diffusers become huge.

Larger enlargers need much structural support just to handle beefy quantities of glass.

On the C700, they actually cut the lenses to a square to save weight.

Chazzy · Jul 12, 2009

WolfTales said:
After 6x6, the glass on the lenses for the diffusers become huge.

Larger enlargers need much structural support just to handle beefy quantities of glass.

On the C700, they actually cut the lenses to a square to save weight.

Such a pity. 6x6 is my least favorite of all the various 120 formats. But at least one could also do 6x4.5!

Anon Ymous · Jul 12, 2009

perkeleellinen said:
I have a Meopta Opemus 6a. The column is 81cm (32") high; baseboard is 42cmX59cm (16.5"X23.5"). It's good for 6x6.

That would be my choice, as they are very common around Europe. You can also find spare parts easily, or you can even cannibalise another who is missing some parts to get the parts you need. In the later case, the prices are probably very low and if they're missing something like the base or column, postage should be low as well. Another good thing about it is that you can modify them from condenser to diffuser (color 3/4es), also giving you the opportunity to print color.

smallest enlarger that can do medium format

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