What's a good diffuser enlarger for 6x6 negs?

gone · May 25, 2021

My current condenser enlarger works fine, but some old negatives are pretty beat up. Prints from them need lots of touching up. Comparing the same prints from my old diffuser model Durst, many of the bad areas are there but they're less pronounced and have soft edges. Makes it easier for me to touch up.

11x14 is big enough, and an old enlarger is OK. Trying to keep it under $300 w/ shipping. I could get by w/ just a 35mm enlarger, although if I could finally print more 6x6 negs, that's even better. I looked at CL and all the local places, but there's nothing.

Note: I will be moving in Nov, so an enlarger that would be small enough to break down and bring with me would be preferred, if possible.

ChristopherCoy · May 25, 2021

I've got a Beseler 67 with an aristo cold head in it that I would part with for cheap.

gone · May 25, 2021

Thanks Chris. That sounds like a great enlarger, but my lease is up in Nov and I'll probably be moving down South, so would like to ship a smallish enlarger w/ me if possible. I forgot to put that in my post but it's in there now.

Pieter12 · May 25, 2021

I think a Beseler 67 would be about as small as you can find for 6x6.

MattKing · May 25, 2021

Pieter12 said:
I think a Beseler 67 would be about as small as you can find for 6x6.

It depends on which version.
The original, relatively massive single, extended girder version takes a lot of space. So much so that when our downsizing made it necessary to sell my 4x5 enlarger, I ended up not using my Beseler 67 - the LPL 7700 I'm using has a lot smaller footprint.
Here is an old photo of my Beseler 57 on its cart:

ChristopherCoy · May 25, 2021

Mine is the small column that’s not much bigger than the 35 column.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/frankenlarger-questions.176322/

bdial · May 25, 2021

Durst made a few different medium format capable enlargers that can pack up quite compactly.

ic-racer · May 25, 2021

What's a good diffuser enlarger for 6x6 negs?

Anything within driving distance. Almost all medium format enlargers with color heads were for advanced or pro use. Hard to go wrong with just about any of them that are in working condition.

Only drawback with diffusing a condenser head is that there is a reason condenser heads are cheaper. They are more efficient so they have lower wattage lamps. Once you diffuse the light source, they become less efficient and you may have very long exposure times for big prints. Some people will use the condensers for very large prints and diffuse the light source for smaller prints; best of both worlds.

ruilourosa · May 26, 2021

Get a diffuser head for your existent enlarger...

Or adapt one...

Paul Howell · May 27, 2021

If you want a second enlarger Meopta OPEMUS III, you want the complete kit with case and diffuser insert. Very old school, Federal Stow A Way JR. Has a 2 element lens with waterhouse stops, diffusion, uses a clear glass bulb, I have one that I use for some 6X6 and ^X9 negatives that I want to enlarge soft, I use a LED bulb, does not do well with 35mm, without condenser way to slow, but you could use a higher Lum LED bulb, and it comes with a case. Pain to use, no counterbalance. Made from stamps parts, mine fit well, no light leaks.

George Collier · May 27, 2021

An Omega B22 with an Aristo cold light fits your bill, small, well machined and prints 6x6. Finding one with an Aristo cold light head might be a challenge, though.

What's a good diffuser enlarger for 6x6 negs?

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