Which enlarger do you print with

[thebasementzone]

I use a Zone VI Type II fitted with a 45S Beseler color head for B&W. I purchased the last Beseller adapter for this enlarger from Calumet. It's a nice combination.

I’m looking at getting a 45S for my enlarger. Is the adapter something one could fabricate?
Not sure if I could locate one to purchase these days.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

LPL 4550XLG with interchangeable VCCE and color modules along with an LPL 670MXL. Started with a Bogen T35 as my first enlarger at age 12, then upgraded to a Durst M601 w/o the CLS head for several decades for 35mm, but the 4550XLG is a dream. I do 35mm, 6x7, and 4x5 with 6x7 being the most frequent. I'm considering upgrading the 4550XLG with a Heiland LED light source and the auto-filter split-grade units.

Mike

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I am wondering which enlarger do others print with.
At the time being, I am using a Beseler 23CII with a color head.
I have in storage a Beseler 45mbx with color and condenser heads, 1 more 23CII with condenser head, 2 Omega B22's ( one xl ).
And most carriers for them.
I have been thinking about just going back to the B22 since I don't print color anymore and my darkroom has downsized to a spare bathroom now.
If I go back to the B22, I'll have to support the column to keep the vibration down and help support it. I do like printing large and the B22XL would ( I think) suffice.
I print exclusively on Durst enlargers with color heads. Supporting McCollum is a great idea and probably should be done to every enlarger.
This is somthing I have been wondering about and how well you like what you use.

Any response on this will be interesting to know.

Richard

 

[Paul Howell]

I have 4 enlargers, an Omega D3, LP 6700 with color head, Opemus III, and Federal Stowaway Jr. The Omega is always set up, today I have the Federal Stowaway as I'm printing 6X9 and want a soft look. The Federal has a fixed 2 element lens, I guess a 90mm or so. When I've finished will go back to the Meopta Opemus III which I use to print 35mm and 6X6 while I use the Omega for 6X9 to 4X5.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have a Fujimoto 4x5. Aristo VCL 4500 system on top. Brought it all back to Canada with me from Japan.

 

[gone]

I hate my enlarger. Let's get that out of the way, right at the beginning. It's a Lentar, a simple, low end, 35mm condenser enlarger, and it would be a great enlarger except for the focus. It's one of those friction jobs, and just as you get the focus perfect, it moves back a little. So you end up spending way too much time fiddling w/ this in the darkroom.

The next enlarger (still window shopping) will have a smooth focus, be capable of at least 6x6, and maybe be a diffuser model instead of a condenser, if that will help w/ the print spotting. It always amazes me how how quickly a photograph can be snapped and developed, but when it comes to getting a good print on the wall, you're looking at a ridiculous amount of time and work!

 

[MARTIE]

4 up and running, all Durst Laborator L1200's.

• VLS 501 with Mot 2000 AF
• CLS 501
• Femocap BW condenser
• Multigraph

 

[removed account4]

I think I remember that Burke and James once made a good line of enlargers that they called "SOLAR" so I would not be surprised if someone in this group is still using a "SOLAR" to enlarge their negatives......Regards!

YES!! I apprenticed for someone who had a SOLAR enlarger. big weird wood and glass negative carrier that was more like a desk drawer than what I had ever imagined a negative carrier to look like but it "carried" the negative and that is all that matters . From what I remember the head was this weird looking round thing that reflected the light and softened / diffused it on this weird coating inside the head. The enlarger took these weird big long neck bulbs that by the time I began working there, had become quite rare. My boss had opened the yellow pages and called every bulb distributer seller, photo shop, bulb jobber &c within a 50 mile radius and had a milk crate with enough bulbs in it to fill it to the top. she was in her 70s and her supply of these weird bulbs outlived her ! that enlarger sure did make great prints.

 

[Photomultiplier]

Durst M601 with CLS66 dichro head and 80 & 50mm Componon.

I could possibly get an Durst Laborator 138 (would enable me to print 4x5" optically) that is collecting dust somwhere in a basement, but i don't have space for it

 

[GKC]

I contact print 8x10 and 5x7 negatives. Problem solved

 

[NB23]

I hate my enlarger. Let's get that out of the way, right at the beginning. It's a Lentar, a simple, low end, 35mm condenser enlarger, and it would be a great enlarger except for the focus. It's one of those friction jobs, and just as you get the focus perfect, it moves back a little. So you end up spending way too much time fiddling w/ this in the darkroom.

The next enlarger (still window shopping) will have a smooth focus, be capable of at least 6x6, and maybe be a diffuser model instead of a condenser, if that will help w/ the print spotting. It always amazes me how how quickly a photograph can be snapped and developed, but when it comes to getting a good print on the wall, you're looking at a ridiculous amount of time and work!

Practice and a good enlarger is key. I’m amazed at how easy and fast it has become.
A few days ago I have printed 102 and 104 (5x7) prints in two days. Otherwise I’m at about 50 5x7 or 24-30 8x10 or 18-24 11x14 daily, 6 days a week.

I don’t enter the darkroom for anything under than the figures above. Been doing this for years now.

I could print anyone’s gallery show in sizes up to 20x24 in one single day. It’s easy but you need a lot of practice. One day you’ll just say “ok that was easy” after a 30 good prints darkroom session.

As with anything, the tools play a huge part. My Focomat IIc is a joy to use. Everywhere I touch it, I Love it. And it’s just not in the way, it let’s me print without hassles. Every day I can’t wait to use it.

 

[MattKing]

I hate my enlarger. Let's get that out of the way, right at the beginning. It's a Lentar, a simple, low end, 35mm condenser enlarger, and it would be a great enlarger except for the focus. It's one of those friction jobs, and just as you get the focus perfect, it moves back a little. So you end up spending way too much time fiddling w/ this in the darkroom.

The next enlarger (still window shopping) will have a smooth focus, be capable of at least 6x6, and maybe be a diffuser model instead of a condenser, if that will help w/ the print spotting. It always amazes me how how quickly a photograph can be snapped and developed, but when it comes to getting a good print on the wall, you're looking at a ridiculous amount of time and work!

One hint for those who want another enlarger.
Put your actual location (not "Lower Earth") in your Photrio profile.
If you were local to me I would probably be on the phone with you in minutes with a very attractive offer of something much more capable and fun to use.
And as for how quick you can have good prints? Having easy to use equipment and lots of practice is the solution.
Working for newspapers was really good experience for that!

 

[Paul Howell]

My first 4X5 was a B&J Solar, in the mid 70s I had a B22, had used Omega D5s in the AF, had a 4X5 Speed and bought a Crown, the Camera shop I was regular at had taken the Solar in a trade, had sat for a couple of years, he gave to me, well almost gave, like $20. Yes the negative carrier was very odd, mine had been retrofitted to take a standard 150 watt bulb. With a decent lens did a nice job, but without a crank raising and lowering the head and negative stage took some effort. I in turned passed it on to a college student when I bought a D3.

 

[faberryman]

My first enlarger was an Omega B22XL. My current enlarger is a Beseler 45MXT with an Aristo cold light head.

 

[Paul Howell]

The B22 was a very nice MF enlarger. Should have kept mine when I got the D3, over the decades I've gone though 2Dursts in the 600 series and now a LP, the B22 would have been there chugging along.

 

[Bronson Dugnutt]

Beseler 67 Printmaker (C.E. Rokkor-X 30mm, El-Nikkor 40mm f4, 50mm f2.8, 80mm f5.6) & Speed Graphic w/ a Graflarger back (El-Nikkor 135mm f5.6 in a lens board; 3D printed along with a 4x5 negative holder).

The focusing mechanism in the 67 is extremely over-tightened and I've had to repair a crack in the plastic focus knob with steel epoxy. I'm assuming there is a way to adjust the grippage, but the relevant hardware appears inaccessible without disassembling the head.

If I had a re-do I'd probably go with an Intrepid enlarger unit: 135, 120, and 4x5 support, geared adjustments, color light source, and a built-in timer.

 

[logan2z]

I use a Beseler 23C II/XL as my primary enlarger for 35mm and medium format. I also have a Leitz Focomat v35 but rarely use it for a variety of reasons. The Beseler is nothing fancy, but it's pretty easy to use, seems to stay aligned well (although the initial alignment is a bit fiddly) and accessories are readily available.

 

[logan2z]

One hint for those who want another enlarger.
Having easy to use equipment and lots of practice is the solution.

I would add 'well exposed negatives' to that list, which I'm still working on

 

[Tim Stapp]

I guess that I have to respond with "It depends."

I currently have 3 enlargers (just moved, so not printing at the moment). One is set up for 35 mm, one for 6x7 (both Beseler 23C-IIs) and one for 4x5 (Beseler CB-7).

 

[Louis Nargi]

Durst M601 with a color head and a omega d2

 

[George Collier]

Omega D2 with the Aristo Cold Light head, V54 bulb. Did I see somewhere that they are making that bulb again?

 

[Arthurwg]

I use a Saundrs/LPL 4550 XLG for everything from 35mm to 4X5. I love it. Easy to use and never needs alignment, or so they claim. Don

I also use the LPL 4550 XLG. No complaints except I haven't been able to use the light module for 35mm. Doesn't seem to lock into place, no idea why. Maybe it doesn't "lock" but just sits there? Nikkor lenses.

 

[Ai Print]

I also use the LPL 4550 XLG. No complaints except I haven't been able to use the light module for 35mm. Doesn't seem to lock into place, no idea why. Maybe it doesn't "lock" but just sits there? Nikkor lenses.

You are talking about the 35mm mixing box that has the lens on it, right? I have them for my enlargers and it just drops in like the 6x6 and 4x5 one. The only thing that really locks it into place is reattaching the top cover and single screw.

 

[Pitotshock]

Currently running an Omega ProLab 4x5 XL(D series) and an Omega Super Chromega C for my colour work. I was also given an old Durst M600 that was converted to a copy stand