Which enlarger for a beginner?

[Susie]

I've gotten almost all of my darkroom equip. except an enlarger. I have my eye on 2 and both are Durst. Durst F60 w/lens and carrier and easel for $50. Also a Durst M600 w/2 lenses for $100. Both are used but complete and in working order. I'm wondering what you might think of this brand? And how much of a problem am I going to have finding parts or more lenses for them?

 

[eddie]

Durst's are superb enlargers. I can't speak to the 2 you mentioned but, if complete, they are solid machines. Lenses are no problem, if you have the lensboards- any enlarging lens will work. You need to consider what format you shoot in, and whether the enlarger will cover it.

 

[wclark5179]

I've had an Omega B-22 XL for over 40 years and it still works like a charm. I have the Dichroic Color head that I use full time.

 

[RobertV]

Durst, Kaiser, Dunco, Meopta, de Vere, Kienzle were all popular in Europe. For the Durst series I can recommend, M605, M670, M805, L1200 resp. 6x6, 6x7, 6x9cm and 4x5". A M605 you can find in the mean time for less then Eur. 80,-. Lenses are not a problem because M39x1mm will fit in all these enlargers. Best are El Nikkor, Schneider or Rodenstock.

 

[fotch]

Hi Susie, welcome to APUG. Recommendations may be location dependent. What is available in one country may not be available elsewhere. Enlargers in populated areas are less expensive than in other locations where there are fewer available.

Durst is a good brand. However, most everyone has their favorites and most enlargers will work for beginners.

 

[John Koehrer]

Hi Susie,
What Fotch said regarding location.
In Europe/UK Durst, Meopta and LPL are relatively common. In the US Beseler and Omega are more common. I both cases a smattering of misc. brands are around too. US sources for Durst are pretty slim pickin's.
Most enlarger/lenses today use the 39mm mount. The 25mm mount was common thirty years ago & there a lot of 50mm Schneider lenses with that size. New lens boards with 25mm aren't all that common

 

[Wade D]

Hello and welcome to APUG. The enlargers mentioned so far would all be good choices. However, if you are on a tight budget there are many beginner type enlargers that will work well. Vivitar, Lucky and Hansa come to mind and were made to take 35mm and 2 1/4 film. I bought a Hansa with both carriers and lenses for $25 a few years ago. Not as sturdy as the bigger brand names but will work to get you going.

 

[srs5694]

I'd be reluctant to recommend spending over $100 on a first enlarger in today's climate, unless it comes with lots of extras (trays, easels, etc.). The reason is that you probably just don't know what you'll find useful, so if you spend a lot on an enlarger, you may discover that it's not well-suited to your needs, and you'll end up having to get another one, and maybe get rid of the first one, which will be extra expense and hassle. If you get something cheaper, at least it won't be as expensive if you decide you want something else.

Another point: What types of film do you shoot? 35mm? 6x6? 6x7? Etc.? It's often recommended to buy an enlarger that can handle a size or so bigger than what you currently shoot, so that you've got some room for growth. So if you only shoot 35mm now, get a 6x6 enlarger so you can move to medium format if you so desire. (Enlargers can almost always handle smaller sizes than their maximums without problems, although they may need alternate negative carriers, lenses, etc., to do so.) OTOH, enlargers that handle bigger formats are themselves larger and may be more expensive, which may weigh against this advice, especially if you're short on space or tight on budget.

Yet another point: IMHO, it's best to get a color enlarger -- one with built-in color correction filters. Even if you don't plan to make your own color prints, the filters can still be used to adjust contrast on B&W prints when you use variable contrast (VC) paper. With most B&W enlargers, you must use separate contrast filters for this task. Separate filters work fine, of course, but the built-in color filters are infinitely adjustable and most people say they're more convenient. You'll also have the option of doing color prints if you get a color enlarger. Separate filters for color are available, but are awkward.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on either of the specific models you mentioned with respect to any of these points, or any others; but you may want to keep these factors in mind when you evaluate them.

 

[fschifano]

I'll repeat what fotch wrote. Your choice should be location specific. Durst parts are hard to come by in the US; and when you find them, they usually carry a hefty price. Beseler and Omega are far more common, with a wide selection of relatively inexpensive parts still available. In many cases, still in production.

In Europe the opposite is true with a certain, and critical exception. Durst is out of the enlarger business. Anything you'll need will by necessity be had from the used market. Damned fine machines though, really good examples of northern Italian industrial design.

 

[zumbido]

I use a Durst M600 for most of my work. I bought it with some problems for $12, and rehabbed it. I've gotten used to it, and I finally found the right lensboard with a 39mm mount two weeks ago for less than $50. Unless you're a tinkerer who doesn't mind improvising or fabricating parts, I wouldn't recommend a Durst if you're in the US. Personally. I'd also say it's a lot more of a beast to clean and adjust than the free Omega I have. But *when* it is properly cleaned and adjusted it's a better performer. May also want to invest in anti-newton glass. Personally I'm cheap so I just spend a ton of time obsessively cleaning the glass surfaces.

 

[Rick A]

Omega enlargers are very common in the US, and parts from the currant production C-700 will also fit alot of the old B -22 and a few others. The C-700 is an excellent machine that will allow the beginner to advance without having to upgrade equiptment, unless stepping up to 6x9cm or larger. Negative carriers are available in 35mm, 6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x7 formats. To change format, merely change the lens and insert the chosen negative holder. No need to mess with adjusting condensors or cones, its a simple machine. You can generally find one for well under $100 with extras.

 

[stillsilver]

I have a C-700 and I love it. I chipped the condenser lens on the last move but it only effects the 6x7 which I don’t (currently) shoot. 35 and 6x6.

Back to the OP. Welcome to the site. I also counsel that you get the enlarger a size bigger. I wish I’d gotten a LF enlarger. It is next on my list.

Mike

 

[R Shaffer]

I've gotten almost all of my darkroom equip. except an enlarger. I have my eye on 2 and both are Durst. Durst F60 w/lens and carrier and easel for $50. Also a Durst M600 w/2 lenses for $100. Both are used but complete and in working order. I'm wondering what you might think of this brand? And how much of a problem am I going to have finding parts or more lenses for them?

I have a Durst F-60 and for me it is the perfect little enlarger. My darkroom is a laundry room most of the time so I need to assemble & breakdown for printing sessions. I got mine on ebay for something like $15 ( $30 w/ shipping ). It came with both the condensors, Flesixcon 50 for 35mm & Flesixcon 75 for 6x6. And also the negative carrier for 6x6 and mask for 35mm. I use a cut paper mask for my 645 negs. It uses standard enlarging lenses. I make prints up to 11x14 on it.

If I had a different situation I would have gone with a bigger, more stable enlarger, but I have no complaints. $50 seems a bit high, but if it is a nice easel and has all the parts in good condition, then it would be worth it. I would try and get them to sweeten the deal with maybe a set of variable contrast filters or useful accessories

 

[Marcus S]

Hello Susie,

The Durst F 60 is quite a competent sturdy little enlarger. I have worked for many years without a problem with the F 60 and made prints up to 20x24. You simply rotate the base backwards and place a weight on it.
This allows floor projection. It also swivels the head sideways for horizontal, wall projection.
It can be put away for storage quickly if you are limited for space. It accepts negative from 35 to 6x6.
Fitted with a quality enlarging lens it will perform well for many years and grow with you as has mine.
Now I work with larger format enlargers, but the little F 60 is still a part of my darkroom.