Which enlarger should I go for?

[PHOTOTONE]

My recommendation for purchasing an enlarger..is simple. Get the biggest, baddest heaviest one you can afford. Try to choose from the most popular brands made over the years, such as Bessler, Omega, Durst (my perspective is from what is available in the USA), as they will have the longest support for parts new or used.

You may say, ...but, but..I will never need to print a negative bigger than 6x6, etc. Well...you may or may not. An enlarger capable of taking a larger negative may inspire you to acquire a larger camera someday. But, regardless of that, the bigger heavier the enlarger is, the more stable and vibration free it is, resulting in sharper prints...from any size negative.

 

[Doug Hook]

A long time ago someone recommended to me the same logic with car engines - getting a size up from what you really need so the engine never has to work too hard. That seemed valid and having in a 2.0 litre proved much better than 1.6 (we run our cars for well over 100,000miles). Following this I agree with your logic regarding getting a heftier enlarger, capable of handling a larger size. Although the Durst I got can do 6x6cm, it seems sturdy fo rmy 35mm negs and cheap enough.

 

[haris]

Another vote for Magnifax 4,

I bought it secondhand two years ago. It came with b/w and colour heads. I bought for it glasless negative carriers and mixing chambers for almost all sizes, except 6x9, directly from Meopta. What I want to say, one advantage of that enlarger is that Meopta have (or had in time when I bought them, that it summer two years ago, please check for avaliability now) original accessories and spare parts for that enlarger. And since I bought them from Meopta directly those carriers and mixing chambers were relatively cheap!

 

[haris]

If you want something that is currently made, check out Kaiser System V.

Or maybe Kienzle.

It's OK to buy a used enlarger, but someone should buy a new enlarger every once in a while, or manufacturers will give up.

Yes, I would like too to buy new enlarger with Heiland splitgrade and motorized head systems, but I simply have no money for it...