Any reason I shouldn't use a normal household 75w lightbulb in my enlarger - don't want to fall sucker to market forces if I can use a cheaper lightbulb. What's so special about special enlarger bulbs?

-- Greg Brosnan (gbrosnan@infosel.net.mx), April 22, 1999

Answers

No.

Enlarger bulbs are more expensive, because they have an even coating of the "frost" that allows you to in turn make an even print. Try a regular bulb and you will see what I mean. How do I know you ask? I burnt out an an enlarger bulb and out of desperation had to try a regular bulb, it don't work with out a LOT of work!

-- Marv (mthompson@clinton.net), April 22, 1999.

In addition, if you stop down any at all you will be able to read the type on the crown of the bulb. Not very pretty.

fred

-- fred (fdeaton@airnet.net), May 12, 1999.

Hi Greg. I too am a cheapskate and I have found a bulb that seems to work in place of the enlarger bulb with minimal change in exposure times. Buy two bulbs for about $2 that are designed for use in overhead fan fixtures. They are small so they will fit in your head easier. The frosting is even and no letters on the glass that may transfer to your print. I could only find 60w bulbs but it didn't change my exposure times much.

-- Kevin Drew (kldrew@gte.net), August 10, 1999.

i did this one time and found that the lettering can be scraped off with a sharp knife or razor blade. Eveness of lighting was not as good as the proper 112 bulb, but worked in a pinch. I also jerry-rigged a difusser below the condenser and got pretty good results.(more than one way to skin a cat)

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), August 10, 1999.