Going to purchase enlarger and was curious if anyone has experience with either one of these? also with the dichoric head for b&w.Thanks Dan

-- Dan Bruner (DAB08147@aol.com), June 01, 1999

Answers

I just got a Saunders 670 VCCE and it is fantastic. I got the universal glass carrier with adjustable blades, # 200-100 I think, with the anti-newton glass # 200-250. This is a glass carrier that works. Dial in the contrast and go. I might sell my Ic after getting this one. It seems to be very difficult to deal with Saunders tho, and next to impossible to order small stuff from them....but is worth the hassle. My dealer says they have always been difficult tho....

-- Joe Hughes (rotab308@uswest.net), June 03, 1999.

I have the Omega C760XL with a condenser head. I print 35mm, 6x6 and 6x7 negatives. The enlarger is very solid and with the xl girder, I can print 16x20's from 35mm with a 50mm lens. An 80mm lens will project a 24x28 image from a 6x7 negative. Each negative size requires a separate ( $42 each) carrier, although the 6x7 carrier works fine with 6x6 negatives. With 35mm, an extra condenser is supplied to intesify the light and keep 35mm exposures reasonable up to 16x20. Two lens boards are supplied with the enlarger, one is a recessed board that is needed to use a 50mm lens. The head swings along with the lens stage, allowing for dramatic image distortion or correction.

A feature I like is the ability to turn the negative carrier 180 degrees, allowing viewing and printing of vertical 35mm/6x7's in the correct orientation on the baseboard. I have not tried a dichroic head with this enlarger, as I have been using Ilford filters for a number of years prior to getting this machine. The filters load easily above the condensers. I've had no need to deal with Omega, so don't know how they might be in getting adjustments, spare parts, etc. I deal with B&H and they have carrier's, heads, etc available on 2 day delivery(check to see if they still give free shipping on Omega). A fine basic enlarger, with modular components for heads, copy stand, etc.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), June 07, 1999.

I have the C760XL with a dichroic head, which I really like even for black and white. Dialing in filter changes beats the Hell out of changing filter packs.

But I would say that much more important than the enlarger (brand) is the lens(es) you use. Get a good lens... or two. Period. And you don't have to limit yourself to a brand new Schneider or Rodenstock or Nikkor when there are plenty of used enlarger lenses on the market by any of those three manufacturers (OR EVEN GOERZ).

-- Chad Jarvis (chad_jarvis@yahoo.com), June 08, 1999.

My experience in dealing directly with Omega is very good. They're helpful, quick, and replacement parts are relatively cheap. Good company.

-- Brian Hinther (BrianH@sd314.k12.id.us), June 10, 1999.

I also have been using an Omega 760XL with the dichroic head & dial in the filter colors for VC printing. It is very convenient. It is diffused light, however, and some would say that the condenser gives a sharper image. I compensate slightly by tinkering with the contrast during film developing to create a more contrasty negative (N+.05, +1). That seems to work. I couldn't agree more with the comment about a good lense(s). I am using two El Nikkors (50 & 75). Just like when shooting, the camera bodies all do the same thing -- help you pick the right combination of speed & aperature, some just do it easier than others. It is the lens that makes sure the quality of the light is the best that it can be when projected onto the film. Same goes for printing -- projection quality is more than 1/2 the final print quality.

-- Brain Parsley (bsparsley@alltel.net), June 30, 1999.