I have recently reentered the darkroom after 10+ years. I purchased a used Beseler 67c with an oversized board. This enlarger seems sturdy and I am comfortable with the controls but it came with a condenser light source. After expierencing information overload on the internet I now wonder if I should change light sources or enlargers. I plan on improving my B&W printing of 35mm and 120. Is a Dichro a good choice? Is cold light overkill? Also I would like to hear any oppinions on my C E Rokkor-X 2.8 lens.

-- Rod Rich (rodrich@mindspring.com), February 22, 2000

Answers

The Beseler range of enlargers have a great reputation, as do the Rokkor enlarging lenses. Why do you think you should change them? In fact, when I was a photography student, there was always a race to get one of the Beselers in the communal darkroom.

A condenser head will give you the sharpest possible prints, but of course, sharpness isn't everything. Switching to a diffused light source will reduce the micro-contrast of your prints, and help to mask grain and any small surface marks or scratches on the negative. Gradation is affected noticeably, but not as much as a lot of people try to make out.

My personal opinion: Forget about cold-cathode heads, they're a pain. Any fluorescent tube takes time to warm-up, so unless you leave it on and cover/uncover the lens for exposure, your exposures are going to be slightly inconsistent. This also means you can't use any readily available automatic timers, and dodging and burning becomes even more of a juggling act than it need be.

Stop fretting and get in the darkroom and make some prints! Working your way through a box of paper will improve your prints far more than another make of enlarger. To slightly paraphrase some famous photographer or other - "If the picture is good enough, then who cares if the equipment is good enough."

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), February 23, 2000.

I've been hearing this argument for several years. I believe that cold light makes more problems than solutions. I have been using an Omega B-8XL, with supplementary condencers and an EL Nikkor 50mm f4 lens. My solution to the "chalk & soot" problem is to overexpose my negs by about 20% and under develop by 20%. (You need to experiment with your system to get the right numbers for you.) Most all of my negatives print through a 2 1/2 or 3 polymax filter with minimal burning and dodging.

-- robert o (rorofino@iopener.net), March 26, 2000.

You must see the ORIENTAL COLD LIGHT ! It is a recent material. She has not the problem of heating the lamp.

-- (pierre.zeler@dcc.laposte.telepost.fr), March 27, 2000.