I'm thinking of getting a new enlarger. Ansel Adams (no less) suggests not using an enlarger for its maximum sized film format since you may find uneven illumination of the negative. Currently I use an old Beseler c67 for 6x7 cm negs (the maximum size for that enlarger)and haven't seen illumination problems.

Has anyone seen this occur?

As you may know, for several brands of enlargers the next size up from 6x7 capable is 4x5 inch capable at about twice the price. So, this isn't (for my bank account, anyway) an academic question only.

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), May 10, 2000

Answers

I'm using a 6x9 enlarger with 6x9 negatives.I doon't see a problem either.I wish I had gotten a 4x5 because I would like to use 4x5 cut film. 4x5 cut film has many choices of film available that are not available in roll film sizes.

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), May 10, 2000.

I hope you don't mid a stupid question: Why do you want to change if you don't see any problems?

The best thing you can do is test your enlarger for even illumination. (And printing with it and not finding problems is such a test, although there may be more sensitive ones.) If illumination appears to be even, why spend money on an enlarger for which no one can guarantee that its illumination is better than that of your current one?

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), May 11, 2000.

Thomas, good points! Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), May 11, 2000.

Thomas -

I was considering a change so as to get access to an enlarger with one of the variable contrast constant exposure heads. Fiddling with the filters by hand is a bit tiresome. But, no, there's nothing wrong with the enlarger I have.

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), May 11, 2000.