I am thinking of investing in an enlarger, and would appreciate some advice on which one would suit me. I need to be able to print from negs of 6x7, 6x6 and 35mm sizes (and the ability to accept 6x9 should I decide to use this format would be desirable). A colour head would be great. My usual prints are either 10x8 (inches) or 12x10 (inches), but I'd like to be able to do much bigger prints with a minimum of fuss. It would be useful if the enlarger could be attached to timing devices for making exposures. I guess lens fittings are standard, but in case they're not, I'm intending to use either a Schneider or a Nikon lens. Also, I believe having a double condenser is desirable? Any thoughts/advice? Thanks in advance!

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), March 20, 2001

Answers

I suggest you get a used Omega or Bessler 4x5 enlarger. I made the mistake of getting a 6X9 enlarger and I regret not getting a 4x5. A dichroic color head is convienient for VC paper if you want to use difussion lighting. An "XL" type chassis (ie. extra long girder) comes in handy if you are careful about vibrations at maximum head elevation. You seem to want a condenser lighting system, if that is the case you will have to use vc filters. Make sure that the enlarger you purchase has facilities for above the lens filters. BTW an excellent source for used Omega enlargers is www.classic- enlargers.com. (btw; I'm using an Omega B-8Xl condenser enlarger that was refurbished through classic-enlargers.) You mention Schneider or Nikon enlarging lenses, both are very good but don't forget about Rodenstock which is equal to the Schneiders or EL-Nikkors. Good luck & good printing! RO

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@aol.com), March 20, 2001.

Thanks for the advice Robert! I'm afraid I'm not clear what the relative merits are of diffuser versus condenser systems. I intend to do black & white, but am looking at an enlarger that has a colour head to help with VC paper. Presumably this dispenses with the need for filters? Does this imply using diffuser or condenser?

Also, why do you suggest a 5x4 enlarger? I don't anticipate going above 6x9 (and probably not going beyond 6x7) - is there a benefit in having a 5x4 even if I don't go above medium format?

Thanks again for your help!

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), March 20, 2001.

Very few enlargers let you use a color head in combination with condensors. Beseler 4x5 models are the only ones I know of, and this is a very expensive option. But if you want both simultaneously, this is the way to get it.

If you are stuck on condensors, use of separate VC filters is the least expensive and most practical way to go.

Neither condensors nor diffuse sources are inherently superior, but I think it is easier to get even illumination with diffuse. Condensors give higher contrast with any given negative, but if you tailor your negatives to your light source, this is compensated for. Diffuse light sources somewhat minimize scratches, dust, and other negative imperfections, but this is to a small degree. With condensors, however, any imperfections on the condensors themselves, specifically sratches, will show up in your print. To my way of thinking, with the fine diffuse light sources available today, why would you want to deal with the problems of condensors?

That said, the only common 6x9 enlarger today is the Beseler 23C-III. It offers condensors, diffuce VCCE (variable contrast-constant exposure), or color diffuse head. It is a fine enlarger.

The 4x5 enlargers are an excellent choice if you really plan on using 6x9. And you never know when you might decide to go to 4x5.

Any enlarger will accommodate any lens you want to use, within reason, so you need not be concerned with this.

I prefer Saunders/LPL enlargers, simply beacause of their smooth operation and logical layout. I also like some of the options they offer, like remote focus, and masking negative carriers or stages. Beseler, Omega, and Durst also make fine enlargers, and you really cannot go wrong with any modern versions of these.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), March 20, 2001.

Go for a 4x5 enlarger. If you limit yourself to a 6x9 enlarger you'll shoot yourself when that 4x5 camera falls in to your lap. Seriously consider the largest format you'll likely use. $x5 enlarges are also incredibly large and stable great for sharp enlargements. Like Mr Strack I also own a Saunders 4x5 enlarger( 4500II . I love the thing. Incredible build quality, extremely user friendly, and you can't beat the price. Definetly the biggest bang for the buck. I got mine from B&H but every now and then they pop up on EBAY.

I made a 16x20 b/w print from a 35mm neg recently and talk about sharp. I use Rodenstock lens( I shoot with Rodenstocks on my 4x5 Sinar0 but Schneider and Nikons are fine. There are many good timers available. I used a Gralab 300 for a while, but recently I aquired a Jobo/ Colorstar 3000 color analyzer on Ebay. It allows for precise, .01 second , and repeatable exposure times. Check out this site for an automated exposure system using a Saunders 4x5 enlarger with coupled automatic Dirchroic head and Colorstar 6000 analyzer.Why Saunders won't sell it stateside is anyones guess. It's very interesting. WWW.benboardman.com.au/website/lici/licilpl.htm

Good luck

-- Wil Hinds (ytb@aol.com), March 20, 2001.

One more vote for a 4x5 enlarger. The larger size means that the distance between all the mounting points is greater, thus alignment and stability are better than a smaller enlarger. I'd contend that a 4x5 Omega makes a better 35mm enlarger than most smaller units. IMHO, all the enlargers the world will ever need have already been manufactured! Check the used market and don't be impatient. I've seen condenser D3s go for $10 at auction and I once picked up a perfectly good Bessler 4x5 at the local dump! Of course those are crazy exceptions, but the local camera store often has nice used 4x5 enlargers with color heads in the $400 region. It's very hard to sell an enlarger in this digital age and most dealers are flexible on pricing, at least for the used ones. You'll likely be happy with any of the "big 3" lens brands, though you may be shocked at how much you have to spend on multiple negative carriers and lens cones.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), March 20, 2001.

Ed, If you've got long term projects on B&W, get in mind that buying an enlarger can be an investment for life. Mainly if you can afford a good and solid big enlarger! My both enlargers (Durst L-1000 and 138) are older than me and standing better either. Think twice and hear some good advices above. Have fun!

Cesar B.

-- Cesar Barreto (cesarb@infolink.com.br), March 20, 2001.

Ed...I bought 2 Saunders 670 VCCE enlargers and they are great...a friend is using one now and he says it is every bit as good as his old Zone VI (with the regular not variable head). BUT as good as the 670 VCCE is I'd buy a single 4x5 Saunders with a VCCE head if I had to do it again! You see I want to do 6x9 and the 670 limits me to 6x7. Regardless of what size you buy I can not begin to tell you how good the VCCE system and it's dial in filter system is...PS...I believe the 4x5 VCCE is on sale at Calumet right now.

-- Jim (p645n@hotmail.com), March 21, 2001.

I own a photol lab. I print and print and print...Go for one of the Saunders LPL 4500's series enlargers. You will never regret. It is NICE! Period.

-- PhilDovinh (pdovinh@aol.com), March 23, 2001.