Im considering purchasing a new 670 CXL enlarger by Saunders. Im only wanting to do B&W enlargements and this will be my first Enlarger. Any opinions on this equipment as to overall quality? Im shooting both 35mm and 6x7 film, what focal length of lense should I use for these? my largest enlargments will most likely be 16x20 but mostly 8x10 and 11x14. Any other items I need for this enlarger and what would you suggest? Any Suggestions or tips are verry much welcomed. Thanks

-- Mark (mark4583@aol.com), November 21, 2001

Answers

I usually use a Beseler 23CII but since my photoclub just acquired a 670CXL, I tried it for 3 or 4 times and like it a lot. Very stable, well built and has more even illumination than the 23CII I used. I dislike the height adjuster which is less precise and smooth than the Beseler. It is easier to change lenses on the lenseboard of the Saunders. For 35mm you should stay with a 50mm lense and a 80 or 105 lense for 6x7. I am considering in the near future to get a Durst but my second choice would be a Saunders... I don't know yet!

-- Toan Nguyen (toan.nguyen@videotron.ca), November 22, 2001.

I have been using a 670CXL for 12 years and it is a great enlarger. I use schneider 50mm and 100mm lenses for 35 and 6x7 formats. My only complaint is that when it is humid (always humid here in the south) the small amount of moisture held by the negative actually condenses on the lower surface of the condenser lens that it sits under. (Is that why they call it a condenser?) The heat of the bulb is quite close to the negative carrier. So, what I have to do is wave the negative under a warm light bulb for a moment just to drive off that small amount of moiture. I don't have this problem with my D2V since the negative carrier is quite a distance form the heat of the enlarger bulb.

Ricardo.

-- ricardo (ricardospanks1@yahoo.com), November 22, 2001.