click
Established
Where can I get one? Where do they live? Are other easels just as good? I tend to out my trust in brands I recognize for quality. Have you had firsthand experience with this easel?
Thank you,
Click
Thank you,
Click
16"x12" 40x30cm Leitz Leica Easel?
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dap
Established
Are you interested in the 2 blade or 4 blade model?
Once in a great while you will see a 12x16" leitz two blade go for sale on ebay for serious money (hundreds). I have never seen a 12x16" leitz 4 blade easel for sale ever.
I have owned a leitz 8x10" 2 blade and 4 blade. They are nice but not that much better than a standard beard/saunders/etc (depending on where you live different brands will be more common than others).
I wouldn't spend much of a premium just to get the leitz (unless you have you heart set on one).
Once in a great while you will see a 12x16" leitz two blade go for sale on ebay for serious money (hundreds). I have never seen a 12x16" leitz 4 blade easel for sale ever.
I have owned a leitz 8x10" 2 blade and 4 blade. They are nice but not that much better than a standard beard/saunders/etc (depending on where you live different brands will be more common than others).
I wouldn't spend much of a premium just to get the leitz (unless you have you heart set on one).
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I have a 2 blade Leica easel that will handle the 12x16 and a couple of the small 4 blade easels for 8x10 (cast alloy - the latest version - made sometime in the late 70's).
The 2 blade easel is good and it does have the slots for locking it down on a Focomat base board. This is nice as it will prevent the easel from shifting. They are heavy duty - built for production operations (newspapers, magazines, ad-papers were you printed to final images size - and needed to do it quickly).
My 12x16 is used on a Focomat IIc, mainly for 120 negatives (Rollei/Bessa III). For 11x14 prints from 35mm with the Focomat Ic I prefer a Saunders Pro-line 4 blaed easel on a 1" base. It is just as good as the large leica easel - and easier to find.
The Leica 12x16/16x20 4 bladed easel is even scarcer - but it is way to clumsy to use if you ever want to change image ratio - the blade are bit thin and tend to flex - and they go out of " square" easily.
On the Saunders 11x14 and 16x20 easels you can easily adjust and square up the 4 blades - and they tend to stay that way for a while.
If you check around on E-Bay and other auction sites (even Craigs List) - you might find something. If you are using a Focomat (Ic/IIc) - be sure to get the 1" base version. They are heavy enough to stay in place.
Another brand that I have used is Chicago Easels. Built like the proverbial brick - massive blades that would flatten even curly, heavy based 16x20 sheets and keep them flat. The 4 blades felt like they were made from truck-springs!!!!
Most of the larger easels made by Saunders. Leica and Chicago were intended for production facilities/graphic arts places and are usually "well used" to say the least.
The good thing is that a solid, well built easel is a one time investment - and will probably outlast you! It also makes the difference between getting increasingly frustrated in the darkroom or getting on with printing.
I tried the Kostiner easel some years ago - drove me nuts!! Nothing ever was square - the blades "flopped" around and would not stay in place.
The biggest problem with a big easel is simply the weight. They have to be heavy - the 1" base is not flimsy! Size is substantial and shipping a purchase could end up costing you more than the easel!
Also beware. if all you are printing is 11x14/12x16 it is fine - but if you are also printing a fair amount of 8x10 or even smaller - the bigger easel is a pain. You have postage stamp piece of paper on a large surface and the blades tangle up as you crop down.
In short, go for a 4 blade easel (more control) for the larger print sizes and also a good quality 2 - or preferably 4 blade for 8x10 sized prints. If you can find the small, heavy all metal Leica easel - it is a thing of beauty for 8x10 - and get a Saunders/Chicago for the larger size.
For some reason I remember that the small, all metal Leica 8x10 easel was listed in their catalogue in the late 70's for $700!!!!!!!. I suspect that I payed about $500 for mine and then I found another one at a swap-meet for about $50 (Bless the ignorants!) in the late 80's. Hence two - and both are used all the time for proofing.
The 2 blade easel is good and it does have the slots for locking it down on a Focomat base board. This is nice as it will prevent the easel from shifting. They are heavy duty - built for production operations (newspapers, magazines, ad-papers were you printed to final images size - and needed to do it quickly).
My 12x16 is used on a Focomat IIc, mainly for 120 negatives (Rollei/Bessa III). For 11x14 prints from 35mm with the Focomat Ic I prefer a Saunders Pro-line 4 blaed easel on a 1" base. It is just as good as the large leica easel - and easier to find.
The Leica 12x16/16x20 4 bladed easel is even scarcer - but it is way to clumsy to use if you ever want to change image ratio - the blade are bit thin and tend to flex - and they go out of " square" easily.
On the Saunders 11x14 and 16x20 easels you can easily adjust and square up the 4 blades - and they tend to stay that way for a while.
If you check around on E-Bay and other auction sites (even Craigs List) - you might find something. If you are using a Focomat (Ic/IIc) - be sure to get the 1" base version. They are heavy enough to stay in place.
Another brand that I have used is Chicago Easels. Built like the proverbial brick - massive blades that would flatten even curly, heavy based 16x20 sheets and keep them flat. The 4 blades felt like they were made from truck-springs!!!!
Most of the larger easels made by Saunders. Leica and Chicago were intended for production facilities/graphic arts places and are usually "well used" to say the least.
The good thing is that a solid, well built easel is a one time investment - and will probably outlast you! It also makes the difference between getting increasingly frustrated in the darkroom or getting on with printing.
I tried the Kostiner easel some years ago - drove me nuts!! Nothing ever was square - the blades "flopped" around and would not stay in place.
The biggest problem with a big easel is simply the weight. They have to be heavy - the 1" base is not flimsy! Size is substantial and shipping a purchase could end up costing you more than the easel!
Also beware. if all you are printing is 11x14/12x16 it is fine - but if you are also printing a fair amount of 8x10 or even smaller - the bigger easel is a pain. You have postage stamp piece of paper on a large surface and the blades tangle up as you crop down.
In short, go for a 4 blade easel (more control) for the larger print sizes and also a good quality 2 - or preferably 4 blade for 8x10 sized prints. If you can find the small, heavy all metal Leica easel - it is a thing of beauty for 8x10 - and get a Saunders/Chicago for the larger size.
For some reason I remember that the small, all metal Leica 8x10 easel was listed in their catalogue in the late 70's for $700!!!!!!!. I suspect that I payed about $500 for mine and then I found another one at a swap-meet for about $50 (Bless the ignorants!) in the late 80's. Hence two - and both are used all the time for proofing.
click
Established
Thank you for your replies,
The weakest part of my system is my easel. I have one of those premier combo things that is far from square, moves everytime I open it and is unworthy of a public school darkroom. I got it for five bucks so I can't complain but I look forward to hitting it with a hammer. I know where I can get an 8x10 leitz easel for $100 bucks so I'll jump on it.
Despite my subpar easel I'm thrilled at the prints I'm making, they're better than I ever imagined they would be.
Thanks for all your valuable guidance,
Click
The weakest part of my system is my easel. I have one of those premier combo things that is far from square, moves everytime I open it and is unworthy of a public school darkroom. I got it for five bucks so I can't complain but I look forward to hitting it with a hammer. I know where I can get an 8x10 leitz easel for $100 bucks so I'll jump on it.
Despite my subpar easel I'm thrilled at the prints I'm making, they're better than I ever imagined they would be.
Thanks for all your valuable guidance,
Click
Ronald M
Veteran
I have 12x16 white base Leitz which is a gem.
Also a 16x20 white base Leitz. Built like a tank, but the paper positioning arms are from 1932 design of the wood base Leitz. In other words, it is easy to put paper in crooked
The 12x16 has nice vertical ones paper stops that are long enough to keep the paper square and they retract clamping the paper as you close the easel. Like I say, a real gem. This one is worthy of the Leitz name.
Buy a v track sanders from B&H. Probably the best you can do today.
Also a 16x20 white base Leitz. Built like a tank, but the paper positioning arms are from 1932 design of the wood base Leitz. In other words, it is easy to put paper in crooked
The 12x16 has nice vertical ones paper stops that are long enough to keep the paper square and they retract clamping the paper as you close the easel. Like I say, a real gem. This one is worthy of the Leitz name.
Buy a v track sanders from B&H. Probably the best you can do today.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Ronald, I had the 16x20 easel - and the blades are as crooked as most of our politicians - they also flop a lot! The retractable pins were nice (though if you were sloppy - they would punch holes through the paper!).
I traded it of for a 11x14 and a 16x20 Saunders with i" base. Kept the 12x16 as that one works reasonably well for 11x14 and once clamped down, stays in place.
I traded it of for a 11x14 and a 16x20 Saunders with i" base. Kept the 12x16 as that one works reasonably well for 11x14 and once clamped down, stays in place.
dap
Established
I will second the Saunders V-track recommendation...They are awesome. I retired my 4 blade leitz in favor of a Salthill (the salthill makes the leitz look underdesigned - they are outstanding). The 2 blade leitz got dropped in favor of a 2 blade Photon Beard (an common brand in England) The Beard and Leitz 2 blade easels are equal in my eyes.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I have both the all metal 24 x 18 cm and the wooden 45 x 35 cm easels from Leitz, both from the early sixties. The big wooden easel has been built for over 50 years or so, but it is very rare due to it's very high price when bought new. It was in the Netherlands more expensive than a Leica body. When you know how to handle it, it works extremely fine. When printing gelatine-silver paper it is just great as it holds the paper very flat. It couples of course to the locking system of the Focomats. It can be set for very broad boards on the prints - about 5 cm I think, wich is often very useful when printing the full frame of both 35 mm and 120 film negatives. It is the best easel you can get - if you can find one.
Erik.
Erik.
Last edited:
Roger Hicks
Veteran
All Leica easels are unbelievably rare -- I've only ever seen a handful -- and the bigger they are, the rarer. Another vote for Beard (we have two, 2-blade and 4-blade).
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
kmallick
Well-known
I like this thread and all the good advice.
I have been searching for Saunders V-Track easels. It seems they don't make them anymore, not even the slim type. Bummer!
I have been searching for Saunders V-Track easels. It seems they don't make them anymore, not even the slim type. Bummer!
Vickko
Veteran
Frankly I'm thrilled to see an enthusiastic discussion on darkroom easels, in April 2011.
I saw a very young man today, with a Pentax K1000 and I told him that I'm glad to see someone shooting film.
Vick
I saw a very young man today, with a Pentax K1000 and I told him that I'm glad to see someone shooting film.
Vick
skibeerr
Well-known
I am very happy with my DUNCO four blade for up to 30x40 cm and a saunders with slots and four blades for up to 8"x10"
I have got one massive 2 blade beard for up to 50x60 cm which comes out occasionally.
Of these three I like the Saunders best.
I have got one massive 2 blade beard for up to 50x60 cm which comes out occasionally.
Of these three I like the Saunders best.
click
Established
I ended up with a Saunders V-track and I'm amazed at the difference it has made. I found a Leica easel for $20 but the surface wasn't flat. Thanks for all the valuable insights.
Click
Click
Tim Gray
Well-known
Just for posterity, I've heard that the Kaiser easels (still made) are pretty nice easels. I have a V-track though, the 11x14 one.
MartinP
Veteran
I'll second the Beard easel (there are probably different models though). I used one for work for years and now have a second-hand one for 16"x20". Those were/are two-blade models. For 12"x16" or smaller I'm using a three-blade Ahel easel, though the same design is/was sold under different labels. That works nicely and the retractable pin system makes it very adaptable - you automagically have the paper in the middle of the easel, same-ish comfort level as the 4-blade design.
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