6x9 enlargers ?

[Screwy]

Ok after lots of browsing the net and generally struggling to find enough information , Whats a good 6x9 enlarger be it a venerable classic or something more modern ?


Paul

 

[rogue_designer]

Bessler 45-MRX is usually a good (relative) bargain. Does 4x5 with ease.

I had a 45V-XL for a while and it was a dream. (Fitted with cold light head for BW printing)

I also like the Omega D2V or D3V

 

[Xmas]

Paul

Another option is to contact print on glossy and scan. Needs less space.

Noel

 

[Branestawm]

The Meopta Magnifax 4 is well worth considering. Handles 35mm up to 6x9 and will take a condenser head with filter drawer or a diffuser head with dial in multigrade settings. Not quite of the calibre of the above mentioned but still a solid piece of kit and you should be able to find one at reasonable price.

Paul

 

[rxmd]

I second the Magnifax. While it's not a Beseler 45 or a Laborator 1200, those are in an entirely different league build-wise and format-wise. You won't get Beselers for 1 EUR on eBay. The Magnifax is a sturdy construction, in the league of quality amateur enlargers for 35mm and medium format. Mine does the job well, I've never been disappointed.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

Focomat 11C.
Does 35 to 6x9.
iIhave an old IFF 4x5 with mf condensor. Got it very cheap and does a great job.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Hi,

Focomat 11C.

Michiel Fokkema

This is one of the best and you can still get spares. But make sure it comes with both Leitz Focotars: 100 and 60mm
Devere 504 with cut 6 x 9cm masks is also very good and virtually indestructable.

 

[ErnestoJL]

I second the Meopta Magnifax.
I have a very old model (ca.1965) and it works perfectly. Newer models should be better and easy to locate at bargain prices.
Most important, get decent lenses (Schneider, Rodenstock or EL-Nikkor). The supplied Meopta Belar does a good job, however the other A/M lenses are better IMHO.

Ernesto

 

[winoto]

i love my recently acquired vintage Kodak Precision enlarger from a fellow member. does 35mm to 6x9cm negatives on glassless/glass carriers. very old but great to use! problem is the difficulty to finding parts/carriers.

 

[Ash]

Or go cheap, get a Gnome Beta II (like me)... it does 6x6 and 6x9 😉

The DeVere 504 is on my wishlist but for its cost I'd sooner turn an old large format camera into an enlarger

 

[Screwy]

Thanks for the reply,s guys , Just need the right enlarger to turn up somewhat locally now . I'm all ready covered for 35mm and 6x6 but it would be a shame to have 6x9 negs and not be able to print them .

Noel I,ll use the contact print/scan route until an enlarger turns up , cheers .

Ash, Gnome beta II ? only seen the beta 35mm and Alpha II,s I,ll have to keep an eye out in the local free papers , seems to be where Gnome enlargers turn up in this neck of the woods 😀




Paul

 

[Ash]

Well the glass-slide neg carrier fits 6x9, so yea you need to check the individual enlarger I think 😉

 

[Screwy]

Vintage Gnome on Eb*y at the moment Film carrier measures 84mmx57mm according to the listing , pretty close to 6x9 , I'll see what it gets to (If anything) if it's cheap I might risk it . It would make a nice darkroom ornament if nothing else 😀



Paul

 

[Ash]

Gnomes are great enlargers, even just for the condensor lens 😉

it's about 8.2x6. I just cut my thumb on my calipers, so i hope that number helps!!!


dont forget about the contax/kiev auction - are you bidding?

 

[Screwy]

Not forgotten Ash , I'm ok to bid if you like or you or Frank can do the honours 😉




Paul

 

[Ash]

If the guy is close enough to pick-up then you can bid if you like, the auction is at a fair time so hopefully we'll be around in the last hour to watch it

 

[gchpaco]

I have two enlargers, an ancient Beseler 23C and a more recent 45MX. I regretted sometimes getting the 23C instead of a 4x5 enlarger at first right up until when I bought the 45MX--it's really quite a lot bigger than the 23C, and if I had to lug the 45MX around in those early formative years I might have given up on the whole thing.

I suggest getting the enlarger that's close to you and cheap. I like my Beselers, in some ways more than the Omegas I've also worked with, but there's nothing really wrong with either one. I've heard good things about Meoptas, Dursts, Saunders, Leica's Focomats, pretty much everything that had a name I recognized that's on the market. I expect in these late days that most anything still around that can handle 6x9 is probably fine (although particular examples may be in poor physical condition!).

 

[ghost]

where did you all get the meopta magnifaxes?

 

[Screwy]

Well after the recommendations in this thread , I've managed to save a DeVere 54 cold cathode enlarger from a trip to the rubbish tip , thanks a lot guys .

And the wifes away in New York for 4 days , so I can sneak it home and she will be none the wiser 😀


Paul

 

[Nachkebia]

You are talking about DeVere 504 Digital Enlarger, right?