Basic Enlargers

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CliveC

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Is there an enlarger equivalent to what the Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 is to 35mm photography? No frills, low cost, easy to operate and plentiful on the used market?

I see enlargers available at camera shows, but I have no idea what is suitable for the beginner or how one even determines functionality.

[Edit] Do most enlargers handle both 120 and 35mm or not? I suspect most of my stuff will be 35mm, but it's nice to have the option.
 
Durst 601's seem to be common and Durst are well made.

What ever you buy be sure it's all there. Make sure it has the negative carrier you need and no other critical pices are missing like a condenser lens.
 
Check out Bessler 23. They made a lot of them, and they are everywhere. Bulbs are readily available, and they are also reliable and sturdy. I've had one since the 1979, and it just keeps on working.
 
Get something with a M39 lens mount. I made the mistake to get one without, and had to buy an expensive mounting plate when I wanted to upgrade the lens.
 
I'd say a Durst 605 would be a good choice especially with colour head. Both 35mm and MF you should have the colour head (for VC) and its easy to take apart clean.
 
Beseler 23C. Cheap on CL and actually you can find lens boards and neg carriers reasonable on fleabay if you keep an eye out for them.
 
Most versatile, and my first choice: any version of the Beseler 23C
Most precise: Focomat
Most compact: Durst

I've used a lot of Beseler 23s in pro labs, and they're great--very fast to use and sturdy. My other fave is the Omega D2V, but it's not small. The lighter Omegas are too floppy for my taste. Currently I have a small Durst, which is similar to what I started with in the 60s, and there's nothing wrong with it, but make sure you get all the parts you need with the enlarger, since you'll never find them later.
 
I've been using a Beseler Printmaker 35 for about 10 years, and it's very nice. No frills. However, it will NOT accommodate medium format.

I just acquired an Omega B22, which WILL do medium format. It seems just about as solid as the Beseler. The focus is smoother on the Omega. Also, the Omega did not have a builtin scale to indicate distance of the enlarger head from the baseboard, but I made my own.

I don't disagree with the comments about bulbs. I always keep a spare, because nothing is worse than burning one out, and being dead in the water. They last a long time, but be prepared when they go.

The lens makes more difference than the enlarger, in my opinion. Get the best one(s) you can find.
 
I second the Focomat V35 if you can find one for $100. That would be a great buy. The bulbs have been available, but they are a 12-volt bulb, not 110. Keep in mind you should try to buy locally. That way, you can inspect the enlarger and, at least as important, you won't pay shipping charges that can run to several times the enlarger price.
 
I had a Durst 601 many years ago and did lots of 35mm with it with great reults. I even fooled around with 6x6 on it (but as I only had a cheapo 75mm lens the medium format stuff was never great). But with darkroom stuff dirt cheap (and even given away), a Beseler 23C is certainly a more robust enlarger. It does take up a lot more room and unlike the smaller Durst, it can't be taken down easily and packed away between uses.
 
Omega is much easier to keep aligned than Beseler.

Don't get an enlarger that is difficult to align. The Beselers with the upper and lower bellows are prone to losing alignment.

Focomat great but only 35mm.

Durst great if you can get the bulbs. Durst less common in USA.
 
Here in Europe the old Czech Meopta are plentiful and cheap, and use m39 lenses. I'm not sure if they exported many.
 
I adore my Omega B-22 with the extra long girder. Small, lightweight, takes 35mm and 120 and I paid $85 bucks for mine. I also picked up several 50mm and 90mm enlarging lenses for a song.
 
CliveC said:
Is there an enlarger equivalent to what the Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 is to 35mm photography? No frills, low cost, easy to operate and plentiful on the used market?

I see enlargers available at camera shows, but I have no idea what is suitable for the beginner or how one even determines functionality.

[Edit] Do most enlargers handle both 120 and 35mm or not? I suspect most of my stuff will be 35mm, but it's nice to have the option.
Click to expand...

enlargers are so cheap now there is no reason for a basic enlarger.

Get a focomat from the start.

Stephen
 
Perhaps basic is the wrong word. I wanted something really common, with proven performance, and ease of use. This thread has given me a few things to start looking at.
 
The Focomat Enlargers do look interesting. And I expect they are well made (being Leitz products.) But they are a little pricey on the evil-bay. Mostly in the $300 and up category. By comparison, there are several Beselers under $100.
 
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