Basic Enlargers

[shadowfox]

My most used one now is the Fujimoto for both 35mm and medium format.
It's as precise and as sturdy as I need.
Plus it's compact.

Really a big step up from the wobbly and uneven Vivitar 365 that I used before.

 

[PRJ]

Considering that a sheet of 8x10 is roughly a dollar (or more) you aren't saving any money by going cheap. Skip the Beselers and Omegas. Try to find a Durst or a Saunders if you want to do medium format. A Focomat, any version, would be really good too. I have a Saunders 4x5 but I would still like to get a V35 for the heck of it.

Whatever you buy, alignment is everything. Get a laser alignment tool. A great lens and hopefully a glass negative carrier will maximize the quality for you. Do these things and your prints will be pretty damn good from the get go.

 

[clayne]

23C is de facto.

I use a DeVere 504 and a Kaiser 6x9, personally.

 

[sepiareverb]

Beware the 23C. I run a college lab darkroom, and we have a mix of 23C and LPL670 machines, 14 total. We did have all 23C units about ten years ago. We get a lot of equipment donated, and I see a lot of 23C units of every vintage. The older, blue or grey models are usually in terrible condition and more trouble then they are worth. Likewise 23C models from ten years ago, for quality control has slipped dramatically. I've not any experience with a brand new one since being bitten on two in about 2005 (college lab darkroom) which have been no end of trouble. Switched to the LPL 670, and are replacing the Beselers as we can afford to.

The 23C models from the 80's through the 90's that are black can be worthwhile, but as stated above the 23C and the 45M are a bear to keep aligned - if you are willing to align an enlarger regularly, and don't mind shelling out for the rebuild kit (and the three or four hours to rebuild and realign).

 

[Lawrence A.]

I worked for years in custom photo labs, mostly with 4x5 and bigger enlargers, but I never liked Beselers. Durst and Omega were my preference. The B22 is a nice outfit, but make sure the condensers are not scratched. I have a Chromega B Dichroic as a small enlarger and like it a lot. The bulbs are available and the color head will allow you to work with variable contrast papers quite easily. Otherwise the B22 with a cold light. I just never did much like condenser enlargers.

 

[Landshark]

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?

[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.

AE-1 & K1000 = something like the Beseler 23C or 67C. Omega B22 or their equivalent of a 67C.
Both are usable and generally, durable. The 23C will handle negative up to 6X9, the 6X7's (either brand) up to 6X7, and the B22 up to 6X6.
They both are abundant on the used market.

Durst 601 & similar will be 6X6 machines and sometimes parts can be difficult to get ahold of.
Focomat IC and V35 are 35mm only and the earlier V35 has to have the lamp socket and lamp updated. The Focomat IIC handles up to 6X9 are in most cases pretty costly but if you're willing to use elbow grease can be had inexpensively.

The other european models can be very good but I'm unfamiliar with access to bits & pieces here in NA

 

[Nokton48]

I bought an Omega B22 brand new for around $75 back in the 1970's and never had a bit of trouble with it. Great enlarger.

Now I have an old Omega D2 I had a friend rebuild for me, and I'm just as happy with that.
I needed something that would do all sizes of rollfilm as well as 4x5. Also a Great enlarger.
All sorts of parts and accessories have been cheap and easy for me to find over the years.

Last camera show I was at, there was a D2 on the auction block, in decent shape, that was offered to me by the owner at no cost! Didn't take it as already have everything I need and don't need to take up more storage space in my darkroom. He told me it was going to the landfill.

 

[presspass]

Another option is the Saunders/LPL. Sturdy, the bigger one will do up to 4x5, heads are available, and, best of all, they don't require alignment.

 

[clcolucci58]

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 too have a Printmaker 35 I got on eBay and bought a medium format kit which was two large condensers and I bought a 75mm lens both from B&H and a negative carrier for 6x4.5 from eBay

 

[rodinal]

My most used one now is the Fujimoto for both 35mm and medium format.
It's as precise and as sturdy as I need.
Plus it's compact.

+1 for the Fujimoto.
Simple, compact, economic, common PH212 bulb, 35mm and 6x6, 39mm lens thread, drawer for VC filters.

BTW, the Durst 605 doesn't need the color head to handle VC, it has a filter drawer too. The B/W head uses PH212 bulbs also. This is also an excellent choice, but more complex than the Fujimoto.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2183709#post2183709

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2183709#post2183709

The Durst for me, the best!
One main reason, is the design and shape.
I know it has nothing to do with quality, which they have,
but working with a good tool makes life nicer.
The fact that Durst is easy to pack away.
The 601/605 series are easy to pack away and re-instal as needed.
I enjoyed the moving masking frames.
Allowed a black border around my photos.
The very compact, 35mm "Reporter/Newporter/300
series i used for years all over the world..
Bulbs are easily obtainable*.
The Leitz ones may be more difficult.
*Bulbs I tried out the "new" new energy saving 40W.
There is almost no heat.It pushes the contrast right up.
Color filtering seems in order.They are way brighter than
the old incandescent bulbs.
Opemus made good enlargers.

 

[L. M. Tu]

I have a Beseler 45 and an Omega D2V and I've gotten good results from both of them, but, if I had to choose between them, I would keep the Omega and give the Beseler away. Omegas are easier to align, and Omega owners enjoy a great source of parts and advice in Harry Taylor at www.classic-enlargers.com.

 

[ZeissFan]

If you get an Omega D series, you can just add lenses as your photography grows. And if you expand into 4x5, you'll be ready. The Omega D enlargers are sturdy and built to last a lifetime (or four).

Plus, there were tons of them sold, so accessories such as lens boards, negative carriers and counterbalance springs are simple to find.

 

[Uncle Fester]

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.

I second the B-22. Should be relatively easy to find one at a decent price, parts, accessories and are are not scarce and they use an easy to find PH-111a bulb.

If you're lucky you might even find one that has a 50 or 75mm Kodak Enlarging Ektar lens included. If it comes with the infamous El Cheapo EL-Omegar or Voss lenses, save the lensboards and mounting rings to use with any good lens that has a m39 thread.

Give the cheap EL-Omegar or Voss lens to someone you really hate, or keep 'em to use for setting insects on fire. 😛

 

[Uncle Fester]

If yer a masochist, the Beseler 23C may be just the enlarger for you!!!

 

[Pioneer]

I use my Beseler 45 for medium format and 4x5 and I like it. It was a PITA to get aligned but it has not needed much attention since. It is heavy so will likely cost you more to ship then buy so if you can find one locally you are way ahead.

For 35 I did use the Beseler but recently got my Focomat V35 running and I cannot recommend it strongly enough if you shoot primarily 35mm. I wish I had started with this. It is a bit pricey but completely worth it in my mind.

I just picked up an 8x10 enlarger locally so that is my next project. This one was the least expensive of the bunch. It uses wooden negative holders so once I get it set up I may build some medium format and 4x5 negative holders and sell the Beseler. But probably not since I don't think I am all that interested in wrapping that monster up for shipping.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I use my Beseler 45 for medium format and 4x5 and I like it. It was a PITA to get aligned but it has not needed much attention since. It is heavy so will likely cost you more to ship then buy so if you can find one locally you are way ahead.

For 35 I did use the Beseler but recently got my Focomat V35 running and I cannot recommend it strongly enough if you shoot primarily 35mm. I wish I had started with this. It is a bit pricey but completely worth it in my mind.

I just picked up an 8x10 enlarger locally so that is my next project. This one was the least expensive of the bunch. It uses wooden negative holders so once I get it set up I may build some medium format and 4x5 negative holders and sell the Beseler. But probably not since I don't think I am all that interested in wrapping that monster up for shipping.

What 8x10 enlarger did you get?

 

[BW400CN]

At school we had a Durst B30 so I got the same at home and now when I rebuild a darkroom I bought one again. Very basic very simple but still good working. I have the Durst factory just arround the corner (Innsbruck-Brixen ca. 50km) and you still get some help from them!

 

[wakarimasen]

Are some brands more predominate in Europe or North America?

How does the Durst B30 rate?

 

[blackwave]

Some have said it, but I'll reiterate that the Beslers are a pain in the booty to align. I have a 45 I've had for a long time, but it took a while to get it dialed in correctly. Lots of frustration and canned prints happened before I was happy, then once it was set I've left it alone. Nothing is more frustrating than thinking all is well, then making a large print and seeing the whole bottom third out of whack. I'll go with another make if I change enlargers at some point.