Black and white enlarger -- what to buy

If you are based in the US, I'd get a Beseler 23CII (or III). They are incredibly robust and widely used. So not only can you pick up one up for cheap, parts are also plentiful on the used market. I think they were really popular for school darkrooms. Also, they are still in business. I got a brand new 23CII (never opened) for $75 a couple years ago.

If you want new or don't live in the US, I don't know. I really want a Kaiser but can't justify the cost at this point in time.

Get a good lens. The Nikkor 50/2.8 N's are a good buy.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
You know, for 35mm, it's hard to get a bad enlarger.
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I've got to disagree on this one. There are little Omegas and Beselers that are complete junk. With spindly little "column" that just can't stay fast to a cheesy baseboard. Never in alignment no matter what. Good for contact printing at the most.

Even older 23C units can be pretty much shot these days. The rebuild kit is a good idea for most of the blue or grey versions you'd find. And the latest 23C's are not the tanks they were in the 80's. LOTS of cost cutting at Beseler since their heyday. We are slowly replacing all the 23C units in my lab with the comparable LPL models. Far fewer problems than even 4 year old 23C enlargers.
 
zauhar said:
Chris, let me interject - what enlarger would you suggest for B & W and color? I may want to try color work in the future. I definitely want a better enlarger than the simple omega I have, I am getting tired of fiddling with the filter box.

Silas, thanks for starting the thread, I was poised to ask a similar question.

Randy
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Hi Randy, I'm afraid I have no experience of colour printing, but I imagine the colour head (CLS 450) on my Lab 1200 would do the job, although I wonder about fading of the internal colour filters and the accuracy of the calibration dials with these older enlargers. Rather than using the recommended combinations of the colour filters for B&W grades, I prefer to use Ilford multigrade filters under the lens - much easier and quicker for me. And, as Roger and others have indicated, it really depends on where you are as some excellent enlargers (such as Durst) were not well represented in some markets. Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone -- This is a load of really useful info (debate included!)

I will certainly report back on what we get... The quest begins

S
 
I use an Omega D5-XL, I have 35mm 6x4.5 and 6x6 trays. Very capable, and the tension system in its base makes moving the enlarger up and down a breeze.

I got mine in its original box, 2 lenses, and 3 trays for free on eBay classifieds 3 years ago. Luckily it was only 20 minutes away from my house.

I see at least one a week pop up on the local craigslist, typically for free and never over 50$

It shouldnt be to hard to find a nice one! Goodluck on your search!
 
Whatever you get, put a Nikon lens on it and you'll be set. Also, depends on how large you want to print. I used to have an Omega Chromega with a color head that I used for black and white printing. The light is distributed very evenly, but I liked the punch of condenser and replace the cromega one with an Omega D6. Still use it and love it (with a nikon lens). Then, I saw a good deal on a Leitz V35 and use it also. It's a great piece of gear, really well thought out. I don't think I get better results from it than from the D6, but printing is a bit faster because of the built-in filters. And, it's very pleasant to work with, everything is tight ans smooth, just like using an M to take photos.
 
As Roma has raised the matter, what do people think of the diffusion type versus the condenser type? I haven't used the condenser type, but I've been very happy with the diffusion type Durst I use. I get good sharp prints (at 8x10 - all I print at this stage). And I've found that I can get good prints even from negs that show up marks and scratches when scanned digitally. By that I mean that the diffusion enlarger seems quite forgiving of imperfect negs, yet it still gives a sharp print that is fairly clean (without the marks). I've read that a condenser-type enlarger can give sharper prints, yet be less forgiving with imperfect negs. Does anyone use both?
 
B-9 said:
I use an Omega D5-XL, I have 35mm 6x4.5 and 6x6 trays. Very capable, and the tension system in its base makes moving the enlarger up and down a breeze.

I got mine in its original box, 2 lenses, and 3 trays for free on eBay classifieds 3 years ago. Luckily it was only 20 minutes away from my house.

I see at least one a week pop up on the local craigslist, typically for free and never over 50$

It shouldnt be to hard to find a nice one! Goodluck on your search!
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How about the omega pro-lab ? There is one in apparently good condition available in my area on Craigslist .

Thanks!

Randy
 
patrickjames said:
Looks like the OP may have found a good starter enlarger.

These threads come up quite often and almost everyone jumps on the bandwagon for the Beseler 23c probably because that is the one they are used to, but they really aren't very good enlargers. You won't know this until you actually use a really good enlarger like an LPL, Durst, Kienzle, etc. I don't know one serious photographer that still uses a 23c. I know lots of people who used to use one and were happy to move on, after they moved on. Enlargers are pretty cheap, even for the best ones.

Whatever enlarger you get, if you are serious about the quality of the print then get a glass negative carrier and a laser alignment tool.

As far as lenses go, there are a lot of them out there. As a general rule, avoid any lens that isn't 6 elements. Until you can appreciate the difference any run of the mill (my opinion) six element Componon-s, Nikkor, Rodagon etc. will do. If you want to get serious then you should be using an APO lens at least. The best lenses that are reasonably available are the APO Componon-HM and Rodagon-Ns. If you can find a Minolta CE Rokkor-X, a Fujinon-EX or a Computar go with them as they are better than the run of the mill ones but still cost about the same. There are special lenses that are even better but they are difficult to find and very expensive. It isn't worth it for the hobbyist. Most of the people I know who are serious printers use either the APO Componon-HMs or the Apo Rodagon-N lenses for what that is worth.

Randy- The Omegas are better than the Beselers but they have a reputation for not staying in alignment. If you are just getting started though, and get a good deal on one then go for it. It is a hell of a lot better than the 23c. You can always look for a better one later if you decide you need to move up. Or keep an alignment tool handy to check it.

Chris, to answer your question of diffusion vs. condernser- diffusion enlargers are easier to use, especially if you don't like retouching prints. Condenser enlargers are sharper in my experience though. The ultimate sharp enlarging light source for an enlarger is a point light condenser. Durst has one available for your enlarger if you ever want the sharpest prints. You will spend all day retouching them though. Some enlargers have a sort of hybrid system. I have a Saunders 4550xl and the mixing box for 35mm has a condenser in it. It provides better sharpness and shorter exposures but also keeps the retouching down since the light source is so large as a result of the mixing box.

Most importantly of all, if you make good photographs no one else will care about any of the above. Oh so true.
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Absolutely! What amuses me is when obsessives attack lenses such as the ones I use -- Focotar and Computar -- because they aren't perfect. Well, no, they're not. But we're back to my old hobby-horse, the quality threshold. Below the quality threshold, yes, a better enlarging lens will give you better prints. Above the quality threshold, the only way to get better prints is to be a better photographer and (above all) a better printer.

Right now we're preparing our fourth exhibition in three months, all at small, local venues, for fun. It occurs to me that if you do it for fun, and get famous later, it's probably more agreeable than struggling for fame before you're really ready. And it can take quite a long time to get ready...

Cheers,

R.
 
Ed Weatherly said:
I recently picked up a Beseler 23c with negative carrier, developing trays, timer, lens, as well as film developing stuff for free. I also got about 20 developing trays and easels, safe light, beakers, and chemical jugs for $40. I am VERY happy with this enlarger and equipment - it is near mint. It works for my 35mm and 6 x 6 work up to about 19 x 19 inches.

i suspect you can probbaly find the same kind of deals if you search around a little. Some people want lots of money for enlargers but if you keep looking, there are great deals to be had!

Good luck!
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what happens after 19x19? Is the 23CII inadequate for this ?
 
How much should I pay for that focomat 1c? Is the leica lens a real improvement over the nikon 2.8 I have with my 23c? The autofocus really appeals to me as I don't see that well in the dark and I found one near from where I live on sale...
 
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