Durst 606 - any good?

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Hi -

As part of my "analog plan" (shoot b&w-shoot medium format-develop and print myself) I want to set up wet darkroom. I have to confess I am totally new to this wet printing thing, have never done it before. Now, I have an option to buy Durst 606 with Componon 35mm, 50mm and 75mm + timer for a grand sum of $80. I'd like enlarger to work with 35mm, 6x4.5 and go to 30x40cm (excuse me if I am talking nonsense and feel free to correct me - even in the part "I'd like to").
What is your experience with Durst 606? Will it fill the bill?

 

[Livesteamer]

It's probably a good deal. I've never used that Durst but for years I used a smaller Durst M301 and it served well. I would use it still but I got a Beseler 4x5 enlarger free recently. If you are patient, you might find even better deals. Good Luck. Wet darkrooms are the best. Joe

 

[dfoo]

I have newly acquired a Durst 601 which I'm currently quite happy with. The 606 is an older model. For 35mm you'll want the 50mm lens, and 75mm will also work for medium format, so as long as the enlarger is intact it should fit the bill. Make sure it has the negative holder with the correct masks, the condensers are in place and not chipped up, and the mirror isn't broken, the lenses are not full of fungus and you get the correct lens boards. You should make sure the enlarger generally works (head goes up and down smoothly, focus works, etc).

For enlarging you'll also need a easel, trays, safelight, paper, chemicals, and so on 🙂

 

[bsdunek]

I have had my 606 for more than 40 years and would not give it up. Check the items as dfoo says. Additionally, be sure you have the correct lensboards. If it comes with those three lenses, you probably do.
You can use the plain glass negative holder as the stage has blades which mask off from the edges. Glassless holders are better as there are two less surfaces to collect dust. If you need one you can't find, they're easy to make from sheet aluminum and some flat back paint. That's how I printed Minox negatives until I got Dad's Minox enlarger.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Al Kaplan]

It's a well made enlarger. If the Componons are in good shape they're worth more than you're paying for the whole set-up.

 

[Kinch]

The 606 is a good enlarger, but I don't like glass negative carriers. Still, at that price, with all those Componons, is a deal. I've owned and used a number of Durst enlargers, including the 606, with good results.

 

[Joao]

...Additionally, be sure you have the correct lensboards.

Another Durst 606 future user here - I'm slowly trying to rebuild an old one, it's almost ready. Now the difficult question : which lensboard(s) would you recommend for Rodenstock Rogonar 50 mm and 75 mm lenses ?
Thanks in advance
Joao