Enlargers for limited space

[imush]

Now that I moved to a new apartment, I am seriously considering printing at home. We finally have an extra bathroom; my plan is to put some board over the bathtub for trays, and get some sort of heavy duty utility cart so that the enlarger can be rolled in and out and stored in a closet.

New enlargers are out of question; not only they are a waste of money, but it seems they don't even make them as strong as they used to anymore. So I look on craigslist, and the most common models there are Beseler 23Cxx, Beseler 67c and Durst M60x. There are also Omegas, and I do not know much about them. There are more exotic makes, but these are probably not a good idea since the parts will be hard to find.

My requirements are b&w only, for negatives up to 6x7, prints up to 11x14. In reality, I only do 35mm right now, but am looking at getting Pentax 67 or Rolleiflex in future. 6x7 rules out Durst, which is seems to be more compact but can only do 6x6 (do I understand that correctly).

So what is your advice between Beseler 67c and 23c? 23Cxx is the most common model, but it is heavier and has a larger footprint in the closet. Is the extra weight worth it? Also, perhaps you can recommend some Omega models with similar specifications. The model must also be such that replacement light heads are available (I am not yet biased toward either of VC or condenser heads, back in Russia there was no VC paper when I last had a darkroom).

 

[retro]

Now that I moved to a new apartment, I am seriously considering printing at home. We finally have an extra bathroom; my plan is to put some board over the bathtub for trays, and get some sort of heavy duty utility cart so that the enlarger can be rolled in and out and stored in a closet.

This is exactly what I do. I have a wheeled A/V cart complete
with AC outlets with a Beseler 23C on it. Works fine.

 

[Edward C. Zimmermann]

my plan is to put some board over the bathtub for trays, and get some sort of heavy duty utility cart so that the enlarger can be rolled in and out and stored in a closet.

If you are going to wheel something about the limiting factor is really the space in the closet.

Instead of the trays I'd strongly suggest a Nova processor or a Jobo Duolab. They take up less room and reduce your set-up time to nothing. Many people have their machines on roller carts--- in my (dedicated) darkroom my large Nova is on a printer cart so that I can move it about and not take up any of my table space.

 

[Chris101]

I have a Bessler 23. It's leaning forward construction keeps all the parts within the rectangle of the base's footprint - that is, nothing sticks out. This makes it quite a bit of enlarger for little space. I also use Omega LPLs. The stick out the back, so you need to allow for a few inches behind the base.

For use, I prefer the Bessler, but the LPL is pretty dang nice as well.

 

[TheHub]

I have very limited space - just my shower room. Though it won't do anything other than 35mm, I went with the LPL 3301D. It's very small, yet does up to 8x10 prints.

 

[imush]

I have very limited space - just my shower room. Though it won't do anything other than 35mm, I went with the LPL 3301D. It's very small, yet does up to 8x10 prints.

I don't want to commit myself to 35mm only; in fact, I am inclined to acquire some MF camera within a year or two; whether it will be a Rolleiflex or Pentax 67 is an entirely different matter, but to keep it safe I want an enlarger that can do 6x7 and yet be relatively portable (e.g. fit on an 18x24 utility cart).

 

[imush]

This is exactly what I do. I have a wheeled A/V cart complete
with AC outlets with a Beseler 23C on it. Works fine.

I like steel wire shelving; it is adjustable, durable and I can have a couple of shelves for chemistry and accessories below the enlarger. I hope the enlarger will fit on 18x24 standard wire shelf with a piece of wood as lining.

It seems that 23C will stick out just a bit, which is probably acceptable.

 

[tj01]

If it opens up possibilities, a room with black out curtains and doing it at night might be more comfortable. Even if it means running out for running water. You can do perhaps say 10 prints in batches and wash outside.
I would say just get the best enlarger you see out there, with lensboard and negative holder and condenser all intact. Spend some money on the lens and go from there. If you are on the budget, perhaps get the best 85mm you can afford. This should get you started on 35mm and 6x7 for printing 8x10. Sometimes the enlarger finds you, rather than u find it.

 

[dimkasta]

I just finished setting up mine. I placed it on an IKEA computer desk. Moves around really easily and does not take too much space either.

 

[retro]

I remember at one time Freestyle sold a nifty little enlarger that
folded up to a quite small package, about the size of a suitcase.
They sold them for about $250 at that time but evidently didn't sell
many of them and I got one for about $50 at one of their parking
lot sales (which I don't think they do anymore). Anyway, i never
used it and sold it some time ago. It was made by Durst. I don't
recall the model name/number. It was for 35mm only.

 

[sepiareverb]

I'll chime in for one of the LPL 67 versions. Compact, and simple. Beseler build quality has dropped like a stone over the last few years- in our gang darkroom here we've stopped getting Beseler and are transitioning to the LPL. The VC models are a delight. The Kaiser seems quite similar to the LPL, tho in the US I think the LPL are easier to get. I'd suggest heading down to B&H and taking a look at what they have on the floor- last time I was there they had a selection to look at. (that was a while ago...)

 

[imush]

I'd suggest heading down to B&H and taking a look at what they have on the floor- last time I was there they had a selection to look at. (that was a while ago...)

Been there, they no longer show enlargers on the floor, you can only order them. Only last year they were there, but that was before I was looking. That is the problem these days -- you can no longer go anywhere and feel how they are made. I've seen large ones in rental or student darkrooms, but none of the smaller "domestic" models.

The Omega C700 will handle negatives up to 6x7. I store mine in a small closet between uses in my bathroom-darkroom.

So, how do you like it? its main appeal is that it is cheap (even new), and it is the smallest thing that can do 6x7. Also, it is currently still in production, so parts are available. My only concern is, as I said, I can no longer go to B&H and "feel" the build quality.


The next size Omega offering is LPL C6600/D6700. It looks more sturdy, and size may be still acceptable.

Can anybody explain why the VC model can do 6x7 but the condenser can only house 6x6? LPL site seems to indicate that the only difference is in the light source.

Is this 6700/6600 the same model as the former LPL 67 (i.e. interchangeable in terms of neg carriers, lamphouses)?

 

[imush]

...Sometimes the enlarger finds you, rather than u find it.

So it did. Behold a proud owner of a relatively clean Saunders LPL 670XL, condenser version (aka LPL 7700 or Omega LPL 670CXL). Found it on Craigslist; the owner had a brief interest in printing 10 years ago and used it perhaps 5 times then, but later decided to become a steady source of revenue for Canon. A 35mm glassless carrier came with it, along with a nice bonus 11x14 print washer (these print washers cost ridiculous money these days, I would never think of buying one). Only the lens is missing, but 50mm lenses are easy to find.

The machine is a little bigger than what I was looking for, but the column easily detaches from the baseboard with a twist of a knob, so I can store it carefully in a horizontal position in the closet. I like the way it is built except that the access to filter drawer seems a bit complicated. I am used to large Omegas where you just open a door and put your filter in. Here you need to lift up the front and take out the drawer. Perhaps some time, when I use more than one filter on a single multigrade paper print, I shall wish for a VC head. But this is a minor point, at most it will take about 30 extra seconds for some prints.

I need a few other darkroom items and light proof the bathroom before I can print with it, so it will take a while yet for me to get started.

 

[rumbliegeos]

I had similar luck: obtained an LPL 67 dichroic enlarger off craig's list for $75.00, complete with 6 element lenses for 35mm and medium format. It is the best enlarger I have ever used. I process prints in a bathroom, with the enlarger on the sink vanity, and a small wire rack in the bathtub for processing the paper. The whole setup can be installed and taken down very quickly. I just wish there was a bit more horizontal work surface for cutting paper to size, etc.

 

[Steve M.]

I have a Durst 606 w/ a lens or two that will be for sale. It's a compact, well made enlarger. Shoot me a PM if you're interested and I can send you some pics. Have all the usual trays, timer, etc. We're going to be moving next year and we'd like to ship as little as possible.

 

[imush]

I have a Durst 606 w/ a lens or two that will be for sale. It's a compact, well made enlarger. Shoot me a PM if you're interested and I can send you some pics. Have all the usual trays, timer, etc. We're going to be moving next year and we'd like to ship as little as possible.

Thanks, as you see I am already equipped.

 

[imush]

The 670CXL seems to work well... My only complaint is the awkward access to filter drawer. It is only a big concern when I need sometimes to print with two contrast filters on the same sheet of paper. Of course, we can say that I should never need to do this with well-exposed negatives, but it happens sometimes that a negative wants to [ab]use this feature of multigrade paper.

The front cover does not slide up very easily, and I am afraid to shake the head and column too much and shift the focus while trying to change filters.

Perhaps I could lubricate the door with something? it is plastic rubbing against cast aluminum. Anybody else has thought of this? Or perhaps I am just spoiled by the large Omega D's, where a door opens effortlessly and you throw a new filter in.

 

[tlitody]

too late but even a durst M370 can do 6x7 (if you could find one with the right mixing box and bits). The M670 does 6x7 and so does the modular 70. None of them are what you'd call big and all of them are easily moveable although baseboard is bolted on.

 

[imush]

too late but even a durst M370 can do 6x7 (if you could find one with the right mixing box and bits). The M670 does 6x7 and so does the modular 70. None of them are what you'd call big and all of them are easily moveable although baseboard is bolted on.

Don't get me wrong, I like the enlarger very much, it is only one small quirk. I might also find a used VC head for it later for such cases. Also, the LPLs are still in production and supported.