Good enlarger that holds 35 and 6x7 ?

[x-ray]

i used a beseler 23c with fuji enlarging lenses for many years...built like a rock (cliche but true) and the fuji lenses were superb.

You just can't go wrong with the 23C. Solid and precise, perfect for even hard use. You can even put an Aristo cold light in it.

I agree Fuji lenese are at the top. I use. 135mm EX and have never used anything comparable. Schneider, Rodenstock and Nikkor are all fine.

 

[135format]

Do you want cheap second hand or new?

Kaiser still make new enlargers and have a full range available. Something like the VPM 7005

http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=4471

but if you want used then a Durst Modular 70 is an excellent enlarger. There were 3 different heads for it. The B+W head which has an above the lens filter drawer and is a condenser type, the "vario" head for B+W which is the easiest in use and is a diffusion head and the colour head which is diffusion. Any of those 3 heads are good for B+W. I have the colour head and the B+W head and both work fine.

The durst M670 is also a decent B+W enlarger or if you can find one the Durst M805 which does upto 6x9.

I tried an LPL for a short while and thought it was a pile of junk.
I have used Meopta enlargers too. They are what can be described as agricultural but they work OK.
Also tried DeVere 4x5 enlarger but it was knackered so no comment there.
Of all of them the Dursts have the best negative holders which is very important and the modular 70 has a locking knob which locks the head onto the column so it won't shift. Focus could in theory shift but that is true for most enlargers if the friction pad isn't adjusted properly. I find that I can take the neg holder out and then replace it and focus is still spot on with my Modular 70. I also have durst L1200 which is great for bigger negs but bigger than you need and really a bit too big for 35mm. But if one crops up its worth considering if its in good condition.

take a look at the following which shows the last of the durst enlargers before they stopped production. It'll give you a clue of what to look for.

http://darkroom.ru/info/manuals/durst_catalog_eng.pdf

 

[cary]

Can't go wrong with an Omega D2 series, great build quality, strong, a lot were made and parts are easy to find.

 

[johannielscom]

Sorry, none of those will do 6X7 negs
Best regards

Durst masks are highly interchangeable IIRC. Finding the correct mask should not be the biggest challenge, and shipping won't kill the deal either.

Here is a deal (EUR 175) for a Durst M670BW with the 6x7 mask included: http://link.marktplaats.nl/542305248

This kit (complete, EUR 200) currently is 35mm only, but it is fitted with a color head: http://link.marktplaats.nl/548186701

 

[Soeren]

Durst masks are highly interchangeable IIRC. Finding the correct mask should not be the biggest challenge, and shipping won't kill the deal either.

Are you sure? I didn't know that.

Here is a deal (EUR 175) for a Durst M670BW with the 6x7 mask included: http://link.marktplaats.nl/542305248

This kit (complete, EUR 200) currently is 35mm only, but it is fitted with a color head: http://link.marktplaats.nl/548186701

I have a Durst AC707 and I must say that atleast her in Denmark parts are more scarce than Meopta parts though they can be found. So be avare of availability in your region.

And to our friends across the pond. Though Omegas and Bessellers may be great ( I have an Omega D3) they are quite rare in europe as are parts
(cant find the lenscones for 135 and 150mm lenses here)
Best regards

 

[joeswe]

Ill second Roger Hicks suggestion on the Magnifax enlargers especially if one is readily available. The Magnifax is Meoptas largest enlarger, The Opemus goes to 6X6 and the Axomat is 24X36 only.
Best regards

Another vote here for the Meopta Magnifax 4 or 4a! It should not be too difficult to find in Europe. I would stay away from the older models because of the parts situation (they are mostly not interchangeable with the M4/4a, IIRC). But the 4/4a are really nice enlargers that will go up to 6x9 and are available relatively cheap now. For printing multigrade, its advisable to have the color head #3 besides the condensor head, also available cheaply. The color head #4 is newer, but not necessarily better (in fact it has some disadvantages compared to the #3). Get a good lens (Schneider, Nikon or Rodenstock 6 element), they are cheap nowadays.
Fotoimpex in Germany an Nova darkroom in the UK stil have parts for the Magnifax 4/4a available. One notable exception is the 6x9 light box for the color head which is a bit scarce and no longer available new. It was sold out in Germany and I was able to secure the very last one from Nova in the UK. But since you do only 35 and 6x7 you should be fine, the smaller light boxes are still available new.
John

 

[ChrisN]

... durst L1200 which is great for bigger negs but bigger than you need and really a bit too big for 35mm.

How is it too big for 35mm? I use mine for printing 35mm, medium format and the occasional 4x5. Very solid and stable, and the focus adjusts very smoothly and accurately.

 

[135format]

How is it too big for 35mm? I use mine for printing 35mm, medium format and the occasional 4x5. Very solid and stable, and the focus adjusts very smoothly and accurately.

The neg holder is so big it can be difficult to adjust the position of a 35mm neg strip whilst its in the enlarger, especially if your neg strip is less than 6 negs long. Apart from that its fine for 35mm. It's only a minor consideration.
I would add that if you have no intention of doing 6x9 or 4x5 then really an L1200 is too big and so much heavier than something like a Modular 70 or an M670 that unless you have the space and a very strong bench to put it on I wouldn't consider it. But on the other hand, if you think you may want to do some 4x5 in the future then go for it.

 

[sircarl]

I have a Magnifax 4 with the VC Meograde head, and I'm very happy with it. Dial-in filtration is easy, and the light output can be reduced through a separate control wheel -- permitting longer exposure times and the use of larger, more optimal lens apertures. The double-glass negative carrier keeps negs flat. The whole thing is solidly constructed and works very smoothly. Meopta's top-of-the-line Meogon lenses are superb too. Only (small) problem is that the head leaks some light, but with a home-made strap and some velcro fasteners it is easy to block it.

 

[Fotohuis]

Opemus goes to 6X6

For a short production period there even was an Opemus 7 (6x7cm). But in the Meopta range the Magnifax 4A was the best (till 6x9cm).
Their Meogon lenses are good. I even have the Meogon 2,8/80mm. But in preformance a little less then my Rodenstock Rodagon 4,0/80mm.

Indeed good other suggestions apart from Dunco II and Kienzle; M70, M670, M805, Kaiser 7xxx serie.

A Laborator L1200 is a bit overdone. And almost impossible to ship from Germany, Holland to Croatia. Maybe check out Czech Republic or Slovakia too for a good Meopta. I have worked with Meopta (6x6cm) for a very long time, then Dunco II 67 and I am aware about the L1200 from Durst.

 

[fidget]

I had a Durst M670C (colour head) gifted to me (no longer used, but still got it). It was good for up to 6x7, aside from trying to print onto 16x12 paper and bigger, when I had problems with the column getting in the way.
I bought a Magnifax 4a and later replaced the colour head for a Meograde head. Good equipment, sadly underused........

Dave

 

[---f]

anyone have any feedback on the Federal 450?

 

[PMCC]

Can't go wrong with an Omega D2 series, great build quality, strong, a lot were made and parts are easy to find.

+1. A tank. Also easier to keep aligned than Beseler 23C. But probably too thin on the ground in Croatia.