Homemade enlargers?

[JustPlainBill]

Hi Brian,

I did build the first enlarger I ever used. Luckily I learned to print 2 1/4 square negatives from my sainted old Rolleicord Ia. I don't recommend using a homemade enlarger for 35 mm negatives. I wish you good success in finding an inexpensive or free enlarger that will do a much better job than my creation ever did.
Cheers,
JustPlainBill

 

[shadowfox]

Yeah, that' a good consideration. There's a spare bathroom, no windows, in the basement (for workmen, etc) that the landlord is going to let me use, and I'm storing the chemistry in our little storage locker on-site (making room for them by getting rid of a small boxful of parts spotmatics that I'm realistically not going to do anything with anytime soon). So the chemistry will be external to the apartment.

That's good that you have a basement. I missed that from when I was in college in Iowa.

Here in Texas we don't have basements, and the attic is either way too hot or too cold depending the season.

Another consideration on making your own enlarger is how quickly you'll want a bigger one

It took me by surprise how fast I went from 35mm negatives up to 6x7 now. And I still have that secret project still to be completed to get a 5x7 large format enlarger going.

 

[climbing_vine]

Well, the first experiments last night worked out just fine. I need to amp up the contrast but other than that... looking good so far. Worked by the light of the moon in the bathroom. Pictures of the contraption and the prints will show up soon. Thanks to everyone who had helpful suggestions.

 

[Jeicob]

Please correct me if I'm wrong (it's been some 25 years since I build my own)!
For best sharpness and contrast try if you can find an over sized double condenser.
Focus the point-source light at the optical center of a stationary enlarger lens and
move the negative up and down for focus.

A quick sketch

 

[Jeicob]

... an over sized double condenser

Here's the one I used