Homemade enlargers?

climbing_vine

climbing_vine

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So, I'm developing black and white in tanks in the bathroom of our apartment now. Next, enlargements. 5x7 and 8x10 largely. However. I don't want to buy an enlarger until I have the funds and space for a long-term solution. Until then I'd rather go homemade than spend money on a stopgap. This works out well since my current project is meant to have an arts-and-crafts look. Critical tolerances are unnecessary.

The internets have a few how-tos and examples, but I'm curious if anyone here has done this--and how--and what your results were like. I'm likely going to use lenses I already have sitting around, possibly 50mm Super Takumar macro, but I'm open to adding inexpensive Pentax, Minolta, ot LTM lenses to our household's slr/rf systems for this.
 
Enlargers are so cheap why bother w/ homemade? I have a portable Saunders LPL 67 that I snagged for $99. Last yr I had a top-of-the-line OMEGA that I paid all of $165.
 
I made a diffuser type enlarger back in 1962 and used it with a 50mm Leica screw mount lens, name forgotten but possibly an Elmar. The frame was of wood and the negative carrier was a glass sandwich. Gave acceptable prints up to 8.5 x 6.5 inches. I did not go larger than that. However, given that enlargers are now available for next to nothing, all that trouble is not necessary.
 
I agree that it's not worth the effort, and camera lenses aren't designed for the close-up range. You would have trouble locating condensor lenses so you'd have to make a diffusion enlarger, not the best for small negatives.
 
I made one for use with a 4x5 camera. It would be relatively simple to get coverage on a 35mm frame using a lightbulb as the source. Make a box of white foam core and cover it in aluminum foil. Attach to your camera on a tripod and you're good to go. I got some good results with mine but it was a real PIA to use. A regular enlarge saves a lot of headache.
 
The big problem will be to provide an even light density throughout the hole area!

25 years ago I made a point-source/condenser enlarger for 4x5" using a double condenser with 9" diameter 😀

Next time I find a used pro one 😉


Edit: Oh so the "5x7 and 8x10" refer to the size of the prints not the negatives?
 
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I am picking up a FREE complete darkroom this afternoon from a Craigslist find. Enlarger, trays, etc etc. Even a sink! The sink is the reason I went after it in the first place. These kinds of deals pop up from time to time. It'll certainly cost more to DIY, though it'd be more fun to go that route.
 
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I see entire darkroom packages on ebay for $99. Beseler printmaker 35 enlargers for $30. The problem is shipping, because the equipment is bulky. But if you're in Minneapolis, you should be able to find something.

You might enjoy reinventing the wheel, but as others have said, there are affordable wheels to be had.
 
I concur with the previous posters - check local Craigs List/ local papers/put up a note at the local college etc. I doubt you could even buy the material to make your own for what you can find a good enlarger for (and that includes a good lens too).
For the true high end stuff, Focomats,De Vere's, Durst 138's etc - there is still a market - but if you are only printing smaller size (up to 8x10) - look for a Leitz Valloy - simple, small enough to be portable and, hey Eugeen Smith printed most of his stuff with one. Some of the Durst 66/67, LPL. B22's from Omega are good starters too. Beware of the one that uses special light bulbs - as with unswerving accuracy - the one you will blow and the nearest replacement will be on an other continent - or simply out of stock everywhere.
 
I would indeed enjoy reinventing the wheel. 🙂 That's part of the motivation.

I'm in an apartment, as mentioned (which is already full of a baby and all the accompanying junk), so the "take away all my stuff!" kits for 200-300 on ebay/craigslist are out of the question. Having something that I can break down is also part of the motivation.

At any rate, I already decided that, for me, right now, it is worth the trouble. Because I don't want to spend good money on something low-end, I don't have space to keep a big permanent thing, and because I enjoy building stuff. Thanks for the comments so far!
 
climbing_vine said:
I would indeed enjoy reinventing the wheel. 🙂 That's part of the motivation.

I'm in an apartment, as mentioned (which is already full of a baby and all the accompanying junk), so the "take away all my stuff!" kits for 200-300 on ebay/craigslist are out of the question. Having something that I can break down is also part of the motivation.

At any rate, I already decided that, for me, right now, it is worth the trouble. Because I don't want to spend good money on something low-end, I don't have space to keep a big permanent thing, and because I enjoy building stuff. Thanks for the comments so far!
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Hey good luck. The "kits" on craigs list referred to are not $200-$300. Often its more like FREE.

EDIT: Saunders LPL 67 is hardly low end:-0
 
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35mmdelux said:
Hey good luck. The "kits" on craigs list referred to are not $200-$300. Often its more like FREE.
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Yeah, I've seen some for cheap. They're not anywhere near me, however. Here in the big city (heh) it's few and far between that people are just giving this stuff away, and since I'm looking for it for a specific project with a timeline patience is not a virtue (this time).

EDIT: Saunders LPL 67 is hardly low end:-0
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Nope not at all. It also looks like you have to be pretty lucky to score one for less than a few hundred bucks, from some quick looking around. I know that's a pittance to some people but not to a young guy with a baby. 🙂
 
Last year I got a whole darkroom setup off Freecycle. an enlarger really don't take up much space but I understand you wanting to build one. Good luck & post some photos of/with it.
 
Freecycle is an interesting idea. Thanks gb. Another facet here is that I don't drive, so pick-ups are difficult. There are a lot of reasons for me wanting to build one, but I didn't really want to tell my life story in the OP. ;-)
 
thomasw_ said:
Well Bryan, it sounds like no one can convince you that is a waste of both time and money to proceed with this idea, so I won't even bother: I wish you fun and all the best with it!
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Is building your own cabin a waste of time and money? Buying cameras and repairing them yourself? I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "waste" here. Thanks for the good wishes though. 🙂
 
Brian -
Back in the day when I was busted $ I simply rented some darkroom time. Walk in with my negs & paper, an hour later $15.

Save the construction dough for baby formula. Congrats.
 
That's not a bad idea. But I'm also in school (aside from working a regular nine-hour day), so my spending even *more* time out of the house isn't a thrilling prospect for my wife. I'm definitely considering it next summer when school is finished.

ETA: assuming there are any public darkrooms left at that point...
 
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Check thrift stores, Salvation Army, etc. for cheap or free stuff. Put an ad in any of the free shoppers (Pennysaver) and ask for a donation:

"Married student with new baby needs photo enlarger for school project. Free or very reasonable."

Find an old folding camera, roll film or polaroid, set it on the counter, slap a light source on the back and you've got an enlarger. A Adams used a horizontal for years according to his bio.
 
newspaperguy said:
Find an old folding camera, roll film or polaroid, set it on the counter, slap a light source on the back and you've got an enlarger. A Adams used a horizontal for years according to his bio.
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I had no idea. Maybe I should read more about those early days, I suppose there was a lot of DIY going on out of necessity. Thanks.
 
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