Vickko
Veteran
Are there prior darkroom users who have tried various bulbs for enlargers?
If yes, what are good criteria for enlarger bulbs? I have a Focomat IIc, it is now all together but I don't have a bulb. The recommended bulb is on order, but what's so special about that?
I see many types of bulbs at the hardware store, and the IIc has a regular bulb socket. There are even daylight bulbs, which claim to have a better match to sunlight. It sounds like it would do a good job for BW, and perhaps a superb job for colour (if I ever get insane enough to do colour at home).
regards Vick
If yes, what are good criteria for enlarger bulbs? I have a Focomat IIc, it is now all together but I don't have a bulb. The recommended bulb is on order, but what's so special about that?
I see many types of bulbs at the hardware store, and the IIc has a regular bulb socket. There are even daylight bulbs, which claim to have a better match to sunlight. It sounds like it would do a good job for BW, and perhaps a superb job for colour (if I ever get insane enough to do colour at home).
regards Vick
mwooten
light user
I once asked a professor about this subject. He told me that he did it once when he was low on cash. However, when he noticed the script letters "GE" on his prints he found the money and bought a 'proper' enlarger bulb.
Take care,
Michael
Take care,
Michael
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Eddie Weston did some contact printing with a household bulb in one of those shop light reflectors, as have I. Not sure how it would apply to an enlarger, give it a try and then we'll all know!
Todd
Todd
ErnestoJL
Well-known
There is a simple criteria to choose the right bulb for your enlarger, depending on which type of lighting does it need, or what lighting do you prefer.
The enlager may be designed to use a opal bulb and a condenser (difussed collimated light), a frosted glass bulb with a diffuser (difused light), or another kind of bulb (cold cathode, etc).
The most usual is the first, it is the opal bulb with condenser.
I used allways household bulbs bought at any hardware store.
May be the Focomat requires something special but I´m in doubt about this, mostly thinking that the socket is the usual type.
My Home made Meopta Magnifax was designed to use any opal bulb of up to 150 watts, and AFAIK all manufacturers do not require special bulbs, unless using some special lighting devices (cold cathode).
Cheers
Ernesto
The enlager may be designed to use a opal bulb and a condenser (difussed collimated light), a frosted glass bulb with a diffuser (difused light), or another kind of bulb (cold cathode, etc).
The most usual is the first, it is the opal bulb with condenser.
I used allways household bulbs bought at any hardware store.
May be the Focomat requires something special but I´m in doubt about this, mostly thinking that the socket is the usual type.
My Home made Meopta Magnifax was designed to use any opal bulb of up to 150 watts, and AFAIK all manufacturers do not require special bulbs, unless using some special lighting devices (cold cathode).
Cheers
Ernesto
Vickko
Veteran
I found the correct bulb, at a specialty lighting store in Ottawa.
I found the correct bulb, at a specialty lighting store in Ottawa.
I found the correct bulb, at a specialty lighting store in Ottawa.
Thank you for all the advice.
Vick
I found the correct bulb, at a specialty lighting store in Ottawa.
I found the correct bulb, at a specialty lighting store in Ottawa.
Thank you for all the advice.
Vick
P
pshinkaw
Guest
I too tried this once, about 35 years ago. As I recall I had a problem with the bulb logo showing up on the print. I installed an additional diffuser, but then had all kinds of trouble adjusting contrast.
Really wasn't worth the trouble.
-Paul
Really wasn't worth the trouble.
-Paul
ed1k
Well-known
Bulbs designed for enlargers have different shape of the thread emmitting light and sometimes better glass surface. This all together gives more even light across frame window. With household bulb you will have hard time to adjust the bulb to get corners illuminated as good as the centre of the frame in whole range of apperture settings, no matter how good is your condenser. Manufacturer's logos play last role in this game, you could always buy a noname bulb which is cheaper and usually without marks or use solvent to wash out a mark. But if enlarger lacks of sophisticated bulb adjustment mechanism, household bulb is not going to work good. At least, I was not able to get an even light with 35mm frame using Durst M605 condenser enlarger and household bulb. From my soviet experience, my cheap soviet condenser enlarger was designed to use household bulbs, it was always pain to adjust the bulb and get even light from corner to corner within reasonable range of f/stops.
Eduard.
Eduard.
gareth
Established
Umm I tend to put a lamp in mine. Bulbs I stick in the ground.
For those in the UK, silverprint and Nova darkrooms are good bets to get the right lamp.
For those in the UK, silverprint and Nova darkrooms are good bets to get the right lamp.
VinceC
Veteran
>>However, when he noticed the script letters "GE" on his prints he found the money and bought a 'proper' enlarger bulb.<<
I can remember wrestling with GE ghosts on my prints and using some plastic diffusion material that eliminated the wording but gave me two and three minutes exposures.
I can remember wrestling with GE ghosts on my prints and using some plastic diffusion material that eliminated the wording but gave me two and three minutes exposures.