Is this a good enlarger?

[JeremyLangford]

I know very little about enlargers. But this enlarger is available to me for free. I have always thought about making a 35mm B&W darkroom.

Heres the description:

Vivitar Enlarger Model E34, for negatives 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, with darkroom lights, free with pick up

 

[FrankS]

The price seems good. 🙂

decent, basic enlarger, adequate

You can always upgrade later to a more substantial and sturdy enlarger.

 

[Al Kaplan]

It's a very decent mid-range enlarger and the price is certaily right! Ask if it comes with a 35mm negative carrier. You could always make one out of cardboard if you have to. Usually for 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 negatives you'd use a 75mm or 80mm lens. For 35mm negatives a 50mm is standard. You could use the longer focal length for 35mm but wouldn't be able to make as large a print on the baseboard.

You should also ask if there's a spare bulb. If not, get one at your photo dealer. They always burn out at the wrong time and enlargers use odd-ball bulbs. If it doesn't come with (ask!) something like a Time-O-Lite timer you should get one of those also. An easel to hold the paper is nice too. Try to get as much as you can if it's for free. You can always give it away, trade it for something you want, or sell it.

 

[payasam]

Be prepared to spend on a decent lens which meets your requirements.

 

[pesphoto]

Sure, it will do the job. Grab it and have fun.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I know very little about enlargers. But this enlarger is available to me for free. I have always thought about making a 35mm B&W darkroom.

Heres the description:

Vivitar Enlarger Model E34, for negatives 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, with darkroom lights, free with pick up

Jeremy,

The price is right. If there is no lens, find a decent 50mm f2.8 EL-Nikkor, Rodagon, or Schneider Componon-S on eBay. With a little patience, you should be able to get one of those for a good price. Another outstanding lens, but not so common, is the Minolta C.E. Rokkor-X 50mm f2.8. I have the C.E.Rokkor-X in 50 and 80mm and I think they are incredible.

Mike Sullivan

 

[disco2000]

Bumping an old topic..

I just got this enlarger off my friend for $20, and had some questions:
- Does this enlarger have the standard enlarger lens mount? (I got the vivitar lens, but am thinking of buying an EL nikkor as those above have suggested)
- How would I go about using contrast filters on this enlarger? I don't see any provision for mounting filters, do I need to purchased this separately? If so, what's the kind I should be looking for?

 

[crawdiddy]

In many condenser enlargers, there's a slot just above the condensing lens that holds a tray, where you place the polycontrast filter. You will need to open the light unit to access it. Or, I believe you can also stick it below the negative. (Many enlargers have a tray that swivels either into or out of the light path below the negative. They are made for deep red filters that theoretically block all light which paper is sensitive to. You can hijack that tray for polycontrast filters.) It really doesn't matter. If there's no place built in for this purpose, you can rig one yourself fairly easily.

 

[sevo]

It would do the job. But these days, all enlargers tend to be free, even the highest high end pro stuff - if you are in a major city, chances are that you can get a much better one.