Kaiser VC 60 enlarger [need opinions & help fast]

[gandalfk7]

hi!

I have a "problem" (or maybe a bragain 😎 )

I foten shoot film so i bought an old Meopta enlarger from a friend of mine
but it takes only 35mm or less.. non 6x6.

so i found a Kaiser VC 60 for 40€ + shipping.
it's prepared for 6x6 with a 75mm Bemecron-EL f/4.5.

i dunno how good is this enlarger, my problem is that i cannot keep both the enlargers!

so i need your help, with a 50mm rogonar installed the Kaiser should be ok for 35mm
or i have to find another condenser suitable for 35mm format?

i also have the oppurtunity to buy an automatic timer (has a sensor that calculates exposure times)
is it worth it?


thank you for your help!

Matteo

 

[titrisol]

Kaiser enlargers were great! http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_sortiment.asp?w=1342
I used one in the late 90s and loved it. Built like a brick, yet very pelasurable to use
For 40 Euro GO FOR IT!!!

The lens you have in the other enlarger will fit, but you may have to buy another board for it.

The VC60 should have a variable constrast head and I do not think it has condensors since it is a cold light souce (difusion enlarger) It maybe old but kaiser has parts/accesories for most of their old machines. Instructios for most enlargers here
http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/service/anleitungen/4_3_index.asp



The automatic timer maybe worth it, specially if it is an f-stop type timer.

 

[gandalfk7]

thank you!!

so it's not an idiocy to sell the good'ol meopta for the kaiser?

i dunno if it's an F-stop timer or not, it's the kaiser 4033
i found the manual of the 4032 and it seems to be suited for kaiser's enlargers
because the scale of numbers isn't in fstops or something common.


i have to check that.

 

[gandalfk7]

another question: i am looking for a tank to develop on my own 120 format film.


I have a patterson tank with the reel, this reel: http://www.pictureline.com/products/2735/Paterson_Auto_Load_Reel_singles/


how the hell can i "open" it to take 120 format film.
using brute force i am scared i can break the reel.
and i cannot find an "how-to open reels"...

 

[rxmd]

Paterson reels consist of two parts, as you can see when twisting it to transport the film. They use a hard plastic that can be pretty stiff, but they do come apart. Take the reel in your hands and turn the right-hand side clockwise, just like you would do when spooling film, only further. You might have to overcome quite a lot of resistance, but they should come apart. It can help to grab them using a piece of cloth or paper.

The Kaiser 4033 isn't really all that great. If you want an electronic timer with metering, get a Trialux or a Wallner MC505 or MC509; if you want just a timer then ditch all the electronic stuff and get a mechanical timer for under 10 EUR. In practice I find that metering timers are overrated; in the end I'm better just using test strips. 🙂

Philipp