Please advise 35mm enlarger basic model

[Leigh Youdale]

Enlarger Choice - 35mm B+W

Enlarger Choice - 35mm B+W

here in Ukraine it is very hard to find a good enlarger.
Soviet ones are crappy and usable only for small prints.
They usually have uneven light distibution (corners are darker then center),
low quality lenses (although some models allow to use thread-mounted camera lens)
lens and lamp(light bulb) need to be replaced immediately with imported (always better) analogs.
I think about to buy an enlarger in Germany

Have you thought about the Meopta range, made in Czechoslovakia? They're pretty good middle range enlargers, not too expensive and probably more easily accessed where you are.

 

[minoltist7]

is that a good one?
Beseler Printmaker condenser model, 35mm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91141-REG/Beseler_6759K_Printmaker_35_Condenser_Enlarger.html

or this one (67VC ) - it is capable of medium format , but size seems to be not very large
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/249023-REG/Beseler_6762K_Y_67VC_Printmaker_Enlarger_with.html

I'm basically a 35mm shooter, and huge size of 6x7 enlargers keeps me off from using 6x7 format
(I can't just bring such thing in my kitchen - my wife will shoot me 🙂 )
but if I'd find relatively compact 6x7 em\nlarger, it's probably better investment

 

[sepiareverb]

interesting thread. I've been looking for a new enlarger, a real one with condenser instead of the dicholoric omega I have now. It gives me about 3 minute enlarge times for normal negative.

Sounds like you may need a new mixing chamber- they do wear out as the liner yellows with age.

Should you go new I can't recommend the LPL's enough.

 

[titrisol]

Define compactness 😉
The printmaker is not a bad enlarger, but the column is platic and is not rigid enough if you want to make 40x60cm enlargements.

Beseler has pictures of the enlargers with dimensions here:
http://www.beselerphoto.com/enlargers.html
67 http://www.beselerphoto.com/img/exploded.67vc.body.gif

Those are pretty good, also check for the used ones in ebay in germany... some decent deals (< 200 euros)

is that a good one?
Beseler Printmaker condenser model, 35mm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91141-REG/Beseler_6759K_Printmaker_35_Condenser_Enlarger.html

or this one (67VC ) - it is capable of medium format , but size seems to be not very large
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/249023-REG/Beseler_6762K_Y_67VC_Printmaker_Enlarger_with.html

I'm basically a 35mm shooter, and huge size of 6x7 enlargers keeps me off from using 6x7 format
(I can't just bring such thing in my kitchen - my wife will shoot me 🙂 )
but if I'd find relatively compact 6x7 em\nlarger, it's probably better investment

 

[minoltist7]

does anybody knows about this one?
Opemus 6a, can be ordered new from the factory, can print both 35mm and 6x6
http://www.meopta.cz/index.php?id=117&lang=en

 

[Fred]

does anybody knows about this one?
Opemus 6a, can be ordered new from the factory, can print both 35mm and 6x6
http://www.meopta.cz/index.php?id=117&lang=en

I've been using an Opemus 6 for a few years now, yes you can use it for 6x6. If it's the colour version check that it has the 6x6 light mixing box which to my knowledge is standard on this model (it was on mine anyway).

 

[minoltist7]

I've been using an Opemus 6 for a few years now, yes you can use it for 6x6. If it's the colour version check that it has the 6x6 light mixing box which to my knowledge is standard on this model (it was on mine anyway).

What largest size did you print on it?
do you use native or aftermarket lens?
People suggested to use Rodenstock or El-Nikkor optics instead of Meopta's native

 

[rxmd]

What largest size did you print on it?
do you use native or aftermarket lens?
People suggested to use Rodenstock or El-Nikkor optics instead of Meopta's native

Meopta's native lenses are great. Meopta knows how to build lenses.

The Anaret is a good four-element lens, not really high end but a solid lens that should do the job. The Meogon is a six-element lens that is on par with Rodagons and EL-Nikkors.

If you have an Anaret, you can get a Rodagon if you find one for cheap but you shouldn't need to look for one. I use an Anaret to this day for 35mm printing.

 

[titrisol]

The enlarger is just a box with a light system
The Meoptas are decent, I assume the 6 will be better than the old model 4 which was good
Alsoif the price difference with the 7 is small, get the 7.

As per the lens, to start you can use the meopta lens, and as your prints go larger and become better you can invest your money in a Nikkor, shcneider or Rodenstock

 

[Dogman]

I would suggest a used (is there any other kind?) Leitz Valoy for a durable 35mm only enlarger that seems to never go out of kilter and should cost very little. Also a used Leitz Focomat 1c should be available pretty cheap (I had a friend offer me one for free but I had no space for it in my darkroom). I currently use an LPL but the model I have is probably too big for your purposes. Lenses? Rodenstock Rodagon 50/2.8, Schneider Componon 50/2.8 or El Nikkor 50/2.8 are all excellent lenses for 35mm, don't cost a fortune and should be readily available on the used market.

 

[minoltist7]

I also found this one:
http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_2_produktsuche.asp

 

[minoltist7]

For those who used Kaisers:
is multigrade system head significantly better then "normal" BW head?
AFAIU, this head contains built-in multigrade filter.
aren't results different from BW head + interchangeable square filters (i.e. Ilford).
I almost convinced to get a Kaiser, but this is important moment, becouse configuration with multigrade head costs 1,3-1,5x more than with classic BW head.

 

[titrisol]

Well, the advantage is that a color/multigrade head allows for stepless infinite combinations that you can not have with filters
Also filters may degrade/discolor/get dirty but the color head will not

Kaiser has the advantage of a modular system, if you get the BW head now and in the future you decide to change it for a MC/color head you just order the part and replace it.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Sure, there are plenty of enlarger bargains now, but with some brands you may be unable to find
additional negative carriers and other important accessories you find you need in the future.
I suggest you to check the availability and price of these items before choosing an enlarger.

Chris