What enlarger to buy?

[LazyHammock]

Pedro,
I would echo that the Omega D2 and Beseler 23C enlargers are good choices. Both are sturdy and reliable and it is very easy to find spares, lensboards, carriers etc. The D2 also gives you the advantage of enlarging up to 4x5. I have been using Schneider Componon enlarging lenses and have been very happy (I print up to 16x20).
Good luck,
Nick

 

[Tim Gray]

A lot of times you can get the enlarger for very cheap or free. I would also consider getting a color enlarger for B&W work. The filters are nice for VC paper.

If you look on ebay, a lot of new Nikkor 50mm/2.8N enlarging lenses come up. I got mine with a Buy it now for about $60 - I could have gotten one for cheaper if I had have waited longer, but the extra $20-30 spent saved a lot of hassle...

 

[crawdiddy]

Maximum negative size with Beseler 23C ???

Maximum negative size with Beseler 23C ???

Pedro,
I would echo that the Omega D2 and Beseler 23C enlargers are good choices. Both are sturdy and reliable and it is very easy to find spares, lensboards, carriers etc. The D2 also gives you the advantage of enlarging up to 4x5. I have been using Schneider Componon enlarging lenses and have been very happy (I print up to 16x20).
Good luck,
Nick

I thought the Beseler 23c II was also capable of printing from a 4x5 inch negative?

 

[sevo]

I thought the Beseler 23c II was also capable of printing from a 4x5 inch negative?

That would be the 45C, IIRC. If you have the space and manage to get hold of a enlarger with condensors/diffusors and film holders for smaller formats (if components like these are missing, a seeming bargain can turn quite expensive) buying a large format enlarger is a smart idea - these are invariably high quality professional tools and currently they cost next to nothing, their devaluation in the digital boom makes them a much better bargain than small format enlargers.

Sevo

 

[kipkeston]

The 23cII is a 6x9 enlarger and built like a tank. The omegas are good too. Buy whatever you can find in good condition locally.

 

[pakeha]

Hi Pedro, being in Europe you may find that the Meopta enlargers are in plentiful supply, they are very solid and well made. Axomat or Opemus perhaps. You will get an adjustable 35/120 neg carrier and parts ,if for some reason you need them are available. There is also a colour head for these. I use an Opemus 6 with nikkor lens, 50mm/80mm, you will have euros left from your budget for a rodenstock lens.
regards
CW

 

[parsec1]

If your wallet will allow it buy any Leitz enlarger. In my experience all the National Newspapers used them when they had 'wet darkrooms' and for good reason.

 

[Roma]

I prefer a condenser. It makes punchy prints without as much filtration as a diffuser requires. Omega D2 is a great one and it's easy to file the negative holders if you want to print full-frame.
It's easy to change filters on a D2 as well.
An El-Nikkor lens is a very, very good one and can be found for around US $100.

I also have a nice Focomat V35, but it's not easy to find and you can only do 35mm film.

Best wishes and it's nice to hear someone's looking for an enlarger!

 

[ChrisN]

The OP started this thread in 2007. I suspect he either has an enlarger by now or has given up on the idea. Are you still out there Pedro?

 

[Steve M.]

I had a Beseler 45 that turned out to be just too big for my needs. Are you shooting 35mm and 6x6? A Durst 606 is a good enlarger. I bought mine for $70 shipped, but decided to upgrade the lens(es). Here's where things get tricky. An El Nikkor 50mm for 35mm printing was $50, but then it wouldn't fit the lens board that came w/ the enlarger. That cost me another $35, shipped, for the lens board. I wanted to use the Componon S 80 f4 lens from the Beseler ($160), but needed a different lens board for that. Another $35 shipped. So already my $70 enlarger has cost me $350. It didn't have to, I could have printed w/ the 75mm Componar that came w/ it, but why shoot Leica glass and use anything but good glass on the enlarger?

Whatever you decide to get, make sure you get a complete enlarger w/ negative carriers and lens boards, or at least understand what these things are going to cost individually before you buy. I love the Durst. It's small and light, yet extremely well designed, and it will print up to 16x16 w/ the present setup. But it won't print 6x7 or 6x9, so I knew that going in. As far as the different types of light sources, I wouldn't worry about that. A properly aligned enlarger w/ good lenses and a good negative will give you good prints regardless of the light source.

Oh, and congratulations on going to darkroom printing. I think you'll be thrilled w/ the results.

 

[crawdiddy]

The OP started this thread in 2007. I suspect he either has an enlarger by now or has given up on the idea. Are you still out there Pedro?

I suspect you're right, Chris. I found the thread when I began thinking of enlarger upgrades.

 

[crawdiddy]

I had a Beseler 45 that turned out to be just too big for my needs. Are you shooting 35mm and 6x6? A Durst 606 is a good enlarger. I bought mine for $70 shipped, but decided to upgrade the lens(es). Here's where things get tricky. An El Nikkor 50mm for 35mm printing was $50, but then it wouldn't fit the lens board that came w/ the enlarger. That cost me another $35, shipped, for the lens board. I wanted to use the Componon S 80 f4 lens from the Beseler ($160), but needed a different lens board for that. Another $35 shipped. So already my $70 enlarger has cost me $350. It didn't have to, I could have printed w/ the 75mm Componar that came w/ it, but why shoot Leica glass and use anything but good glass on the enlarger?

Whatever you decide to get, make sure you get a complete enlarger w/ negative carriers and lens boards, or at least understand what these things are going to cost individually before you buy. I love the Durst. It's small and light, yet extremely well designed, and it will print up to 16x16 w/ the present setup. But it won't print 6x7 or 6x9, so I knew that going in. As far as the different types of light sources, I wouldn't worry about that. A properly aligned enlarger w/ good lenses and a good negative will give you good prints regardless of the light source.

Oh, and congratulations on going to darkroom printing. I think you'll be thrilled w/ the results.

I don't have any 4x5 negatives, but I did acquire a Kodak Medalist a while back, which produces 6x9 cm negatives. I think that may be too large for the small to medium format enlargers. I currently have a Beseler Printmaker 35, and I don't believe it can handle it.

Btw, the Medalist produces huge, beautiful negs, and it's driving me crazy that I can't print them. But even the contact prints look huge.

 

[mh2000]

el-nikkor 50/4 is quite good budget priced, the 50/2.8 might be a touch nicer in the corners, but not much.

People are throwing away enlargers... if you are lucky, it will be free.

I have a classic Omega B-22, I really like it. I use the nikkor 50/4.

haaaaaaaaa!
So if i only need print 35mm film, i only need a 50mm lens!
Whats the 3/5 best 50mm enlarger lens made?

 

[mh2000]

el-nikkor 50/4 is quite good budget priced, the 50/2.8 might be a touch nicer in the corners, but not much.

People are throwing away enlargers... if you are lucky, it will be free.

I have a classic Omega B-22, I really like it. I use the nikkor 50/4.

haaaaaaaaa!
So if i only need print 35mm film, i only need a 50mm lens!
Whats the 3/5 best 50mm enlarger lens made?