Your Favorite Enlarger & Why

MaxElmar

MaxElmar

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Wow, it's a buyer's market out there! If you were looking to buy a complete enlarger set up on the current market - what are you looking for?

Me - I don't know much of anything about printing color - so let's not worry about that - for now. I did some Cibachrome work way back in the day. (Wasted lot's of $.)

I shoot 35mm to 6x9 - 4x5 is optional.

I have lots of experience with the Beseler 23 - but what else should I consider?

I will probably use the Componon (150mm & 80mm) and Nikkor (50mm) enlarging lenses I have stashed away.

Thanks in advance for any insights.
 
Dunco 67-II

the VC Module is superb, but the combined VC + Color module is fine, too. No need for drop in filters.
I use mine with the long 120cm stand, a Dunco 90 easel (superb, with gas pressurized locking, laser cut guides, angle adjustment etc.). The head has the fine focussing gear and a stablized power supply.

the film holders are very easy to use with magnetic closures, 6x7 with or without glass, etc.

it being a German product most likely means that it is not easily available for you, but it is surely one of the nicest enlargers ever, and it can be had for € 200,-- or less on the used market (and is still available new for € 1500,-- or more, depending on the features you opt for). Recently Dunco repaired two damaged film holders for a very reasonable sum.
 
I own an Omega B22 that I bought in the 1960s. Later, I bought a colorhead that I use today for VC black and white paper. Years ago, I used to develop (Ektachrome X) slide film and print. I used a drum to make 8/10 prints.

The Omega has served me well for a relatively long time. It will enlarge 6 x 6 negatives and smaller.
 
I use a V35 for 35mm and a DeVere Varicon 203 condenser enlarger for everything else up to 6x9. I love the DeVere. I read you get problems with dust with a condenser enlarger but that's not an issue with my 203. I use componon lenses with the DeVere.
 
The Dunco is beautiful, and there is one right near me - but 6x9 is essential for me and I don't think a holder is available.

The Omega B22 - another beauty - but I'll be looking at a D2 - again, because 6x9.

6x9 is a weird size for processing and printing but my Medalist and Century Graphic w/2x3 roll film backs insist. Fuji 6x9 RF is on the way too.
 
If you have the room for it, I recommend a 4x5 enlarger. They're usually more sturdy, more even light.

I have a LPL / Saunders 4x5. Very nice. Harder to find on the used market, but they occasionally come up. My kids will probably be selling mine in about 30 years.

If I were shopping now, I would probably try to find a nice Omega D series. Preferably one that doesn't require the lens cones, but has the longer bellows. They come up pretty regularly on the Denver craigslist. Probably a bunch in NJ now. Keep looking for one that's not abused.
 
Beseler 23C. The biggest selling point for me is the negatrans, available in 35mm and, I think 6x7 sizes. For full 6x9 I have to use a 6x9 single negative holder, but I will live with that.
 
Roma said:
Love the punchy contrast of the good-ol' Omega D2. Also been using Leitz Focomat V35 and spoiled by how simple and fast it is to operate.
Click to expand...

I had a D2 and loved it - but what a beast, if you every need to move it to a new location.

My current pair of enlargers are a tiny, but robust Durst M301 and a state of the art, circa 1956, Durst 609. Both are easy-peasy for me to move out of the way when not in use.

With a whopping $20.00 invested in both of them, I'd say yep it's a buyer's market.
 
pschauss said:
Beseler 23C. The biggest selling point for me is the negatrans, available in 35mm and, I think 6x7 sizes. For full 6x9 I have to use a 6x9 single negative holder, but I will live with that.
Click to expand...

I'm not a negatrans fan as I've never owned one but I've been using Beseler enlargers for over 44 years and I like the easy availability of different parts and optional heads.
 
The Durst Laborator 138. I owned one for years and sold it due to a move and used a couple at different places I worked. They're relatively inexpensive now but still a lot more than omega of beseler but they're in the top two or three ever made. These will go up to 5x7.

I don't know much about the other Durst but I'm sure the pro level machines are excellent. In a less expensive but still excellent machines the Omega B22 of Beseler 23c II.
 
My first was the Vivitar VI enlarger with the Dioptic Light Source...it also has the kit to do up to 6x7 negs...I bought it when they were first out so I've had it over 30 years...
About five years ago I found a Beseler 23c with the Colorhead at a garage sale, it came with three boxes of extras...
I still use them both depending on what I'm printing...
I like that they are both pretty sturdy enlargers and since I don't have a permanent darkroom I have to move them every time I print...they both have stayed aligned, I haven't had any problems with either outside of a blown bulb every so often...electronically and mechanically they've been solid...
If I were to buy another enlarger it would be the Beseler 4x5...I already have a Rodenstock Rodagon 135mm lens for it so I'm half way there...
 
A late gray Focomat 1c with the Focotar-2 50, just because it is so good. The autofocus feature will stay aligned and functioning for decades once you set it. Limited to 35 though. I also have the "big Brother" - a Focomat 2c for 6x6/6x7 and 6x9. Same reason as the 1c - you set up the auto-focus once and thats it. Even light, heavy enough to be pretty vibration proof too.
 
My old Durst F60 was a great learning tool for me. It was sturdy and yet could be taken apart and put back into it's box in just a couple of minutes. It was my apartment/laundry room enlarger. I used it as a copy stand as well. Eventually I built a darkroom and bought a large Besseler for 4x5 and 6x9. I sold the Durst for around $100. Somehow, like almost all the gear that I have ever sold, I still miss it.
 
I have only used 2 enlargers, a Vivitar 365 and a Fujimoto.

The Fujimoto is by far the more reliable one for the size of darkroom that I can furnish, I use it for 35mm up to 6x7, printing size max-ed at 11x14 inches.

My dream enlarger would be a Leitz Focomat autofocus for 35mm. One day I'll get my Durst (model VI something) going just for medium format.
 
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