Black and White enlarger help

Steve

Steve

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I've currently got a Durst M605 colour enlarger that I'm using for B&W prints. It's a nice enlarger, but:

The diffuser seems to soften the image so I can't get B&W images as sharp as I can from the dedicated B&W enlargers at College where I do an evening class, and
It also seems to reduce contrast so I find that even using a high multigrade filter I can't get the contrast I want

Don't want to overstate the above issues, the results are still good, but when I hold them side by side with the College enlargers' prints the differences are noticeable and the B&W enlargers seem superior to me.

I tried using a different lens but no change. I'm using the same paper and chemicals that I do at College, so I'm thinking it can only be the way a colour enlarger diffuses the light that is causing the issues or maybe the lamp type.

Has anyone else any experience of the above?

Also I'm looking at replacing the Durst M605 with a Durst DA900. Does anyone have any experience or comments on this enlarger...cant find much information on it from Mr google.
 
Durst 605 heads are interchangeable, you might get a B&W head on ebay
You should be able to use the Durst colour filters instead of multigrade
Diffusing heads were always known to produce 'softer' light than condenser heads - sometimes regarded as an advantage as dust shows up less.
 
I've been looking for ages for the black and white head for the 605 but not seen one come up. Hence the thought of getting a DA900 instead
 
Condensers give higher contrast than diffusers - but if you take a look at film developing times, you should find that different times are given for the two types. You develop to a higher contrast for a diffuser. That won't help if you're swapping between types.

I have a Durst M805 with the B&W head; my 5x4 has a colour head.
 
StephenM said:
Condensers give higher contrast than diffusers - but if you take a look at film developing times, you should find that different times are given for the two types. You develop to a higher contrast for a diffuser. That won't help if you're swapping between types.

I have a Durst M805 with the B&W head; my 5x4 has a colour head.
Click to expand...

Stephen, Do you find you 5x4 colour head has the same soft diffuser?
 
It's noticeably softer, but manageable. I have a half recollection that with some colour heads, you can't get enough filtration for maximum constrast and might have to use a filter as well.

My first ever enlarger was a Photax Paragon (1961) which came with an opal diffuser. I later added condensers and the contrast was greater.
 
john-oh said:
How's your German ?

http://SPAM/odlokrr
Click to expand...

Thanks John. Got it translated and only thing missing was the condenser and have sourced one locally. So have ordered this unit from Germany. Will post here and let you know when its received and operational.
 
hi steve this might be your problem Quote Built-in supplimentary filters add 60CC Y and M on colorhead. hth mike these could be softening your b/w images i had one back in the 80s no problems with black and white printing contrast and sharpness all good. not sure why yours should'nt be.
 
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