Choose me an enlarger please

Mahoneyd187

Mahoneyd187

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Hi all,

B&W, 6x7 120 film, not sure how big I want to print yet.

You must have some recommendations for me?

Thanks all

Dan
 
I can reccomend the Durst M670, does 35mm and 6x7, ive been able to get it to cover 20x24 inch prints if you get the wall mounted version, probably a little smaller if its the table version. Price wise, it isnt too expensive, so you will have some money to spend on some nice glass for it. i believe its 80-85mm for 6x7.

BTW it also does colour.
 
Hi Rob

Can I produce results as sharp and contrasty as a condenser enlarger with that? Or is there little/no difference?

Thanks

Dan
 
I've only used a diffuser enlarger so i cant comment on Condensers, on the durst you can use the colour flters to increase the contrast. i've never heard of different enlargers being sharper though, i'd have thought that would be more down to the lens
 
Apparently micro contrast is better on condensers, which would improve perceived sharpness I should imagine? I'm only reading this online, I know nothing about this stuff.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Apparently micro contrast is better on condensers, which would improve perceived sharpness I should imagine? I'm only reading this online, I know nothing about this stuff.
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Would certainly make sense, not sure how much of an effect it would have though
 
True mate, and I've never even held a proper wet print in my hands I don't think so I'm a blank canvas with this stuff.

A durst m670 sounds perfect, what do I need to make sure it comes with?

As a side note, any wet printing for dummies tutorials you can recommend?
 
LPL enlargers are good, as are DeVere 504s. Both can be bought for a reasonably low price. If you're wanting to print with borders (black) I'd go with the DeVere because you can get glass carriers (the thing you put the neg in) for 5x4, which will allow for more than enough room for medium format. I've had trouble doing 6x7 stuff with borders on an LPL something because of carriers. If you can, get a constant exposure enlarger (I think that's what they're called anyway) - it'll save you doing a new test strip every time you change grade (contrast).

I don't know about any tutorials, but I'm sure you'll find answers to whatever questions you may have here. Feel free to PM me if need be. Good luck with your adventure :thumbs:

Oh, & you'll need an 80mm lens for 6x7 (50mm for 35) & probably a good 4-blade easel.
 
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you'll need to make sure you have the 2 diffusers, 35mm and medium format, plus the negative carriers. I would look for a rodenstock, schneider or nikon lens for it 50mm for 35mm negs and ~85mm for 6x7.you'll need an enlarging timer and a print easel + trays safelight etc

If you PM me your email address, i can send you the pdf instructions i use for teaching members of my uni photo society, other than that i can reccomend "The darkroom handbook" by Michael Langston or Gene Nocons Photographic printing
 
How big you want to print may not be an issue provided your trays are big enough. My old Jobo's head would tilt 90 degrees so you could just attach your paper onto the farthest wall from the lens so you could get a huge print or an amazing zoom. I seem to remember the durst 605/7 (long time ago) could do the same but it was a long time ago and memories are somewhat confused.
 
most decent enlargers will have a tilt ability to project onto walls, only issue would be that the intensity of light drops off as an inverse square function with distance, ie 2x distance = 1/4 of original light intensity, 3x distance = 1/9 original intensity, meaning you will have very long exposures
 
If you can get a Fujimoto G70 it will do both diffused and condensed light.It takes less than 20 sec to change from diffused to condensed,fantastic design.
 
Do it properly and get a DeVere Danny, one with the controls on the base board. Most other enlargers will feel flimsy compared to a DeVere and that comes from someone who uses a Durst.
 
Kev M said:
Do it properly and get a DeVere Danny, one with the controls on the base board. Most other enlargers will feel flimsy compared to a DeVere and that comes from someone who uses a Durst.
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If there's a big difference in cost a devere is a definate no go. Factoring in a decent lens too, I really don't wanna go overboard, I don't think I'll be producing anything other than hobby-spec work from now on
 
I have an LPL-C6700 here belonging to a mate, its reasonably compact, nice and solid and does 6X7. I also have a durst F60 which is smaller rated to 6x6 but not sure how successfull you would be filing the carrier out to 6X7 I suspect it would be fine the condenser lens is pretty big. The durst is a hobby level enlarger really but like with a film camera, stick some half decent glass on it and its capable of some very good results. I would think I can get 12x16" on the base board, but I've done the flip the head round and hang it off the edge of the bench and printed 20x24" with it.

I 'think' the condenser gives me a sharper contrastier print. but TBH I guess is almost all contrast and you can get that using a filters with MC paper, its VERY rare I use a grade 5 contrast filter. The diffuser is much more forgiving of neg scratches and general dust, I need to give the durst a damn good clean before each session as any dust on the condenser lenses shows up as white marks on the print.

A decent lens is not a massive cost £50 will get you something like a schneider componon, 6 element fairly modern (I'm pretty sure I have a spare in fact).

A devere is a truly awesome piece of kit, if you get the chance to bag one cheap then do. mine came from a photo studio closing down and cost me nothing, just the van hire and a day helping them chuck stuff into a skip. They are a bit of a beast though, and mine is the floor standing model so even sillier than most!
 
I had some decent results with Puggie's F60 (it was mine before I gave it to him :) ). Make sure you counter balance if you do the swing thing though.

Matt
 
You can get some DeVere enlargers for very sensible money on everyone's favorite auction site just be patient for one near you as they're too solid to courier cheaply. Trust me, the base board mounted controls will be worth any extra you might have to pay.
 
actually sod it if you want a small cheap enlarger then you can have the F60 if you are prepared to collect it. the neg holder only does 6x6 but I'm sure it would file out to 6x7 without the light fall off being noticable. if you want a better lens than what I got with it I can sort you one but that will cost, and its only a very basic timer. but there is an enlarger, couple of 50mm and an 80mm lens, to get you going.
 
puggie said:
actually sod it if you want a small cheap enlarger then you can have the F60 if you are prepared to collect it. the neg holder only does 6x6 but I'm sure it would file out to 6x7 without the light fall off being noticable. if you want a better lens than what I got with it I can sort you one but that will cost, and its only a very basic timer. but there is an enlarger, couple of 50mm and an 80mm lens, to get you going.
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:D woohoo!!

Yes. 100%

Where are you?
 
Guildford, so just round the M25 and off at jcn 10. its sat at work (the uni) so if you want to collect during the week it will be there.
 
puggie said:
Guildford, so just round the M25 and off at jcn 10. its sat at work (the uni) so if you want to collect during the week it will be there.
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That's brilliant, I'll pm you this evening! Thanks alot!!
 
puggie said:
Guildford, so just round the M25 and off at jcn 10. its sat at work (the uni) so if you want to collect during the week it will be there.
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Good to see the old thing getting a new lease of life :) It was gathering dust in my loft.
Now, as I've just bought a Mamiya 645 I wonder how long it will be before I start getting that wet-print desire again? I've already started thinking seriously about processing the negs myself and scanning.
 
:) hope I can pick it up quickly and get some decent results!

Scanning on the V500 isn't cutting it for me but I think it's partially my fault. I'll keep it for when I need to retouch a shot etc...I think it'll be a while before I can retouch a print/neg lol
 
I can probably find enough bits to get you printing by the weekend, I assume you have stop and fix from film deving, I can give you some paper dev and hopefully find some trays and a bit of paper for you :)

You will need a new set of VC filters, some of them are pretty faded, most are fine though.

PM me some contact details and I'll ring you later.
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Scanning on the V500 isn't cutting it for me but I think it's partially my fault. I'll keep it for when I need to retouch a shot etc...I think it'll be a while before I can retouch a print/neg lol
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It scans wet prints very well, keeps a lot of detail in them at reasonable resolutions
 
robhooley167 said:
It scans wet prints very well, keeps a lot of detail in them at reasonable resolutions
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Hmmm, that might be an option I hadn't yet considered. Maybe I'll get better results scanning an 8x10 print and retouching that rather than scanning a neg and working with that. Food for thought!
 
puggie said:
I can probably find enough bits to get you printing by the weekend, I assume you have stop and fix from film deving, I can give you some paper dev and hopefully find some trays and a bit of paper for you :)

You will need a new set of VC filters, some of them are pretty faded, most are fine though.

PM me some contact details and I'll ring you later.
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Stunning! Wow, I'm a bit excited now! :D

I've got everything from film devving, so plenty of stop and fix :thumbs:

Do I need an "easel" and other stuffs?

PM you now

Thanks again!
 
Will chat later after I've had a rummage through my stash of crap to see how much I can chuck your way.

EDIT: found:
Enlarger w holders for 35mm and 6x6 (which will probably file out to 6x7) and condensers for both
Timer
Lenses
safe light,
3x 8X10 trays
paper, agfa neutol dev,

somewhere I have a tatty but functional 8x10 easel
might have a contact sheet maker, but not sure if it 35mm or 120 and will need new foam.
 
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cant remember why , but i've got an idea i read somewhere that you shouldnt use the same fixer that you use for films as you use for prints ,,,so keep one bottle for films and another bottle for the prints ,,it can be the same make / brand but just dont use the same bottle for both.
i dont use an easel just lay the paper on the board with a glass sheet over it and no borders
 
It's a different dilution, film 1+4 and paper 1+9 or vice versa, which is why you should use different solutions
 
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I'll donate a copy of Gene Nocon's book if you PM your address.
 
i think the fixer question is about silver carry over onto the paper print

First, it is common practice not to use the same fixer for film and paper. Modern films contain a lot of silver iodide which exhausts the fixer faster and can build up a lot of by-products not good for paper. Plus, it is a pain to calculate capacity when using the same fix for both. I would recommend against it.

the above nicked from another forum

it may be worth reading up on two bath fixing as well
 
I use all my chems as one shot anyway. A bit of a waste I know but I don't dev consistently and currently lack storage space
 
Really can't thank you all enough. Top bunch of guys. F&C brrrrrap brrrrap! Lmao. (joking)
 
Hi all,

Thanks to Puggie I'm now the proud owner of pretty much everything I need to start printing! Thanks again fella for sorting me out, especially the dev and paper etc!

Now.....where to begin :D
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Now.....where to begin :D
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suggest the mrs pops out to see her mates and run an extension lead under the bathroom door maybe :)

Have fun and I'm not responsible for the fallout when your trying to hide a floorstanding DeVere in the corner :)
 
I have let you down Danny, I have not got the grain magnifier and book off to you as I said. This is partly due to the fact that I have a gert big bandage on my foot and also that I completely forgot. I will get it packed up and in the post on Monday for you.
 
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