Using an enlarger/making prints

philxthomas

philxthomas

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A very generous friend of mine just gave me a load of darkroom equipment. I think it is actually all the darkroom equipment you might need, from developing to printing, only missing the chemicals. The enlarger is a Durst M305. The problem is, I have absolutely no idea how to use any of it. I have a few old books and have been searching online but all the guides seem to gloss over a lot of the steps, assuming you have some idea of how things work (eg. "put the finished print in the chemicals, then the fixer, and you're done etc...". What chemicals? What is fixer? What??).

Can anyone point me to any good online resources for this sort of thing? I do plan on getting to developing film eventually but for now I'd like to begin with just making some enlargements of some already developed B&W negatives.
 
Not sure where you are, but if near Manchester you are welcome to visit and I can go through the process with you in my darkroom.
 
Thanks very much for the offer! I'm up in Newcastle though. I did think about finding someone to teach me though..
 
get hold of your local camera club they are sure to have some one who can help cheers mike. or check out the library /utube etc also this is a colour enlarger are you talking colour or black and white best to start with black and white which this enlarger will do just start with all the dials at 0.

here.....
 
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I have a pdf manual for a Durst M605 (very similar to the 305) if that's any use ?
 
Don't know about on-line, but The Darkroom Handbook by Michael Langford is still published and covers most of it.

Have to say though, getting negatives from a roll of film is a lot easier than getting prints from a load of negatives, mostly due to the amount of light-tight space you need to get going.
 
There are some good suggestions above. Don't stress, black and white wet printing is pretty straightforward. I was doing this with a friend in his father's darkroom when we were about 12 or 13, and we worked most of it for ourselves with a couple of library books. It does take a bit of practice and experience to get the best results though, like most things, and colour is more complicated. Enjoy yourself!
 
Thanks for the advice, still confused but will continue researching.

First thing I need though is a new bulb for the Durst M305. Are these thing really specific or is there a general 'enlarger bulb' I can buy? Can't find anywhere to buy either at the minute..
 
Has it got a colour or B/W head ?

The colour head will have three filters built in.
 
Thanks, got hold of the original manual and you are correct, it needs a 12 volt 100 watt tungsten halogen lamp. Might just be me but I can't seem to find any on the web, anyone know where I can get one?

Also, the manual mentions it also takes a Opal Lamp that looks like a normal light bulb in the diagram, is this just a standard bulb? Doesn't say about any voltage or wattage..
 
The tungsten halogen lamp will fit the colour head, the opal lamp will be for the B/W head.

Don't know where they are available though ....
 
try here as lpl were another great enlarger maker from the 70/80s when i was using a durst m605 as stated above check the wattage/voltage if i recall 12v 100w seems about right tip 1 do not touch the front of the lamp if you put a finger print on it it will blow a few days later.can i ask "is it all there slide/film carrier" lens etc. you will probably need a focus finder as well as judging sharp focus in subdued light is difficult hth mike the item i have found here may be available in the uk but this looks just like the one i had. it also says on the side of the box in the photo dichrioc which was always on my lamps when purchased hth mike


http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-12V-Qu...937?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item58a0920431
 
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dinorock said:
try here as lpl were another great enlarger maker from the 70/80s when i was using a durst m605 as stated above check the wattage/voltage if i recall 12v 100w seems about right tip 1 do not touch the front of the lamp if you put a finger print on it it will blow a few days later.can i ask "is it all there slide/film carrier" lens etc. you will probably need a focus finder as well as judging sharp focus in subdued light is difficult hth mike the item i have found here may be available in the uk but this looks just like the one i had. it also says on the side of the box in the photo dichrioc which was always on my lamps when purchased hth mike


http://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-12V-Qu...937?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item58a0920431
Click to expand...

That looks like the halogen lamp i need, thanks!
 
So if I just want to do B&W then I don't need the halogen lamp? Just the opal?
 
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Ah right, yeah I probably forgot to say I only want to do B&W, at least to begin with. It is a colour head and seems to take both bulbs.

Thanks for the help! I will open it up and see whats in there already, not sure if the bulbs are blown or just missing.

Yeah thats pretty much the same one I have except at the top mine reads 'Durst Cls305' rather than 'Durst M305 Colour'
 
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have you checked for an on/off switch on the back of the head or the side of the mains unit?
 
There is no switch, there is a small red light on the front of the head that comes on when I plug it in so somethings working. Anyway, here are some pics, it kinds looks like there would only be room for one bulb. The little circular black cup thing in the last pic is removable also...

http://28fixed.com/img/durst.jpghttp://28fixed.com/img/durst1.jpg
http://28fixed.com/img/durst1.jpghttp://28fixed.com/img/durst2.jpg
http://28fixed.com/img/durst2.jpghttp://28fixed.com/img/durst3.jpg
http://28fixed.com/img/durst3.jpg
 
You've defo got the colour head there. Only a Tungsten Hal lamp needed. Ignore references to Opal lamps - they apply to the B&W head.

You can use the Colour head (the one you've got) to print B&W as well as colour, but you can only print B&W on the B&W head. The colour head filters can be used with variable contract papers - I think the values are shown in the manual.

As mentioned in a previous post you will need a negative carrier which slides in between the base and the Colour head (when fitted).
 
defo a halogen lamp its right there in the pic take it out if its blown you'll know straight away usually siiver inside when blown as stated have you got a neg carrier very important?
 
Yep got the carrier, just took it out to get the pics. Think I'm finally starting to understand this all, thanks a lot for your help.
 
some basics for you to make the print larger turn the knob on the side of the column to move the entire head up/down,if you want massive (lol) you can turn the head 90degrees and project on to the wall. to focus you move the focusing bellows as seen in you pic. the red filter keeps your paper "safe" until you are ready for your exposure. you can(just like a camera) have different lenses 35/50/80mm being the norm.if you need any help with this at any time just pm me happy to help. ps i'm off work till 7th jan double hernia op so very available.:lol:
 
Great, thanks very much! I'll get the lamp ordered. Can't wait to get started. Good luck with the op too!
 
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