Sourcing an Enlarger

[Checkland]

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Hi

 

A friend and I are trying to source parts/kit for setting up a darkroom at home, initially for B & W dev and printing with a view to maybe progressing to colour.

 

Its my responsibility to find the enlarger and having a bit of a headache with so many types to choose from (including Leitz/Leica) we are both used to using durst and kaiser I think, but really want a top quality enlarger at a reasonable price, with a great lens.

 

I would like to pluck for the Leitz enlarger but we both use medium format so thats sort of put the mockers on that idea!

 

Any suggestions for enlarger/ lens combos and where to look for these (aside from ebay) would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ben

[Pintpot]

Hi Ben

It rather depends where you are.

If you are in the UK try 'Black and White Photograhy' magazine. There are some useful adverts in the back pages. If in the North West you could try The Real Camera Co. or David Stephens both in Manchester.

 

I got my Durst, for 35mm & 6x7 my LPL 5x4 and a 16 x 12 slot processor for under £700 some 3 years ago, but that was a private sale. That would be the cheapest way to go. But don't discount ebay as there are some good deals on from time to time.

 

Are you a photographic club member? if so ask around - someone may be selling up. Now is a good time to go back to wet process as because a lot of people are disposing of their kit and going digital, therefore the cost of quality darkroom kit is now very cheap.

 

I hope get what you want!

Cheers:)

Tony

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[MPerson]

Have you tried:

 

Secondhand Darkroom Supplies

[}{B]

For the UK you could try The Real Camera co in Manchester. An Aladdin's cave of all sorts of film equipment.

 

The Real Camera Company - Manchester Camera Retailer

[pico]

[...]

I would like to pluck for the Leitz enlarger but we both use medium format so thats sort of put the mockers on that idea!

[...]

 

Leitz Focomat IIa or Focomat IIc - Medium format up to 9cm+ wide (true 6x9). Later models (color model) has a drawer for filters. Keep in mind, it is a condenser enlarger - a very good condenser enlarger! I've seen one with a color head, but I forgot the brand and how it was mounted. Perhaps someone else can help.

 

I use Nikkor enlarger lenses on it, and do not use autofocus, which doesn't matter because I'm in no rush.

 

If you have plenty of money, get the equivalent NEW at:

http://www.kienzle-phototechnik.de/home_english/enlarger/A-type/A69S_type/a69s_type.html

Edited July 16, 2010 by pico

[AlanG]

I would call institutions and commercial photographers and tell them you'd be glad to take their old darkroom gear off their hands. Eventually someone will say yes. I gave away a professional color darkroom setup to someone on this forum about a year ago. I tried to give it to a school and they told me they were trying to give away their darkroom.

 

A lot of schools, institutions, and corporations are giving away their darkrooms. I saw a pretty nice setup at a workshop in Washington DC where a lot of the gear was pro quality and was donated by the World Bank. Do you have anything like Craig's List or free sites where you live? And labs are closing all the time so call them too.

[JosefSchachner]

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As mentioned above the Leitz 2c can also be equipped with a color head, the company Wallner used to make them. If you are looking for a second hand one, the same heads where also sold for similar enlargers and can fit the 2c, but as there is no Leica tax involved they can be had for a fraction. New heads are available from Heiland and Kinzle. I use a Heiland splitgrade head that also has the color filters and print color and B&W with it. Certainly not cheap, but maybe the best money I ever spent. I also have a V35, which is in my opinion the best enlarger I ever used, if it just could do 6x6………

 

A run down on the 2C:

 

-Very solid build

-Autofocus (but only if set up properly)

-up to 6x9

-Condesor (if you like the look)

-Spareparts are available from Kienzle

-Only the original Leica Lenses will fit (there is a solution where at Kienzle they will modify certain Schneider Lenses to fit the 2c, at a price;-)

 

At the current used market (ebay and private sales) they are still about 2 times what a comparable Durst will cost, and every spare part, negative holder, format mask…will be priced accordingly.

[pico]

[... snip excellent information ...]

 

-Only the original Leica Lenses will fit (there is a solution where at Kienzle they will modify certain Schneider Lenses to fit the 2c, at a price;-)

 

Don't you mean that only the original Leica lenses will work with autofocus? I have Nikkors in my IIa, but do not use autofocus. I have short extension tubes between lenses and mount, but I do not think the are adapters. Maybe I should revisit the setup.

[Checkland]

Cheers everyone for the advice, I should have said I am based in the UK (the way I spell colour might have given that away).

 

All these choices are starting to make my brain fry...

 

I am still studying at university (masters) so the darkroom there might me a good bet to ask, the guy in there is really helpful and knows us both, so maybe he doesn't really need all 20+ enlargers and will 'lend' us one for a slight fee... only downside is it doesn't open 'til Sept!!

 

Cheers again

[tgray]

The new Kaisers look like fantastic enlargers to me, from my point of view in the US. Are they not viewed as high quality?

 

I've had several suggest to me that if you want a no-holds-barred top of the line enlarger, get an LPL 4550XL and be done with it.

[Xmas]

Hi

 

Shoot film until Sept.

 

Noel

P.S. people give me them...