From Focomat 1c to Durst M370 BW?

[Xícara de Café]

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Hi, I've had a Focomat 1c for a few years. I like it a lot but would also like to work with 6x6 and perhaps 6x7 negatives. A Durst M370 BW with condensers for 135 and 120 film as well as 50 and 90mm lenses is up for sale in my city in what looks like mint condition (i don't know yet what masks it has). I don't want two enlargers and would need to sell the Leitz. Assuming I use the same lens for 35mm work, am I likely to see any difference in the quality of the prints?

[M.Hilo]

There is only one way to find out what this particular Durst is about: get it and use it. But I wouldn't sell the Ic until you have your answers. It is a bit tricky to go on the opinions of others, because we're all so different.

Having said that, I had a look at this particular Durst and it looks capable. It would be nice to understand how large you can print with it.

I have the Durst L1000 next to the Leitz enlargers and it is a great enlarger. More so, after I found it's wall mount, because it did not print very large. Perhaps someone who owns the 370 can tell us the maximum size it does? On the baseboard.

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by M.Hilo

[Xícara de Café]

5 hours ago, M.Hilo said:

There is only one way to find out what this particular Durst is about: get it and use it. But I wouldn't sell the Ic until you have your answers. It is a bit tricky to go on the opinions of others, because we're all so different.

Having said that, I had a look at this particular Durst and it looks capable. It would be nice to understand how large you can print with it.

I have the Durst L1000 next to the Leitz enlargers and it is a great enlarger. More so, after I found it's wall mount, because it did not print very large. Perhaps someone who owns the 370 can tell us the maximum size it does? On the baseboard.

 

Thanks, apparently it prints slightly more than 30x40 from a 35mm negative. There's a good review here:

https://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4477

[onelensman]

Print quality is primarily a result of your printing technique and skills. The Leitz Focomat will hold the negative perfectly flat with the condenser (with or without Anti Newton ring glass insert) lowered onto the film. To achieve the same flatness the Durst will need a glass neg carrier if available although the normal glassless carrier is perfectly usable with the possibility of accumulated heat from the lamp warping the middle of the negative. Maybe more of a risk with larger roll film negatives. Both enlargers should produce sharp prints as long as their alignment is perfect and given the same lens. They are after all simple vertical projectors.

 

[Pyrogallol]

Durst 670, like mine, will cover upto 6x7cm negs using 50mm and 80mm lenses.