Which enlarger for a beginner?

[Chad]

I'd like to make the transition into doing my own developing and printing at home (instead of at the community college). I have been using a Bessler 23C III with a digital control box. I am overwhelmed by all the enlargers available so any guidance would be appreciated.

I plan on working with B&W only, would want a maximum print size of at least 8"x10", and would like to occasionally do 120 film or even 4x5. Does switching film sizes only require a different negative carrier?

I forgot to mention, I'm planning on buying used. Would something like this one print B&W? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300102710964&rd=1&rd=1#ebayphotohosting



thanks everyone ;)


~Chad

[NickTrop]

Omega B22. But maxes at 8X10. Common, simple, well-made. 135 and 6x6 negs. Good thing about it is parts are readily available. It's a condenser enlarger. Love mine.

[erikhaugsby]

If you've used the 23C and are comfortable with it I wouldn't suggest changing too much. I've a 23C II and love it; only problem is it doesn't go LF.

[Chad]

Omega B22. But maxes at 8X10. Common, simple, well-made. 135 and 6x6 negs. Good thing about it is parts are readily available. It's a condenser enlarger. Love mine.
Thanks, I'll look into that. Can it do sizes between 35mm and 6x6?



If you've used the 23C and are comfortable with it I wouldn't suggest changing too much. I've a 23C II and love it; only problem is it doesn't go LF.
I'm really new to all of this; what's an "LF"?




thanks.

~Chad

[Chad]

What affect does different focal length enlarger lenses (say 35mm vs 50mm) have on printing?



~Chad

[wontonny]

Thanks, I'll look into that. Can it do sizes between 35mm and 6x6?




I'm really new to all of this; what's an "LF"?




thanks.

~Chad

large format

[Ossifan]

I agree that using the enlarger you are most comfortable with is a good idea and add that, in addition to a different negative carrier, you will need a different lens for MF negatives (50mm for 35mm negatives and 75 or 80mm for MF negatives, if memory serves). Also, the enlarger you linked to on eBay looks nice and seems to have a fair amount of accessories.

Cheers,
Alex

[sattva]

What affect does different focal length enlarger lenses (say 35mm vs 50mm) have on printing?
~Chad

Normally 50mm enlarger lens used for printing 35mm negs, 75/80mm is good for 6x4.5/6x6 negs and so on, you got the idea.
Some people use longer lenses to print smaller negs (80mm lens to print 35mm negs), mainly to use central part of the glass only, and to have longer exposures, but this is a fine-tuning, you probably want to start from the classics.

[Chad]

Thanks everyone for the input. Do enlarger lenses have a mount shared by most of the enlarger manufacturers?




~Chad

[Jerevan]

Most enlarger lenses have a 39 mm thread size. Every enlarger brand has its own way of attaching the enlarger lens. This is a good resource where you can find out more: www.apug.org. Hope that helps a bit.

[Chad]

Most enlarger lenses have a 39 mm thread size. Every enlarger brand has its own way of attaching the enlarger lens. This is a good resource where you can find out more: www.apug.org (http://www.apug.org). Hope that helps a bit.


Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, I get an error message when I begin the registration process. :confused: Oh well, I can still look around.


~Chad

[Jerevan]

If you have trouble registering, go to "Home" in the menu bar on the upper part of the pages, click "Contact us" and submit a ticket there, and one of the mods will help you out.

[ruben]

I'd like to make the transition into doing my own developing and printing at home (instead of at the community college). I have been using a Bessler 23C III with a digital control box. I am overwhelmed by all the enlargers available so any guidance would be appreciated.

I plan on working with B&W only, would want a maximum print size of at least 8"x10", and would like to occasionally do 120 film or even 4x5. Does switching film sizes only require a different negative carrier?

I forgot to mention, I'm planning on buying used. Would something like this one print B&W? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300102710964&rd=1&rd=1#ebayphotohosting



thanks everyone ;)



~Chad



Hi Chad,

Accoding to my professioal experience here, there is no such a thing like 'enlargers for beginners'. The enlargers are a very simple device even in their most sophisticated samples.

But there is a mistake beginners may do and I have no words to describe its harmfull implications, and it is buying a low quality enlarger lens.

Through the process of printing, from print to print, from test strip to test strip, thousand of times, you will be automatically educating or refining your eye vision of sharpness, contrast and tone. With a low quality lens you will turn this process into a very long and much useless one, with all the waist in paper ($) and time.

You do not need to buy the most expensive around. But a Nikkor is a must to start with.

Cheers,
Ruben

[Bryce]

I'd put one point out- although the brand of the enlarger doesn't matter too much, getting a common one is a good idea. You aren't too likely to need repair parts other than a bulb, but neg carriers and lens boards can be tiresome to fabricate yourself.
For that reason I say stick with a major brand.
I'll also second Ruben's comment about a good lens. Cheapies aren't worthwhile. In a pinch, by the way, you can use your 50mm or longer m39 lenses for 35mm, though they aren't designed for macro/ enlarging.

[Chad]

I'll also second Ruben's comment about a good lens. Cheapies aren't worthwhile. In a pinch, by the way, you can use your 50mm or longer m39 lenses for 35mm, though they aren't designed for macro/ enlarging.


Bryce, sorry if I'm confusing things. Are you saying that I could use my LTM camera lenses on the enlarger but its not recommended?


~Chad

[f/stopblues]

Here's a couple thoughts from my (small bit of) experience.

Buy an enlarger for the biggest format you think you might do in the future. If you already have visions of 4x5 on the horizon then its best to go ahead and get one of those. Generally speaking, an enlarger will handle any format below its maximum size. As has been mentioned, you'll have to change the lens for each format. There's general standards for the respective formats.

One benefit to this approach is that most 4x5 large format enlargers are more robust than even the medium format ones. This is a benefit to you because just as you need stability on a tripod for long exposures, you need stability in your enlarger head for a long exposure onto the paper. Vibration, swaying, etc will reduce sharpness in your print. More robust, of course, means more weight and larger size, so that may be something to consider. The 4x5 enlargers also tend to have a higher max head height which translates to larger prints for you.

Whatever you get, be sure to find a nice sturdy place to put it and learn how to check and adjust alignment. Those are two critical aspects to a sharp print. Enlargers are usually more of a long-term investment than some other photographic equipment, so its good to get something worthwhile up front. Really, with prices these days on darkroom equipment, it doesn't take much to get a nice outfit. Ruben's advice about lenses is excellent as well!

Good luck and have fun!

[oftheherd]

If you are serious about enlarging 4x5 negatives, you will need a 4x5 enlarger. Ebay has several like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/4X5-OMEGA-D5-ENLARGER_W0QQitemZ330109115226QQihZ014QQcategoryZ2 9985QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem listed in the $200 dollar range. They may well be bid up. Then there is the shipping. Note this one doesn't have lenses nor even negative carriers. I used to use the Omega D2 in Korea and loved it. However, I never used it for 4x5, only 35mm and MF. You might want to consider the Bessler you saw and if you are sure you want LF later, sell it and get an Omega or Bessler in the 4x5 range. There are other brands too, such as Durst. No matter what you get, you are bound to want to buy some accessories for it. All those things cost money. Not to discourage you, just prepare you. And do get a good lens as mentioned.

Have you considered a scanner that does 4x5? Granted that isn't fiber based printing in a darkroom, but may be cheaper.

Good luck.

[Chad]

Have you considered a scanner that does 4x5? Granted that isn't fiber based printing in a darkroom, but may be cheaper.

Good luck.


I was thinking it would be nice to print from 4x5 because I have access to the camera but now I'm thinking of not persuing 4x5 printing capabilities because of the size and the relatively few times I'd use it. If I want to go that route, I might buy a scanner like you mentioned.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm learning a lot.


~Chad

[Bryce]

Chad-
Since the standard thread is the same between enlargers and LTM cameras, yes. You can use a LTM lens on an enlarger.
It may not focus (not enough bellows travel is possible in the enlarger is possible) and as I said, the lens won't be optimized for the job.
Does anyone here know the history of this? Is the same thread used because Leica produced enlargers early on that allowed the normal lens to be used to enlarge prints? Or something like that?

[Chad]

*update*

I found a clean old Beseler 23C II on Cragslist. I was expecting to just get an enlarger and lens but it came with an extra 6x9 negative carrier, Componon 105mm f/5.6 lens, timer, print dryer, developing trays, developing tank, photo paper, user manual, original purchase reciept, print squeegee, negative squeegee, extra enlarger bulbs, darkroom red lights, easel, contrast filters, and a few other things that I can't identify.

The lens that's mounted on the enlarger is a 50mm f/3.5 El Omegar lens. How is this lens? Should I spring for an El Nikkor 50mm?

How it the Componon 105mm f/5.6 lens? It might be a while before I use this lens.


~Chad

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44144&d=1177218371

[erikhaugsby]

*update*

I found a clean old Beseler 23C II on Cragslist.


Good choice, same vintage as mine.

I can't comment on the Omegar lens, but I've an El-Nikkor 50/3.5 and can't fault it.
The Componon-S is a Schneider design, see a pnut discussion here (http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=004G6c) about resolution/aperatures (of a 50mm lens, not the 105).

[sepiareverb]

Chad- enlarger lenses are going very cheap these days- go for a good one- it really does make a lot of difference. I really like the Nikkor 50/2.8 a whole lot. These are all over ebay. I much prefer the older nikon lenses in metal barrels for the shorter lengths (50, 80 & 105). The Omegar is only a fair lens in comparison the the Nikkors. You'll see the difference in an 810. The Schneider should be great- I've not used this one, but had the 135 version for a long time & liked it very much.

One thing to check as you're printing with a 23c is that the condenser is set at the correct height for the format- that is done with the upper large knob- be sure the pointer on the right side is lined up with the format you're printing. Much better, more even illumination of the neg. Some of the older ones get a bit loose here, and can creep downward on their own. A rebuild kit is available for this enlarger, all the gears and bushings can get replaced quite easily, making the thing feel like new in many ways. If you have troubles with the raising & lowering or focus adjustments the rebuild kit is the fix. B&H sells them.

Various heads are available for this enlarger also- color heads & VC. As long as you are careful with the sheet filters I would avoid the current VC head. Beselers quality control seems to have really gone downhill in the last few years. We have 2 of the newer style VC heads at work and they are not nearly as robust as the old Beseler stuff. I've had to get them apart to repair several times in the past 2 years.

Enjoy! Nothing like working in your own darkroom after years in a gang one- everything where you want it, where you left it, and never full when you want it!

[ChrisPlatt]

A nice accessory for your 23C is the Negatrans, a clever device
that allows you to select any frame on a 35mm negative strip
without removing the carrier or touching the negatives.

Chris

[Bill K.]

This might be another good link to explore.

http://www.classic-enlargers.com/

Regards,

Bill K.

[Chad]

Thanks everyone. I'll start looking for an El Nikkor.

What does the little bit of red on the frame tapemeasure indicate?


~Chad

[sepiareverb]

Not positive, but I think that's where the head assembly must be set to do the wall projection. A feature I've never used on any enlarger I've ever run.

[stefan_dinu]

How about Durst M800? Is it ok for a starter? The price 350E (whole kit with lens and condensers) in Europe (no shiping extra) is ok? With the collour head I can print BW?