Bulbs for enlarger and darkroom

[RML]

Not long ago I got an enlarger and today I started setting up the darkroom in our laundry room.

I found out that a) the bulb in the enlarger isn't working anymore and that b) that the red light is starting to flake. Not much but still. So, I'm in need of two new bulbs.

What kind of bulb can I use in the enlarger? It takes regular light bulbs, so can I just get any 75 or 100 watt light bulb?

What to do about the red light? Is it a problem that 2-3 tiny flakes came off? Or should I get a new red light? If so, does anyone know a place (in Amsterdam, or the internet) where to get one?

[payasam]

Printing on the bulb in an enlarger can show up on the exposed paper. You might need to buy a bulb from a shop that deals in photographic supplies. Do you not have instructions for your enlarger? They often include brand names and specifications.

[Steve Litt]

Hi,
Retrophotographic here in the UK are internet based and have served me well in the past.

Regards
Steve
http://www.retrophotographic.com/darkroom_accessories.htm

[fidget]

A while ago, I replaced the bulb in the B&W housing on my Opemus5a. I made sure that I got a pearl finish bulb of the same rating, but then had to get a much lower rated bulb to get the exposure times above a few seconds.
I'm not sure if the bulb was unsuitable, but my work (learner status) didn't seem to suffer and I appeared to get the full range of contrast using the Ilford filters.

Dave...

[markinlondon]

Ebay should get you a Photax or Paterson dome safelight for a few Euros. They use pigmy bulbs like the lights in fridges. Fotoimpex would probably be best for enlarger bulbs.

[RML]

Thanks people! I lost track of this thread, but I'm glad you didn't. :)