sick of scanning want to take the plunge into printing.. what's a small enlarger

[heespharm]

So as i still live in a apartment with very limited space... I was wondering if you all knew of an enlarger that can disassemble and hide under the sink or something????


THEN if you guys know of a good online or book resource where I can learn how to print??


I guess some relevant info is that I'm only interested in 35mm b/w printing... MAYBE 6x6 printing.. and the largest i'd print is 8x10

[Valerie]

All the enlargers I am familiar with do not disassemble well. I do know of some who keep thier enlargers on a rolling cart in a closet.... wheel it to the bathroom when they want to print.

As far as learning to print, just google it... there are very good instructions online. If you are in the NW Houston area (or don't mind driving) I'd be happy to show you how to print in my darkroom.

[wclavey]

I have to agree with Valerie on the folding up part. I have a student enlargers that is good for 35mm through 6x7 (with the appropriate enlarging lenses) and it plus a dishpan holding the necessary accessories (timer, easel, tongs, trays, lenses, safelight) stack neatly on the top shelf of a regular-sized coat closet. Of course, I am lazy and leave them sitting in the bath tub of our spare bathroom that I use as a dark room, behind the shower curtain - - but my wife makes me put it away and clean it up if company (other than Wayne) comes. But to be honest, it is very easy to tote around, take down & set up. It is a Bogen 22A, made in the 1970s or so, and you see them around for $25-40.

[Valerie]

Vivitar enlarger & lots of darkroom supplies

[venchka]

Geeeeeeeze, you could clean up for me. Or not. Probably not is best. As long as I don't have to move the enlarger to use the facilities as they were intended.

An alternative: Buy a 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 camera and make contact prints.

[heespharm]

hahahah wayne.... leave it to you to suggest the more expensive option.... honestly tho i've been thinking about 4x5... but i think it'll be too expensive to get into

[heespharm]

does anybody have any experience with a durst f30 or f60?? i hear they are compact

[heespharm]

bogen 22a: is this a good price??? does it have everything I need?

BOGEN 22A PHOTO ENLARGER 50 MM LENS - eBay (item 250614434012 end time Apr-19-10 20:30:14 PDT)

[wclavey]

That is not a good price, but it is not bad, either. I suspect it will have the standard Voss enlarging lens, which in my case was not too sharp, and you will want to replace it with something a little better - - send a question and ask what lens it has. You will also need: an enlarger timer, film holders (this enlarger used its own design - - others will not work - - ask a question to see if any are included), and VC filters, if you intend to use variable contrast paper...

Other than that, you will need to supply the usual non-enlarging stuff (trays, tongs, safe light, easel, etc.)

[tropicpine]

Originally Posted by venchka

Buy a 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 camera and make contact prints.

Wayne. Wayne. Wane!

Wait for him to get hooked on what he's got now before hitting him with the hard stuff!

I have a Minolta Model III that is somewhat compact, can do 35mm - 6x7, and is not too bad to disassemble. I would recommend a cart or closet rather than breaking the unit down. Additionally I have modified mine to allow it to enlarge large format without too much trouble*.

* !NOTE: This poster is a known masochist!

[heespharm]

how about this one

DURST M300 35mm Film Enlarger with lens and manual - eBay (item 400116077288 end time Apr-24-10 15:32:18 PDT)


the worst part of looking for a durst enlarger??? having to wade through all the fred durst crap!!

[heespharm]

wow update: was talking to my dad... and he said he had something like that in the garage... turns out I have a working durst enlarger m301 now!!!!! just don't have a negative carrier.. but he had a nikor 50mm f4 lens for it..

then he started pulling out all kinds of crap like patterson tank with 2 reels, safety light manifold, light timer, and an easel for 8x10 5x7 and 3x4

[Valerie]

Congrats on your new darkroom!! We can't wait to see some prints at the next get-together.

You can easily make your neg carrier from black mat board.