What are good 5 x 7 enlargers?
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What are good 5 x 7 enlargers?
An Omega E-5 with a cold light head works well for BW but are very difficult to find anymore. However, they're big enough that shipping by USPS, FedEx, etc would be a major problem compared to picking up with your own vehicle. The heavy double-rail column alone is 5+ feet, in addition to the enlarger head and wall-mount pedestal. I'm not aware of 5x7 enlargers that are markedly smaller. You might consider getting a good film scanner instead and then digitally printing.
There are still aged 5x7 Elwoods around. Elwoods are darned good machines for the price, IMHO.
Were there ever any 'bad' 5x7 enlargers?
There are 'outdated' heads that can be difficult to use.
Attachment 247260
Think Intrepid will ever make an enlarger kit for their 5x7? I’ve inquired a couple of times about it, the first time they said it wasn’t in the works. The second time they never responded. Might fill a niche.
I have a 5 x 7 Devere enlarger that I think is remarkable.
I used a 5x7 Elwood for basic B&W enlarging for several decades. It sat on the floor of a low ceiling darkroom. Other than that, it was satisfactory.
I've just refurbished and installed a Durst 138 S in a small darkroom. The Durst's are big but less of a beast that the DeVere. You probably won't see one at a reasonable price in the US though.
I've refurbished an Omega E-3, including a replica of the enlarging table, using catalog photos as a guide. The E-3 was made under Military Contract, not available to the general public. Then Came the E-4 and E-5. The 5x7 Omegalite is from an Omega E-4. The enlarger was designed to be pushed horizontally against a wall, so the enlarger is approached from the right side, in order to reach all the controls. In my darkroom, it is installed vertically, due to my darkroom footprint.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...44da5267_h.jpgDarkroom Renovation Phase 2 No 6 by Nokton48, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5655a3fe_h.jpgE3 CLA 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr
These are original E-3 Negative Carriers in my collection. I've added quite a few more since this photo was taken.
I used to have an Eastman Kodak 5x7 autofocus enlarger, with reducing attachment. It was heavy cast iron that consisted of 3 parts that bolted together - the base, lower column, and upper column with the enlarger and counterweights.
Attachment 247287