Durst Laborator 1200 workarounds.

**Steve Salmons** · 3-Aug-2007, 14:47

I just got a Durst Laborator 1200 with CLS 500 Colour head which was overkill for my black and white 12 x 16 requirements especially the space it takes up in my flat. But for 56 pounds sterling I just couldn't say no.
I intend using it mostly for 5x4 work and the occasional 6x9 neg but it comes only with the 6x6 Femomask although it does have the 450N Femobox. I just read that it's not too difficult to fabricate top masks and use them with a glass plate in the base. Does anyone have any experience of similar workarounds and pitfalls. I would expect the glass to introduce dust and sharpness problems perhaps but it's a long time since I did any home darkroom so I am a little out of touch.
Any tips would be very welcome. Thanks, Steve

**Steve Salmons** · 3-Aug-2007, 15:33

Hi Ash,
Calumet is going great:really pleased with it. I have put a 240mm G Claron on it and the results look good although I am limited to printing onto POP at the moment. Hence the Durst enlarger purchase. I just spent the entire afternoon moving stuff around in my study to give me space to use it here.
Did you ever get any results off the 330mm Cooke Apochromatic when you had it? I have great hopes for this lens but haven't got round to shooting anything with it yet.
Not sure if any of the Beseler bits can be used with the Durst. I will need to dig around to find out what's what first and if there's anything useful Iwill get back to you.
Cheers, Steve