5x7 Enlargers - Suggestions, Prices?

[Herb Cunningham]

I have a Durst 8x10, actually a 10x10. They are really good, massive and not easy to move or install. Mine has about 9 feet plus a few inches overall height.

Durst is hard to beat, although parts and accessories are very $$$$

I have a Beseler 8x10 which I am selling, it is a tad bigger than a 4x5.

[Eric Woodbury]

For 5x7 I'm using the Beseler 8x10 with Aristo light cold light. I have had to modify the enlarger quite a bit to get all the adjustments necessary for fine focus. That said, it is a fine enlarger and not that big. The oversized light source is nice as I don't have to burn the edges of my prints ...it is very even.

Beseler also made a 5x7 color head that is pretty good for 5x7, altho not as even.

A friend had an old Elwood. A bit of a beast, but it was a good unit and I don't expect it would be very expensive.

Have fun.

[alec4444]

Thnaks, guys this is a really helpful start. I don't actually have room yet for a 5x7 enlarger, but we just got a storage unit for some other stuff, and the prices seem really really good. So I might seize the day of I find something good....

--A

[Kirk Gittings]

I never owned one. Was not the Zone VI a 5x7?

[Clyde Rogers]

I never owned one. Was not the Zone VI a 5x7?

Yes, and it was supposed to be a pretty nice enlarger. I never used (or even saw) the Zone VI.

--clyde

[neil poulsen]

Yes, and it was supposed to be a pretty nice enlarger. I never used (or even saw) the Zone VI.

--clyde

Just so there's no mistake, the Type I was an oversized 4x5 and never originally designed as a 5x7. The Type I has a single column to the negative stage.

The Type II (two columns) was a redesigned Type I that could handily enlarge 5x7 negatives.

[Hany Aziz]

Another vote for a Durst 138. Very solid and a pleasure to use.

Sincerely,

Hany.