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Thread: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2006
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    2,588

    Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    That is the question! The Durst comes with an Ilford Multigrade 500, and the Omega comes with a Super Chromega head. Oh, and a dried up lizard.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Parksville, BC Canada
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    103

    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    I've worked with both for a goodly number of years and both are fine enlargers. (My Durst has a colour head rather than the Multigrade head though)

    These days, I prefer the Durst over the Omega based mostly on the difference in fit and finish. It's a precision machine vs. a perfectly acceptable machine (I'm not getting the difference across here...not quite Chevy, Cadillac).

    Either one, based perhaps on pricing, will give you a perfectly usable tool.

    The lizard, I can't comment on.

  3. #3

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    May 2006
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    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Swinnard View Post
    Either one, based perhaps on pricing, will give you a perfectly usable tool.
    Thanks, yeah I tend to agree but I'm thinking of a few years down the road when I need parts/repairs. That Durst electronic keypad thingy doesn't give me comfort.

  4. #4
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
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    18,318

    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    Is the lizard free, or do you have to pay extra for it? Is it a factory original lizard or
    aftermarket?

  5. #5

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    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    Quote Originally Posted by Drew Wiley View Post
    Is the lizard free, or do you have to pay extra for it? Is it a factory original lizard or
    aftermarket?
    I'll check the manual and will get back to you

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    250

    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    The durst chassis is definitely superior to the Omega. However, I'm not a fan of those cold light heads - terribly uneven across the field and variable light output depending on temp. of tubes. Never could understand why people replace good condenser heads with overpriced, underwhelming cold lights. If you made a print of just the lightbox on both enlargers you'd probably choose the omega dichro.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    575

    Re: Durst L1200 or Omega D-5xl?

    The Ilford head uses Halogen globes, not cold light. RH Designs makes a replacement for the keypad controller. I bought both an Omega and an L1200 to get the MG heads from them. I kept the Durst and got rid of the Omega, it was no contest.

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