How was the VCL 4500 head adapted for 5x7 printing?

[Larry Kellogg]

Hello,
I found an eBay auction that showed a VCL 4500 that had been adapted to print 5x7. I find this curious, as the VCL4500 I have is smaller than 5x7! So, how was this done? Is it the same bulb? Here is a few pictures of the modification. Can I do this to my VCL4500 head?

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114726

Larry

[mdarnton]

Is there something missing from your photo? I would expect to see some type of extension box above the normal negative stage, maybe about 4 inches high, with that light source perched on top of it. That's the light source, but you still need a way to raise and embiggen the negative stage for the larger neg and to add some distance for a longer lens.

I've been thinking of doing something similar to turn my 5x7 camera into a temporary enlarger using a diffused-through-1/4"-milky-plexiglas led video light as a light source. You can get one the right size with 500 or 600 leds for about $130.

[Larry Kellogg]

Is there something missing from your photo? I would expect to see some type of extension box above the normal negative stage, maybe about 4 inches high, with that light source perched on top of it. That's the light source, but you still need a way to raise and embiggen the negative stage for the larger neg and to add some distance for a longer lens.

I've been thinking of doing something similar to turn my 5x7 camera into a temporary enlarger using a diffused-through-1/4"-milky-plexiglas led video light as a light source. You can get one the right size with 500 or 600 leds for about $130.

The box you see on top of the thin plate with the diffuser is the light source. The normal round collar is removed from the VCL4500 head and mounted to that thin plate. I had an old Zone VI Type I metal box adapted for use with the VCL4500 but I could not get it to cover 5x7. I also think the bulb was too far away from the negative stage. Here are a few more pictures, including one of the VCL4500 stock with a round bezel.

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Also, there are instructions for adapting the VCL4500 to the Zone VI 5x7. Perhaps I need to get rid of the round bezel and get a 5x7 square diffuser made....hmmm...seems obvious..

I also found this text on the net:

"I use a Zone VI enlarger with an Aristo VCL4500 head. I intended to make up
a bracket
to fix it to the raise head lever but just never got around to it. I just
place the head on top of the neg. carrier
manually. On the whole I'm very pleased with the set-up and certainly
believe that the Aristo is a
better head than the Zone VI I own. Most of my work is 4 x 5 but the 5 x 7
enlargements have shown no
significant fall off problems. Make sure, though,that you get Aristo to
supply the head specially modified for 5 x 7."

I also put my VCL4500 right on the glass carrier for my 5x7 but it certainly does not cover. What did it mean to have Aristo specifically modify the head for 5x7?

Larry

[Larry Kellogg]

Here is a link to the adaptor plate:

http://www.light-sources.com/sites/default/files/vcl4500_adaptor__plate_for_d57_enlarger_info.pdf

and a link to modifying the VCL4500 to 5x7:

http://www.light-sources.com/sites/default/files/vcl4500_adaption__to__zone_vi_enlarger_info..pdf

I suppose I'll never find the adaptor plate and must somehow get one made...

Larry

[Ginette]

Hello,
I found an eBay auction that showed a VCL 4500 that had been adapted to print 5x7. I find this curious, as the VCL4500 I have is smaller than 5x7! So, how was this done? Is it the same bulb? Here is a few pictures of the modification. Can I do this to my VCL4500 head?

114725

114726

Larry

I was curious too. If someone have this Aristo Durst 138 adapter for the VCL4500, does it have a nice coverage with 5x7 negs?

Larry, this adapter was originally done by Aristo. Probably the same bulb as Aristo call this device : VCL4500 Adaptor Plate for D57 Enlarger. To do the same with a regular VCL4500, you need not only to remove the white collar but also the bottom square part. The light is more that 7" square tubes, but not very much larger than that, maybe 7½".

[Larry Kellogg]

I was curious too. If someone have this Aristo Durst 138 adapter for the VCL4500, does it have a nice coverage with 5x7 negs?

Larry, this adapter was originally done by Aristo. Probably the same bulb as Aristo call this device : VCL4500 Adaptor Plate for D57 Enlarger. To do the same with a regular VCL4500, you need not only to remove the white collar but also the bottom square part. The light is more that 7" square tubes, but not very much larger than that, maybe 7½".

Hello Ginette,
This is very good news indeed if I can somehow make this work by removing the white collar. I'm not sure about removing the bottom square part, though. Have you done it? I thought the bulb was in the circular part and that the base contained all the wiring.

If anyone has one of those adaptor plates lying around, I sure could use it. Otherwise, I will need to get something fabricated.

What should I use for the diffuser panel?

Larry

[Ginette]

Hello Ginette,
This is very good news indeed if I can somehow make this work by removing the white collar. I'm not sure about removing the bottom square part, though. Have you done it? I thought the bulb was in the circular part and that the base contained all the wiring.

If anyone has one of those adaptor plates lying around, I sure could use it. Otherwise, I will need to get something fabricated.

What should I use for the diffuser panel?

Larry

No the light bulbs are square and are in the square base, more than 1" of the plexiglas diffuser. You have to remove the bottom square cap too (look at the picture you posted, you have screws on the side of the unit) because if you remove only the round white, you will miss the corners illumination. Yes I remove the round white part on mine to see how the grid are. I don't remove the bottom cover as I don't know if I will do the 5x7 modification but I think it will be easy to do. This is probably how Aristo did for the 5x7 version.
I don't thing you will find the adapter plate alone because I think it was sold with the VCL4500 in a kit already assemblied for the Durst 5x7. The one you posted was sold for over 1,000$ if I remind so it will be cheaper to found a VCL4500 for the Beseler and make your own plate. As I remember you don't have Durst 138 but ZoneVI enlargers so you will have to adapt the original plate anyway. I think if you use wood to make a solid frame and double the bottom with matte black ABS sheet (you will be able to make square opening easily in this material.
A right material for the white diffusion sheet "Makrolon® LD polycarbonate sheet, .118” (3mm) thickness, Std color B-48 white" as suggested by Jerry in this post http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?106071-Customized-8x10-Codelite-LED-Head-for-Variable-Contrast&p=1056250&viewfull=1#post1056250

[Larry Kellogg]

No the light bulbs are square and are in the square base, more than 1" of the plexiglas diffuser. You have to remove the bottom square cap too (look at the picture you posted, you have screws on the side of the unit) because if you remove only the round white, you will miss the corners illumination. Yes I remove the round white part on mine to see how the grid are. I don't remove the bottom cover as I don't know if I will do the 5x7 modification but I think it will be easy to do. This is probably how Aristo did for the 5x7 version.
I don't thing you will find the adapter plate alone because I think it was sold with the VCL4500 in a kit already assemblied for the Durst 5x7. The one you posted was sold for over 1,000$ if I remind so it will be cheaper to found a VCL4500 for the Beseler and make your own plate. As I remember you don't have Durst 138 but ZoneVI enlargers so you will have to adapt the original plate anyway. I think if you use wood to make a solid frame and double the bottom with matte black ABS sheet (you will be able to make square opening easily in this material.
A right material for the white diffusion sheet "Makrolon® LD polycarbonate sheet, .118” (3mm) thickness, Std color B-48 white" as suggested by Jerry in this post http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?106071-Customized-8x10-Codelite-LED-Head-for-Variable-Contrast&p=1056250&viewfull=1#post1056250

Ginette,
I can't thank you enough! I have been thinking of this unit in the wrong terms for months. I did not realize it had a square bulb and nobody else pointed that out to be in other discussions. It will be terrific if I can get my head modified to print 5x7. I have someone who is willing to work on the head. I will keep you posted.

Yes, I have a Zone VI 5x7 Type II enlarger. I have another thread on here where I'm asking people if they can think of a way I might adapt condenser head to the Zone VI, but, so far, there are no good solutions. Ideally, I would like both solutions for printing my 5x7 negatives. Sometimes my negatives don't have enough density to produce good prints with a cold light head.

Best,

Larry

[Ginette]

The VCL4500 head is 2 square grids yellow and violet. The oldest CL45 or CL4500 (one actually in the For Sale) is 1 round V54 grid.
No warranty that the square 7½" tube will cover adequately the 5x7 neg without fall out but you will need to be the nearest from the neg in your adapter design.
Feedback from users of the Durst adapter will be welcome.
If you don't have already the VCL4500, maybe you can search for the VCL8100 (8x10) which is already flat design. Casing is about 12x12" x 6"h. Picture here (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/317185-REG/Aristo_VCL8100_C_DUAL_DIM_110V_VCL_8100D_Variable_Contrast.html)
Is this size fit on the ZoneVI, it will be the best choice for an even illumination.

Maybe it is time to finetune your neg exposure and development for your printing material :)

[Larry Kellogg]

I have a VCL 4500. There is an 8100 on eBay but the guy wants $950 for it, and I'm trying to avoid going to something that large, and expensive.

I haven't been shooting large format for that long, so, yes, I need to fine tune my exposure and development so that my negatives print well on a cold light head. I still wish I could have a condenser head for the Zone VI when things don't turn out well. It's nice to have options.

[Adamphotoman]

I used the design from an Ilford Multigrade mixing chamber to adapt a 6X7 Omega light source to an 8X10 home made enlarger. It used both white and silver mylar to both bounce and even out light. Downside is that brightness is reduced.

[Larry Kellogg]

Well, that sounds fascinating! I wonder if I could do something similar for my 5x7 Zone VI enlarger. Is your setup kind of a diffuse light source? I was hoping to figure out some way to put a condenser light source on my enlarger, but no luck so far.

[Andrew O'Neill]

The VCL 4500 just barely covers 4x5. It needs to be mounted so that it is very, very close to the negative otherwise you will get vignetting. You may be able to remove the portal and cut the opening in the box as the tubes are larger than the portal.

[Larry Kellogg]

I believe the VCL4500 covers 5x7 if the round diffuser is removed and half of the box is removed, as described in previous responses.

I'm also looking for a non-cold light solution for the Zone VI 5x7. Any ideas?


Larry

[ic-racer]

I believe the VCL4500 covers 5x7 if the round diffuser is removed and half of the box is removed, as described in previous responses.

I'm also looking for a non-cold light solution for the Zone VI 5x7. Any ideas?


Larry

I count six 5x7 enlarger heads-only on ebay today. This does not include the 5x7 heads that come with a 'free complete enlarger.'

[Larry Kellogg]

I count six 5x7 enlarger heads-only on ebay today. This does not include the 5x7 heads that come with a 'free complete enlarger.'

Funny, I don't see six heads, but which of those heads can I adapt to the Zone VI Type II 5x7 enlarger? Can you give me some hints? I looked at the head of a Durst 138 but don't see how I can make that work.

Larry