Current 4x5 enlarger options

[Ed G]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the LF forum, researching options before I make my initial purchases. Currently I shoot medium format in a few different cameras. A big part of my attraction to LF is to be able to print in my home darkroom (I have a Beseler Dichro 67s enlarger). So before I buy a 4x5 camera, I'd like to plan how I will print my work. Of course I can make negative scans and crank out images on my Canon inkjet, but my priority is to create prints in the darkroom.

From what I can tell, my 4x5 enlarger options are:

1. Watch eBay, Craigslist etc. for 4x5 enlargers, potentially driving several hours to pick up a used unit in person.
2. On their website, Intrepid Cameras shows that they are working on a "version 2" enlarger kit for their 4x5 cameras. I'm fairly interested in their 4x5 cameras as an entry point to LF anyway, so getting a matching enlarger kit seems like a decent path. Any feedback from those that have used their version 1 4x5 enlarger kit will be appreciated.

If anyone has additional ideas/paths to being able to make enlarged 4x5 prints in the darkroom, please let me know.

Thanks in advance...

[Michael R]

I guess it depends on your budget. I don't have any experience with Intrepid. Option 1 likely entails time/work (find something which meets your needs and is in good condition etc.). There is of course also option 3 (new enlarger) but that will obviously be a lot more money than the other options.

[Corran]

You might want to tell us or put where you are in your bio.

Enlarger availability used varies greatly by location.

[Oren Grad]

You can still buy 4x5 enlargers new, but they're very expensive - mid-to-high $$$$ - and rarely kept in stock by dealers any more, so you may need to wait a few weeks for product to ship from the factory or distributor.

[Exploring Large Format]

I have Intrepid Mark IV camera, and other cameras. Had their version 1 Enlarger for 4x5. Then scored a Beseler 45MXII for free via CL, but after months of trying. Sold Intrepid Version 1 Enlarger here.

My take: their version 2 Enlarger seems very promising; substantially different from version 1. Version 1 was well-built and designed well for the purpose. Smart for what it was. Just like their cameras. Used with copy stand. Great for my beginning into 4x5.

But when I did score the Beseler (included scads of negative carriers, paper, chemicals galore--mostly going to dump--bottles, developing tanks for 35mm/120, paper safes, timer, etc.), I could see why a solid enlarger, dedicated for LF, makes sense. Assuming you have space for dedicated Enlarger.

But if I were to do it again, I'd go for the Intrepid Enlarger Version 1 or 2 for 4x5 (is it coming soon? ) AND keep my eye on CL for that score. No telling when it will come, but eventually it will. Easy then to sell the Intrepid Enlarger down the road, or not.

Diligence + Luck + Patience = pay off via CL for Enlargers, sinks, expired paper, accouterments. But Intrepid in meantime works!

Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk

[sharktooth]

Finding a copy stand that's tall and robust enough for an Intrepid Camera is probably going to be harder than finding a decent 4x5 enlarger. Using a 4x5 camera on a tripod as an enlarger is too awkward to make any practical sense. I can't imagine anyone would do this unless there was no other alternative. On the other hand, the Intrepid LED light source looks like it would be very useful if it could be adapted to a conventional enlarger, since you can change the color balance without risking "jiggling" the enlarger while making adjustments (for split filter printing).

[Drew Wiley]

A way better copy stand can be made from an enlarger column itself, as opposed to official copystands. A Durst 130 is especially easy to convert. My present copystand is something I turned into an intergral option to my working L184 enlarger, replete with modern LED rim lights. I threw away my old Bencher stand, and removed my good ole truly hot hot-lighting. ... Not precisely the answer the poster was seeking, but an example of how killing two birds with one stone is often the more economical and space-saving way to go, especially if you get a 184 for free like I did. Scaled down to 4X5/5X7 size, there are plenty of used 138's out there needing just at little TLC to get back another 50 yrs of dependable performance.

[Ulophot]

Since you're in a city area, you may be able to supplement waiting for CL -- although, you might get lucky and find a perfect enlarger there soon -- by making a few inquiries. There are many enlargers sitting in closets or other storage, because for some it's too muchtrouble to pull out the enlarger to photograph and then post it, but they don't want to send it to the junk yard. You might try calling such places as older photography studios, senior center (retired pros), colleges or high schools, camera clubs. you may get some good leads. A classified as in a local paper -- online or otherwise -- might also work, for very little cost. Either way, it seems to me that, since you apparently have a darkroom already anyway, your best bet may be to give it a little time and wait to get one fairly locally that will handle all your needs.

[djphoto]

Finding a copy stand that's tall and robust enough for an Intrepid Camera is probably going to be harder than finding a decent 4x5 enlarger. Using a 4x5 camera on a tripod as an enlarger is too awkward to make any practical sense. I can't imagine anyone would do this unless there was no other alternative. On the other hand, the Intrepid LED light source looks like it would be very useful if it could be adapted to a conventional enlarger, since you can change the color balance without risking "jiggling" the enlarger while making adjustments (for split filter printing).

Large copy stands are pretty easy to find, but they aren't cheap... $300+ for one the size he'd need. I've been using a Smith Victor 42" Copy Stand with my speedgraphic/graflarger setup and it's plenty sturdy enough. The Intrepid enalrger is about half the weight of that.

[HMG]

I have no experience with the Intrepid, but my general bias is that some built to perform a task works better than something adapted to perform a task.

Put up WTB ads. Monitor Facebook Marketplace as well as CL and ebay. Like Ulophot says, your enlarger is out there. Make the rounds of serious photo stores - even if they don't do much film/darkroom business, there may be someone there that "knows a guy".

[neil poulsen]

Craigslist is good, to avoid shipping costs. I just sold a Zone VI 5x7 enlarger, and it's a fairly heavy enlarger. But even for that sized enlarger, I was surprised to see that shipping costs are going to be about $350! What really drove up the costs was the size of the packaging. I think that each of the three main packages is oversized, and that almost doubles cost of shipping.

Occasionally, I'll see a 4x5 enlarger for sale on Craigslist. For example, get the chassis on Craigslist list, and get the ligher things, like the head, timer, negative carriers, etc., on EBay.

[maltfalc]

i got a beseler 23c from a school for free. took like half an hour to modify it to cover 4x5.

[Ed G]

Thanks everyone for all of the valuable input. Since I do have a darkroom (converted basement bathroom), I will keep watching for a true 4x5 enlarger. I also happen to have an extra (mostly functional) enlarger that I could convert/use the column to hold the Intrepid unit if that becomes viable. Can't wait until 30 days have passed so I can see the classifieds here on the forum (looking for a 4x5 camera & lenses as well).

[Ed G]

i got a beseler 23c from a school for free. took like half an hour to modify it to cover 4x5.

@maltfalc - any chance you care to share some of what is required to make a conversion? I have an extra Beseler Dichro 67 head on a double track column that sure does seem to have the reach I would want to enlarge a 4x5. I just don't know the process to adapt it. I have both a 6x7 and a 35mm mixing chamber for it.

[maltfalc]

@maltfalc - any chance you care to share some of what is required to make a conversion? I have an extra Beseler Dichro 67 head on a double track column that sure does seem to have the reach I would want to enlarge a 4x5. I just don't know the process to adapt it. I have both a 6x7 and a 35mm mixing chamber for it.
i removed the condenser lens and added a sheet of milky white plastic just above the negative stage inside the upper bellows to make it a diffusion head and since the negative stage has a 5" round hole i just needed to cut out some extra wedges to expose a 5x4 rectangle. from the photos i've seen the 67 may be too small.

[Ed G]

i removed the condenser lens and added a sheet of milky white plastic just above the negative stage inside the upper bellows to make it a diffusion head and since the negative stage has a 5" round hole i just needed to cut out some extra wedges to expose a 5x4 rectangle. from the photos i've seen the 67 may be too small.

OK thanks...I'll take a close look and measure what I have. I appreciate your input!

[ic-racer]

Plan on a day's drive somewhere. The nice thing about 4x5 enlargers is the small size. I picked up both of my 4x5's with a BMW 3 series and then my wife's Camry. Bring some tools. Omega and Beseler are SAE.

[Luis-F-S]

On either side of the pond, my pick for a 4x5 enlarger is one of the Saunders/Omega/LPL's. Still current, and you can easily find parts as needed, or purcha$e new. I bought my XLG, VCCE on CL, a day's drive but I was already going there. Got it very reasonably (under $500). I have a 4500-II VCCE and the XLG, my preference is for the 4500-II, the XLG is stored. The 4500-II was double the price of the XLG! Just make sure it's complete with power supply, carriers, etc. Power supplies are expensive! L

[Technorama]

Looking on Craigslist as well as Facebook Marketplace can be very helpful. Searching for "enlarger" and also for "darkroom" is good as things are not always accurately described. Look for items within an hour or two drive from your house. There can be lots of them out there. In my own recent experience, I saw an Omega Pro-Lab D6 in what looked like very nice condition offered for $50, with lenses. Too bad I had no need for one more 4x5, and no place to store yet another one. On the same day, there were also two other D6's that did not look as good, but with prices of $350 and $800. So, things can be all over the map and there is no rhyme or reason for how people list and price things. Last year on Facebook Marketplace I came across a Super Chromega Dichroic II E 5x7 enlarger with extra carriers and lens cones for $100, about 35 minutes from my house. A younger couple were clearing out things they had acquired from an uncle's estate to make room for Mom to move in with them. Lots of older folks divesting themselves of equipment as well as kids clearing out things left behind by parents, uncles etc. Patience and regular checking can pay off.