4X5 Enlarger questions (Saunders, Beseler)

[blevblev]

A few questions - I'm in the market for a 4x5 enlarger, but my space is limited. I'm probably going to have to buy a single column enlarger like the Saunders, Zone VI and Beseler 45V-XL. General comments about these or similar would be appreciated....

1) what's the difference between the different Saunders 4x5 models. There's an LPL DM4500 available on eBay right now. What's the diff between that and the current model?

2) How much do these enlargers weigh? I want to make sure I have enough support.

3) I've seen a number of posts here about the Zone VI enlargers. Is buying one used at this point wise? If it breaks can you get parts?

[John Kasaian]

Go on Craig's List and someone probably has one to give away.
I have a Omega D-II---lotsa bang for the buck :D

[Gene McCluney]

I have had 4x5 enlargers from Bessler and Omega since the early 1970's. I have never had anything break..the older all-metal enlargers will outlive you. Now the light-source is different. Various color heads and cold-light heads might have parts (and bulbs) that eventually might become hard to get. If you are investing in an electronically controlled color head or cold-light head, then it might pay you to acquire a spare. Notice I said acquire, not buy, as a lot of this equipment now is free for the taking, or shipping.

One think to remember is that "most" enlargers, except for exotic auto-focusing whiz-bang ones, are simple mechanisms and can be repaired with very little effort.

[Skorzen]

I'm with John check craigslist, a couple months ago there was a D5-XL with color head, lenses and negative carriers for $300. I wouldn't consider buying one new in this day and age, people are practically giving stuff away.

[davidb]

go get this one (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/544844443.html)

[Michael N. Meyer]

If you end up with an Omega--which I think are great value--I've got a bunch of lenses, lensboards and neg carriers I want to clear out. Shoot me an e-mail; I'll almost give the stuff away.

[blevblev]

go get this one (http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/544844443.html)

I called that guy. He hasn't called back yet.

[cyrus]

I have 3 4x5 enlargers which I can't decide between
The oldest is the omega which is great particularly because it has a small footprint
The bessler has a wider footprint but I have a lot more stuff to go with it - lensboards, neg holders, etc
The L1200...well, that speaks for itself.

[blevblev]

Re: He hasn't called back yet

he did call back. I'm going to see his stuff tomorrow evening. Is there anything I should look out for in the Omega D5500 enlarger?

[davidb]

I would plug in all three heads and make sure they work. If they do, this is quite a deal. Also make note of what the lenses are.

good luck

[Vaughn]

I bought two D5500's for the university darkroom -- what a waste of state money those were! I think I have them stored somewhere if I did not toss them (but kept the heads, of course). Just did not hold up to student use like the D5's we have.

Should be more than fine for personal use, though. Check to make sure the fine control knobs for the head elevation are not stripped. Those were the first things to go on ours. They are not designed to lower or raise the head any distance...you sort of have to yank it up or down by the locking knob on the bottom of the carriage, then use the fine control knobs to get it at the right height.

I ended up fashioning new knobs out of wood.

Vaughn

[Joseph O'Neil]

I bought two D5500's for the university darkroom -- what a waste of state money those were! I think I have them stored somewhere if I did not toss them (but kept the heads, of course). Just did not hold up to student use like the D5's we have.

-snip-

I have an old D2 from a university darkroom, bought surplus some years ago. Rather well abused I would say, but took minimal repairs to get up and running. While I love my current DeVere enlarger a lot more than my old Omega, say what you will, many of the older "D" series Omega are pretty rock solid with little to go wrong, and easy to fix when they do. One reason I haven't ever sold my old D2, you never know when you need a backup.

One point about the weight and footprint of any 4x5 enlarger - it's always heavy, and always large, and always needs lot of room. Deal with it - if you want something small and light, go 35mm. :D

[Brian K]

You mentioned that space is an issue, but then again all enlargers require a certain amount of working room in order to dodge etc. I have a Beseler 45mxt with both the dichro and condenser heads as well as the beseler stand for sale in the classifieds. It includes neg carriers for nearly every format up to 4x5 and several lensboards as well. The stand is made for the enlarger and has a removeable, as well as lowering baseboard for making even larger prints.

I am also in the NY area.

[SamReeves]

I bought two D5500's for the university darkroom -- what a waste of state money those were! I think I have them stored somewhere if I did not toss them (but kept the heads, of course). Just did not hold up to student use like the D5's we have.

Agreed. The D-5 is a rock. I love my old 30 something D-5. :D

[lajolla]

Any used Durst L1200 Multigraph is worth searching for and acquiring. Indeed, Durst in Bolzano, Italy, while it no longer distributes new L1200 models, still supports significant L1200 spare parts, available at their online shop: http://www2.durst.it
The Durst online shop phone number from the USA: 011-39-0472-81-0111
German or Italian fluency is recommended when you call, but customer service in English is also available. Good luck.

[blevblev]

I looked at the Omega 5500 outfit. It would be worth the price alright, but what a freakin beast! It was too big in every dimention. I'd have to start over. The height was the biggest problem. Are any of the 4x5s that are a little smaller? I have 49 inches and the 5500 was 52.5. I dont need to make 16x20 prints. I'd be happy with 8x10, ecstatic with 11x14.

[davidb]

wow that sucks.

good luck with the search.

[davidb]

I just measured my enlargers.

Saunders 4550 XLG is 56 inches high
Omega D5 with short column is 45 inches
Omega Pro-Lab with tall column is 56 inches

Maybe this will help.

[shadow images]

Had a d5, like it, the 45mxt was converted to 8x10 and was nice as a 4x5. My 45vxl w/45vc head I love it. you should look for a d5 non xl version if height is an issue, great enlargers.

[blevblev]

The D5 at 45 inches sounds perfect height-wise. I can deal with the depth and width issues if they are too big. Thanks.

[Jon Shiu]

The Omega D2V is a nice, compact and easy to use and move around enlarger.

Jon

[Oren Grad]

My LPL 4500II is 49 1/2" to the top of the column. The rubber feet underneath the baseboard are 1 1/2", so if you left those out entirely, or substituted thin rubber bumpers instead, you could probably fit it within 49".

[Skorzen]

I think the Beseler 45's are a little shorter but wider.

[Ash]

My Beseler CB-7 was free... It cost me £40 in fuel and a day's travelling. On top of that about another day's setup. I got a few neg holders with it, and spent a further £60 on lenses and a spare MF holder.

It's huge though. Takes about 6ft of airspace, and must be 2x3 foot on the floor or thereabouts. I hurt my back using it because it's not waist high - the shed isn't tall enough :D

[blevblev]

I almost considered buying this guys 5500 and tossing most of it. He had 3 Rodenstock lenses in a turret that would probably fetch $500 on ebay alone. Am I nuts?

[cyrus]

I almost considered buying this guys 5500 and tossing most of it. He had 3 Rodenstock lenses in a turret that would probably fetch $500 on ebay alone. Am I nuts?

We don't "toss" things. We store them or pass them on to others who can use them.

[Skorzen]

I almost considered buying this guys 5500 and tossing most of it. He had 3 Rodenstock lenses in a turret that would probably fetch $500 on ebay alone. Am I nuts?


I would check ebay first many enlarging lenses that sold for big $$ don't bring that much these days.

[blevblev]

We don't "toss" things.

I was actually going to give it to my daughter's high school photography teacher, but I'm not sure she can fit it either. I've already given them two enlargers and various sundry equipment.