Darkroom accessories need suggestions

[Songyun]

So I got an LPL 4X5 enlarger, it comes with 35mm and 66 film holder but not the 4X5 holder.
Should I get a glassless holder or a glass holder?
Easel, I will print upto 1114, right now only up to 810. Any suggestions on easel?
Focus loupe, any suggestions?
I have already have trays, timer, paper safe and paper washer, safe light. What else does I miss?

[theBDT]

A glass holder leaves you with four surfaces extra that you must clean, and that can attract dust, and that add another layer of slight optical distortion to your enlarger's optical path. As a rule, always use glassless unless:

1) you desire printing to the rebate/edge of the film, or

2) you are doing something that requires a long exposure time in the enlarger; the glass holders will help to suppress and mitigate the heat-warping that usually occurs when a negative has been exposed to more than a minute of continuous enlarger light.

Buy the best focus loupe you can afford; going from 4x5 (or even MF) to 8x10, this is a bit less critical...

[seabird]

A glass holder leaves you with four surfaces extra that you must clean, and that can attract dust, and that add another layer of slight optical distortion to your enlarger's optical path. As a rule, always use glassless unless: ...

... and for a directly contrary opinion: :) As a rule always use glass neg carriers with 4x5. This will help ensure sharpness across the negative by completely eliminating bowing of the negative. Yes, as BDT points out, more surfaces means more potential for dust to be a problem, but that problem is not insurmountable with a bit of care. I dont believe the additional glass surfaces will have any perceptible impact on image quality if you keep them clean.

Seeing as you have to buy a carrier then I'd seriously consider Lynn Radeka's pin registration carrier system. It will open up a whole host of new techniques for you to master ...

Regards

[Oren Grad]

Should I get a glassless holder or a glass holder?

Depends what bothers you more - the hassle of cleaning and/or spotting, or ending up with prints that are inconsistently sharp, both across the picture area within prints and comparing one print to another.

FWIW, I have most of the glassless carriers for the 4x5 LPL, but over the last couple of years I've moved almost entirely to the universal glass carrier.

For focusing, I use the classic Micromega, now sold as the Peak Critical Enlarging Focuser Model 1. Yes, I think it's worth the money.

It's hard to recommend a reasonably-priced easel from among products currently available new - the selection is pretty limited now. Among products only available second hand, I have a couple of the classic Saunders 14x17 easels that have served me well for ~20 years, though better ones exist if you want to spend serious money.

[John Kasaian]

I scored a used Saunders four blade easel that goes to 20x24 for the princely sum of $30 from a Lab that was going digital.
Craigs List is your friend :)

Ganz Speed E-Zls were my default easels but I couldn't get Kentemere DW to work in 'em. :(

[Ari]

Sounds like you're equipped.
Get a stereo player in that darkroom; music, red lights, sound of running water...
Either you'll be very productive, or get very sleepy :)

[jp]

I like the Speed E-Zls too and that's mostly what I use.

I'm impressed at how simple and useful they are. When I was in high school, I chose to build my own 11x14 one in metalshop. Came out fine mechanically, but I couldn't get it painted as nicely as the genuine article. They are cheap now used and I bought a whole darkroom lot for $10 at a lawnsale just to get a couple more.

Of course you'll need trays (I like the patterson ones), funnel, tongs (bamboo from the local kitchen store), clothespins and insulated wire to dry the prints/negatives on. You might need some VC filters if you're using VC paper and don't have a color head. You might want something to dust negatives with.

[jp]

Oh, it might be good to pick up a spare bulb(s) for the enlarger on Ebay as funds permit. Having a spare bulb in a box on the shelf either makes it so you never need it which is good, or it makes you look all prepared like a boyscout on the ultra-rare occasion when you need one.

[Jon Shiu]

For an easel, I recommend the Saunders Slimtrack. Very precise and smooth operating, as well as simple and compact. Can do up to 11x14.

Jon

[tgtaylor]

I scored a used Saunders four blade easel that goes to 20x24 for the princely sum of $30 from a Lab that was going digital.
Craigs List is your friend :) (

That is a terrific buy and I am justly jealous: I bought a new Saunders 20x24 Universal easel a couple of years ago from a local supplier for $500. a great easel, though, regardless of what you pay for it (within reason, of course).

[Len Middleton]

Oh, it might be good to pick up a spare bulb(s) for the enlarger on Ebay as funds permit. Having a spare bulb in a box on the shelf either makes it so you never need it which is good,

Or serve as a talisman to prevent your needing the spare bulb until such time as you break it, or sell it (thinking you would never need it), at which time the bulbs will be difficult or impossible to find... :eek:

[John Powers]

The best I have used.
Peak Critical Enlarging Focuser Model 1
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/40920-REG/Peak_PK20001_Critical_Enlarging_Focuser_Model.html

I have used the 11x14 V Easel and the 20x24 for several years very happily. This 1417 seems to be what is available new. Most of us eventually print larger than we thought we would when we bought the enlarger.

LPL- Saunders- Omega DX-1417 Universal Four-Bladed Easel - 14 x 17"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/299930-REG/Omega_1451417_DX_1417_Universal_Four_Bladed_Easel.html

For larger printing there is a focusing extension you can buy for the enlarger (over $100) so you can reach the focus while viewing through the magnifier. I found that six feet of ¼” line-rope wrapped two or three times around the focusing knob reached both hands while I was sitting watching the focus. The adjustment is just as fine. The price is pretty good and replacement parts are available at any hardware store.

John

[theBDT]

Depends what bothers you more - the hassle of cleaning and/or spotting, or ending up with prints that are inconsistently sharp, both across the picture area within prints and comparing one print to another.

I guess the OP should try both then, and see what works for him. Many people use glassless and manage to get a perfectly sharp image printed out. One advantage of LF darkroom printing is that you can stop down your enlarging lens further without jeopardizing quality, compared with 35mm.

Of course, if your enlarger is improperly aligned, a slight buckle in the film would throw everything off...

[Oren Grad]

I guess the OP should try both then, and see what works for him.

I agree! :)

[Andrew O'Neill]

Get glass for the holder, especially if your light head gets hot. It will keep the 4x5 negative flat. Top glass should be A/N glass. If you keep the glass surfaces clean (that's 4 surfaces) clean, you will not have any dust problems. I'm anal about that.

[John Powers]

This enlarger is a notorious leaker of light. Search earlier posts. The leaks can easily be sealed with black tape. Be sure to allow for lamp ventilation. I mention this only so you won't be surprised or think your particular enlarger is improperly built or assembled, just a fact of LPL life. Other wise it is an excellent enlarger.

John

[theBDT]

I agree! :)

I would recommend getting the glassless first, as they are cheaper. Likely, he'll find he never needs to move beyond them :P

[Songyun]

Guys, thanks a lot! I picked up a peak model 1, and will get a 11X14 easel, and 4X5 holder perfer glass but will consider glassless.

[John Kasaian]

That is a terrific buy and I am justly jealous: I bought a new Saunders 20x24 Universal easel a couple of years ago from a local supplier for $500. a great easel, though, regardless of what you pay for it (within reason, of course).

Yes, it was a matter of being at the right place at the right time:D . Had I wanted to gamble, I may have fished it out of the dumpster for free at the end of the day:D

[Rick A]

I've been using a glassless 4x5 negative carrier for years sans problems. I have yet to have a negative pop from too much heat, and I routinely leave the light on while fiddling about, as much as ten minutes. I used to use a glass 6x7 carrier, always had to clean dust and polish the glass to get a decent print.