Largest print possible

[swmcl]

Hi,

Can I ask if there might be a helpful member who might find me my answer through practical experience ...

Using a 210mm lens what would be the longest dimension possible on a Durst L138 condenser enlarger please ? Re-building a baseboard and want to project 6x17 images. So taking a 5"x7" negative would be the long dimension taken care of.

The same information is sought from a Durst L184 condenser enlarger with a 300mm lens. If you use an 8"x10" negative please advise.

Both are floorstanders.

I will supply more information if you need it. I am thinking the width of the L138 baseboard should not exceed 26" and the baseboard of the L184 would not exceed 30" but these estimates do not make any difference here. I guess the information most relevant would be the distance from lens to baseboard actually.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

[ic-racer]

With a 300mm lens and the head all the way up and the table all the way down, my L1840 projects an 8x10 negative just about to the edges of the baseboard, which is 40". I'm pretty sure the L184 is nearly identical to this (see table below). The L138 baseboard is 24 x 32in and the maximum 5x7 negative enlargement with a 210 is about 35". The way it works out with these enlarger is the baseboard width just about matches the maximum enlargement available with a 'standard' lens.

Scan from the L184 manual:


Scan from the L138 manual:

[swmcl]

Thanks,

I am hoping someone out there has made a baseboard and it is larger (or wider) than any 'standard' baseboard. The question is independent of baseboard size.

I wonder if it is possible to estimate the largest size mathematically ?

Steve

[ROL]

The question is independent of baseboard size.

Are you sure you need a larger baseboard? What about a larger easel?

[Bernice Loui]

On the Durst 138 using a 240mm lens with 5x7 film in glass carrier, the largest print based on my experience is 20"x24" with the table most all the way down and head near the top limit. Focusing becomes a significant problem as I cannot reach the focus lever ball in this position and had to be "creative" to work the focus lever ball.

Why not simply rotate the 138 head 90 degrees and use it as a horizontal enlarger? It has wheels for tracks and is designed to be used this way. It would be easier to project on the wall for larger prints when dodge/burning and etc.. If space in the dark room allows this configuration, it is well worth considering.

The sizes can be calculated, but there are SO many variables and etc that many, many calculations complied in a table will result and it actual real world print making conditions, it might not be that useful.


Bernice

Thanks,

I am hoping someone out there has made a baseboard and it is larger (or wider) than any 'standard' baseboard. The question is independent of baseboard size.

I wonder if it is possible to estimate the largest size mathematically ?

Steve

[ic-racer]

I wonder if it is possible to estimate the largest size mathematically ?

Steve

I posted a mathematical example here:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...88#post1107088

In terms of making baseboards for these enlargers I'd use the original sizes, unless you plan on enlarging with a wide-angle lens; Durst already did the math for you

[ROL]

Why not simply rotate the 138 head 90 degrees and use it as a horizontal enlarger? It has wheels for tracks and is designed to be used this way. It would be easier to project on the wall for larger prints when dodge/burning and etc.. If space in the dark room allows this configuration, it is well worth considering.

Bernice, I wonder whether anyone has actually done this with their Durst. I am aware the rotating head is one of its selling points, but the difficulties of large magnification without a permanently oriented and tested setup seem legion to me (I know we've all seen AA do this in his Carmel DR). How does one align the head to the printing surface – which is presumably a wall? How are you securing paper vertically? Is it comfortable to dodge and burn in this orientation? Etc.?

[matthew klos]

If baseboard is an issue. I use a very large piece of mdf. i have used this to make 50x60 mural before. works great.

[ic-racer]

Bernice, I wonder whether anyone has actually done this with their Durst. I am aware the rotating head is one of its selling points, but the difficulties of large magnification without a permanently oriented and tested setup seem legion to me (I know we've all seen AA do this in his Carmel DR). How does one align the head to the printing surface – which is presumably a wall? How are you securing paper vertically? Is it comfortable to dodge and burn in this orientation? Etc.?

Both my CLS Color Head and L1840 enlarger came from different darkrooms in which the enlargers were permanently set up to project on the wall.

The higher the magnification ratio the less important alignment of the head to the paper (and the more important lens to negative alignment). You can align the tracks to the wall with a carpenter's right angle but you may need a PROLA fine-adjustable lensboard.

[bob carnie]

My Durst 2000 is for this exact purpose and I will put mine on angle iron, sheet metal will be applied to the wall , with laser aligners and adjusting screws on the metal on the wall alignment is obtained easily by a trained tech.

Making horizontal murals is something I have done a lot and does take a bit of mechanics to set up the space properly , as well learn how to dodge and burn from the side rather than the top. Once this is all figured out they are quite easy to make and for me preferable than doing murals vertically.

Bernice, I wonder whether anyone has actually done this with their Durst. I am aware the rotating head is one of its selling points, but the difficulties of large magnification without a permanently oriented and tested setup seem legion to me (I know we've all seen AA do this in his Carmel DR). How does one align the head to the printing surface – which is presumably a wall? How are you securing paper vertically? Is it comfortable to dodge and burn in this orientation? Etc.?