New 4x5 enlarger advice?

[Christopher Barrett]

Hey people. I'm planning on building out a darkroom in my basement. I've just begun to investigate what's available for 4x5 enlargers. I'm looking at the Durst L1200, the Omega LPL 4550XLG and the Beseler 45VXL. I'll be going with new gear. Theses units are all close enough in price that it's not really a concern. After reading a few reviews, I was planning to go with the Durst.

I'd love to hear any opinions you guys might have.

Thanks!
Chris

[Bob Salomon]

Durst.

[angusparker]

Durst, only advantage of the 45XVL is that you can put an 8x10 head on if you beef it up.


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[Fred L]

no Deveres in the area ? but yeah, I'd take Durst over the others.

[Bob Salomon]

Durst, only advantage of the 45XVL is that you can put an 8x10 head on if you beef it up.


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But then you have to use an f9 wide angle process lens since the Beseler lens board is too small for a modern 240 enlarging lens.

[chassis]

I have a 45VXL and it is solid. Have never used a Durst but from what I read/see on the internet, it seems like the negative stage/apparatus may be more refined and robust than the Beseler.

[LabRat]

Thumbs down on the newer sheet metal Dursts...

I have worked on some worn, used models and they don't age well with harder use... Neg stage carriers develop slop, locks wear without positive locking, stages sag/wear, nylon gears in colorhead are near the lamps that get very brittle with the heat, color settings often don't repeat well, little/no alignment points, many common parts are not available even from distributors, and if there's electronics involved, unnecessarily over-complex and can develop chronic issues...

Maybe new as a 1 owner carefully maintained unit, but rather overpriced from the get-go... And a USA distributor had varied professional issues, so can't endorse...

Plenty of other new/used choices out there...

Steve K

[Neal Chaves]

All it takes is a small relief cut at the lens stage of the Beseler 45VXL to fit larger lenses on the Beseler 4X4 lensboard like the 300mm 5.6 Rodagon shown here. This mod has been discussed on this forum many times. I find the 300 a bit too long for most of my work and use the 240mm Rodagon almost exclusively. That 240 f9 Beseler lens has developed a bad reputation for some reason although both the previous owner of my enlarger an I made many satisfying prints with it. I much prefer the Rodagons for their increased brightness and illuminated scale.

[angusparker]

But then you have to use an f9 wide angle process lens since the Beseler lens board is too small for a modern 240 enlarging lens.

Actually you can modify the lensboard and the lower part of the enlarger to take an f5.6 - no too hard


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[Halford]

I have a Durst L1200 and absolutely love working with it. I have never experienced that kind of stability and solidity in another enlarger. But it's an old enlarger. Doesn't sound like the new ones are built to the same quality based on LabRat's comment above.