Bench vs Freestanding Enlargers

[sperdynamite]

I think this may be the year I invest in the Kienzle C252 with a Heiland LED splitgrade head. I can choose freestanding or a baseboard model. The freestanding is a bit more but I can afford it...

The largest size I"m likely to print is 20x24. I'll be printing from 8x10, 8x8, 5x7, and 5x5 negatives. I have an LPL 4550 XLG that also has a Heiland LED for 4x5-35.

Do I need the freestanding or would I be perfectly happy with the baseboard model? Much of the weight of an 8x10 enlarger is no longer present due to the LED panel.

I actually have a converted Zone VI 8x10 with a Kienzle VC diffusion head...now that thing is HUGE. I'll be selling that set up FYI.

What do you think?

[xkaes]

How high is your ceiling?

[sperdynamite]

How high is your ceiling?

Not super high and yeah, with the diffusion head it's a bit of a problem. With my 240mm lens I can get to 16x20 from an 8x10 negative. The LED head though will solve any issues with height...they're wild looking if you haven't seen one. Totally flat.

[xkaes]

Is there enough room for the column? If so, what's the problem?

[sperdynamite]

Is there enough room for the column? If so, what's the problem?

Hah I mean yeah I don't really know as I"ve never had a freestanding enlarger. Just wondering mostly if there is something I'm missing.

[xkaes]

Hah I mean yeah I don't really know as I"ve never had a freestanding enlarger. Just wondering mostly if there is something I'm missing.

I assume the seller can tell you how tall the thing is. If it fits, go with the free standing one, since you can afford it. If it's too tall, buy the other.

I don't think either would fit in my darkroom.

[Drew Wiley]

In my lower-ceiling darkroom, only about 7-1/2 ft high, I have a Durst L184 floor-standing chassis with an 8x10 conversion using a flat Aristo 12X12 VC54 cold light. Even with a 305 lens, 20X24 prints are practical.
Its kinda like drill presses - there is only so much you can do with a bench-mounted one.

[Tin Can]

Wall mount is nice too

I like how they hide

[Bernice Loui]

Free standing preferred by FAR. The are more stable alignment from enlarger head to base board once properly set up, more enlarger head to base board distance and overall nicer to use. Recommend some kind of remote focusing device as trying to reach the enlarger head focusing mechanism with the base board near the floor can be an issue.


Bernice

[interneg]

Free standing preferred by FAR. The are more stable alignment from enlarger head to base board once properly set up, more enlarger head to base board distance and overall nicer to use. Recommend some kind of remote focusing device as trying to reach the enlarger head focusing mechanism with the base board near the floor can be an issue.

In large part these are Durst specific issues - and their belief that 138/ 138s operators had abnormally long right arms.

With a De Vere, the main reason to get the freestanding (or floor stand for the wall models) is purely for bigger prints than the bench variant can deliver. The bench model base is a precision fitted casting and has further tapped tie-down points (likely for on-ship use) as well as those on the column.