Leitz easels?

[Robbie Bedell]

Does anyone use the old Leitz easels with the wooden base? If so, how do they compare with say, a Saunders 1114? I am referring to the 11x 14 size..I am going through a mid-life easel crisis...Robbie

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

[Daniel Stone]

I have a 12x16" one, yes, the BIG one.
ONE word to describe it:
MAGNIFICENT
No expense spared on build quality or materials, and its one of my prized photographic possesions. When I got it, the blades wouldn't slide "easily". A little white grease wiped on, then wiped off helped that. 1x/year(now going on 3yrs) seems to do the trick.

Saunders work well, and I could definitely live with one, but the Leitz(and a Beard) are IMO, the cream of the crop:
http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/.../?k=:::4062819

-Dan

[John Kasaian]

I've got both. The Leitz for smaller stuff and the Saunders is in 16x20 for the big stuff. Both are excellent IMHO but the Leitz is more fun to use---it's sort of like a 1927 6-1/2 litre Bentley compared to a 1971 Corvette.
By all means grab the Leitz! It's a "steampunk" easel and that alone is waaaaay cool!