Need recommendation for top quality B&W enlarger

[pyusmc66]

I could not agree more with Amolitor. There are quite a few 23CII on ebay for various $$$ depending on the condition. You can buy one new at B&H and Adorama for less than a K, but I would spend my money on a couple of good APO lenses and get a used enlarger. They are simple and there is not much that can go wrong short of dropping them out of a 3rd floor walk-up window. Good luck.

 

[wyogirl]

I think (check to be sure) you need a 50mm enlarging lens for 35mm and an 80mm lens for med. format.

 

[Helen B]

I agree with Derrell. No question (apart from the format issue, but I suggest getting more than one enlarger if you can).

The type of head hasn't been discussed much. When I had the space available at home I had four enlargers: a Chromega for colour up to 4x5 and three condenser enlargers for B&W, one for each of the three general formats (4x5, medium format to 6x9 which I used a lot, and 35 mm). That way I never had to switch condensers, I only had to adjust the lamp focus on the medium format enlarger when I switched from a 105 mm lens for 6x9 to an 80 mm lens for 6x6.

That's why I would suggest getting at least two enlargers: the Focomat for everything up to medium format and a diffusion / mixing box type of colour or multigrade enlarger for 4x5. It is no big deal to use multigrade filters above the condensers in a 35 mm or medium format enlarger (better than below-the-lens filters) but for 4x5 the convenience of a multigrade or colour head is probably worth having because the advantages of a condenser head are slight for 4x5, at least from my experience. The filter issue only matters if you will be using multigrade paper, of course.

Summary: get two enlargers if you can, but if you have to stick with one then make it the a colour or multigrade 4x5 enlarger like a Chromega.

Common lens focal lengths:
for 35 mm - either 40 mm wide angle (for larger enlargements with same head height) or 50 mm (most common)
for small end of medium format - 63 mm, 75 mm or 80 mm
for 6x9 - 105 mm
for 4x5 - 150 mm
For optimum quality you can select the lens based on enlargement. There are different lenses for different enlargement ranges. Google for data charts before selecting a lens.)

 

[HurleyPhoto]

Are you close to Memphis? I have several enlargers, one of which is the Beseler 23c II that has been mentioned. It was my favorite and my go to enlarger that probably was used on 90% plus of my work. One is a Nikor and not sure what the others are since I rarely used them. Many lenses....believe 35, 50, 70, 80 and 135 if I'm not mistaken. About 75% sure of those. It's been a while(2006), since I have used the darkroom. I am a retired photographer of about 28 years. Also two Beseler 16 table top processors and one dryer and a Fuji FA720(pp1270). The Fuji is a large floor model like you used to see at Wal-marts and other photo labs. Don't really want to get rid of it but have faced the fact that I will never use this equipment again. So I would be willing to sell it at very reasonable price(s). If you are interested...let me know and I will give you contact information.

Dennis

 

[pyusmc66]

Wyogirl is correct. You can use a 75MM for 645 120 film (2-1/4 x 2-!/4), but the 80 goes al the way up to 6X9CM
Regards

 

[HurleyPhoto]

Got your message and tried to reply but it said you are not receiving messages. If you can change your settings or give me a way of getting with you we can go from there.

 

[Rick58]

I'm still very happy with my pair of aging Omega D2's. They aren't fancy, but they are solid
I have a Schneider 80 and 150mm and a EL-Nikkor 50mm which covers all my needs.
Unlike Andrew, I also owned a Bessler 45XL which I didn't care for. Darn shame. I couldn't give the Bessler away and it went out in the trash. I even advertised in our local free paper. Not a nibble