Enlargers

[Dave miller]

In another thread Percepts raises questions that partly encompass enlarger types. So, I thought I would open a discussion specifically on that point.

I have only ever used a colour head diffusion enlarger, so the following comments must be tempered by this statement.

I have never seen any reliable evidence that any other type of enlarger illumination will produce visibly better prints. Can anyone demonstrate otherwise?

[Argentum]

Define "Visibly Better" and that will be the crux of the case for or aginst any type of enlarger.

If you read the Durst literature for a varipoint head for an L1200, then you will see that a point source head with optically coated condensors is the way to go for obtaining the finest detail in a print. But that doesn't mean it is automically a "Visibly Better" print. For example, a head shot of an elderly woman photographed with the sharpest macro lens and then printed with a point source enlarger head so that it shows every wrinkle, crevice, skin pore and zit would not be very flattering. So how do you judge what is a "Visibly Better" print.
On the other hand, if you were printing the result from and electron microscope so that you could see the structure of a crystal, then a soft working diffusion head wouldn't work as well as a point source head.
There is a distinction to be made between technically better and aesthetically better and that depends upon purpose, personal and artistic taste and also anticipated subject taste.

A normal condensor enlarger is somewhere between the two.

The durst literature is here: http://www.darkroom.ru/info/brochure...consumer_e.pdf

[Dave miller]

For the purpose of this discussion I would like to put Scientific at one end of a long scale and Artistic at the other, and keep the discussion more towards the artistic end for I believe that’s where most of our interests lie.

I have read the Durst literature in the past and assumed that their specialist light sources were aimed at the scientific community.

My interest is with the hobbyist, and professional commercial photographer who may still print properly.

So for the average portrait, flower study, or landscape will I see a difference in a normal print at normal viewing distances?

[RH Designs]

Provided the prints are made to the same contrast then no, you won't. IMHO

[Dave miller]

Originally Posted by Dave

For the purpose of this discussion I would like to put Scientific at one end of a long scale and Artistic at the other, and keep the discussion more towards the artistic end for I believe that’s where most of our interests lie.

I have read the Durst literature in the past and assumed that their specialist light sources were aimed at the scientific community.

My interest is with the hobbyist, and professional commercial photographer who may still print properly.

So for the average portrait, flower study, or landscape will I see a difference in a normal print at normal viewing distances?

So far I think we have had some very interesting input to this thread, but nothing to demonstrate that it is worthwhile for me to change my colour head enlarger, for which I should be thankful I suppose.


Has anyone ever done a side-by-side test, or will the apparent requirement to produce negatives of a specific contrast for each type preclude that?

[Trevor Crone]

FWIW; I've now settled on a DeVere 504 with 500MG head. It suits my style of printing with the ease at which it allows split grade printing.

It uses two lamps in combination, green=soft, blue=hard, and any combination in between. Because all controls are on the keypad there is no need to touch the head except to manouver the under lens light-safe swing filter. I also have the footswitch fitted which is a great help when I needs my hand free to manipulate the image.

I can set the grades from 0 to 5 + 1/2 stops.

The baseboard controls of both head hight and focusing are an absolute joy, they can be locked in position for added stability.

Anyone contemplating such an enlarger, all I can say is know is the time to buy.

Before this I used a Magnafax 4 with Meograde VC head which probably gave slighty harder prints grade for grade, but certainly no more then 1/2 grade.

[Steven Taylor]

FWIW, I use a DeVere 504 with a Dichromat head, I have a 504 which is fitted with a cold cathode head but I find it very slow. In years gone by I have used both cold and condenser heads on 504's and 54's. When I have taught in uni's, art schools and community darkrooms they have often been fitted with a miss match of hobby type enlargers that usually have either condenser or on occasions diffuser heads. So I guess I've tried most options and my preference is the Dichromat. I haven't used a multigrade head but I understand from others that it is a good solution. The 504 locks down really tight so dialing filtration in and out does not present any problems. I often use different filtration for different parts of the neg. I have always fancied a focomat, but I don't really know why.
Steven

[Ag-Bromide]

My first enlarger was a Meopta condenser enlarger followed by an LPL colour enlarger, I sold both of those for my current Durst enlarger which is fitted with a VC module. I no longer make colour prints and would never go back to using a colour module.
I see no difference in sharpness between them.

[big paul]

hi dave
I have used condenser and diffusion enlargers and I like the condenser system the most it seems to give me more contrast,when I want it. my main enlarger is a lpl 7700 pro with triple condenser head fitted, I also have the colour head with transformer .
I use graded paper most of the time which seems to work better with a condenser set up.
its our hobby and we do what pleases us the most, so what ever rocks your boat(or dev tray) as they say. after 40 odd years messing about in the darkroom this way of doing things suits me .

[Dave miller]

Originally Posted by big paul

hi dave
I have used condenser and diffusion enlargers and I like the condenser system the most it seems to give me more contrast,when I want it. my main enlarger is a lpl 7700 pro with triple condenser head fitted, I also have the colour head with transformer .
I use graded paper most of the time which seems to work better with a condenser set up.
its our hobby and we do what pleases us the most, so what ever rocks your boat(or dev tray) as they say. after 40 odd years messing about in the darkroom this way of doing things suits me .

I quite agree Paul, wouldn't it be a boring world if we all did things the same way.