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  #1  
Old 12th January 2015, 05:59 PM
monetizabeth monetizabeth is offline
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Default Saunders LPL 670XL Dichroic Color Enlarler

Hello!

I have recently set up a darkroom in my basement and everything has been going great....until yesterday when my enlarger stopped working. I had already printed one sheet, all good, but when I went to expose my paper 5 minutes later, there was no light.

The bulb is working, but for some reason the light is not making it to the paper. I have no idea what is going on, any thoughts or suggestions?

It's a Saunders LPL 670XL color enlarger. I can send photos if necessary!

Thanks,

Monet
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  #2  
Old 12th January 2015, 09:42 PM
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Bob Bob is offline
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I don't know your level of experience so please do not be insulted but some possibilities are: if it has a colour head, you may have all the colour filtration set to maximum, or the head may have a red-filter setting lever that has become engaged.

If you can't see light-spill from the lamp housing part of the enlarger then the lamp may have blown or there may be something wrong with any timer and/or power supply you have connected. I know you said the lamp is working but actually seeing light coming from the enlarger is the only way to be sure - testing it outside the enlarger may simply mean that the socket or wiring in the enlarger is broken.

If you can see light spilling from around the lamp housing then there must be something physicaly blocking the light path so I would start removing things until you find out where. Remove the negative carrier - is the light reaching the negative? If not then the cause must be higher up, between the carrier and the bulb. If light is visible at the carrier then it must be blocked further down the light path (i.e. towards the lens).

I do not know if that enlarger has condensors or a colour head but if the light is not reaching the negative carrier then condensors are usually easily removable but a colour head may require screwdrivers and a little more care. Also, some enlargers have removable diffusion boxes which can become damaged and block the light path.


If none of that is helpful, do post a picture and that may help. Hopefully someone else will be familiar with that make and model.


Good luck, Bob.

Last edited by Bob; 12th January 2015 at 09:46 PM.
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  #3  
Old 12th January 2015, 11:00 PM
paulc paulc is offline
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From what I remember of the LPL enlargers, they are of fairly simple construction, and do not require much in the way of tools to service. A couple of things you could do:

Check the lamp socket and/or consider replacing it.
Lift out the mixing box and check that nothing has fallen in to block the light path.
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Old 12th January 2015, 11:03 PM
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lens cap on ?

You might laugh but you'd be in good company...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ns-Scapon.html
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Old 12th January 2015, 11:10 PM
alexmuir alexmuir is offline
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If the negative carrier has adjustable masking blades, make sure you haven't moved them together to cover the entire negative. I do that quite often when handling the carrier on my Durst enlarger. The blades a re controlled by sliding controls on the edges of the carrier.
Alex
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Old 12th January 2015, 11:25 PM
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Have you fiddled around with the white light lever? Filters might have stuck. If it's not that you'll have to switch it on and deconstruct from the lens up until you find the problem.
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Old 13th January 2015, 12:02 AM
monetizabeth monetizabeth is offline
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thank you all! I just went back to my enlarger with all of your suggestions and it turns out the bulb IS out. Better than having left the lens cap on, but I still feel a bit silly.

Now...any advice for where I can buy a bulb for it? I'm checking google too.
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Old 13th January 2015, 08:34 AM
alexmuir alexmuir is offline
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Try Firstcall Photographic. I think they supply LPL enlargers.
Alex
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Old 13th January 2015, 09:40 AM
Tony Marlow Tony Marlow is offline
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You could try RK Photographic or Silverprint as well

Tony
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Old 14th January 2015, 09:26 AM
paulc paulc is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by monetizabeth View Post
Now...any advice for where I can buy a bulb for it? I'm checking google too.
Check your local DIY store or lighting specialist - The lamp is a fairly standard item, but there are a variety of flavours. Try to find a Xenophot version if you can, and grab a spare or two.
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