hello,

i am looking for some advice on which enlarger to go for. i have just started photography seriously, and am considering setting up a darkroom in my loft.

i would like some help with enlargers. which names and models to go for? (i am starting with b&w, but may progress to colour); new or secondhand; how much i should expect to pay - i don't want to get ripped off! obviously,i want to spend as little as possible, but i will spend what i have to to get a good quality machine.

any help will be much appreciated.

margarita.

to to get a decent machine that will do the job.

-- margarita vazquez (margarita.vazquez@virgin.net), January 17, 1999

Answers

Margarita,

Go to the main Black-and-White World page, select the Vault link from the pull-down menu in the upper left corner, and look for my Brilliant Mistakes article. In it I discuss setting up a commercial black-and-white lab, and give some enlarger advice based on my experience.

The short version is: Choose one of the big name brands (Beseler, Durst, Omega, Saunders) based on how the enlarger fits your working style and your budget. They are all excellent. If your bedget is tight (as was mine) buy used lenses too. My part four update (due soon, I promise) explains how I purchased four mint EL Nikkor lenses for a bit more than the price of one new EL Nikkor 150/5.6 lens.

Used enlargers are cheap, typically 30 percent to 40 percent the new price even in excellent condition. If you are not comfortable checking out used enlargers bribe an experienced photographer to go along and help you. You'll be surprised how much help a bottle of good single-malt Scotch can buy.

Good hunting,

Darron

-- Darron Spohn (dspohn@clicknet.com), January 19, 1999.