Hi!

I'm in Mexico, I'm working in my DARKROOM!!! and i want buy a enlarger but I don't know which mark or model? I need for 35mm format but I'll like this work with 6x7 format before...

Greetings!!!

-- Ramon Gayosso (ms_coa@yahoo.com), April 29, 1999

Answers

An old Beseler 67 has answered my needs for many years, and the model 23 is even more versatile. An Omega would likely do just as well. Both are available with cold lite, color, or condenser heads.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@earthlink.net), May 07, 1999.

Ramon, If you can find a used Omega B22, that's one of the best 35mm and 2 1/4 square enlargers. For 6x7, you need something larger. The Bessler 23C or 23CII is good for the money, but consider it a work in progress. This is what I use, but I've had to do quite a bit of shimming, machining, blackening, etc. to get it to a decent standard of optical quality. One of the best bargains around are used Omega D2 and similar 4x5 enlargers. They handle any format up to 4x5, and are often available for $100-300. If you are willing to spend the bucks, there are newer enlargers that are very good, however most of the "hobbiest" grade machines have suffered from serious cost cutting in this very competitive age. Conrad

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), July 31, 1999.

I would recommend the Omega C760XL enlarger if you want to buy new. It handles 6x7 and 35mm. I have the condenser head and the light distribution is quite even not varying more than 15% from center to corners. Every thing is modular and the default settings for the tilt on the head and the lens board are very secure, thus alignment is not a problem. It is well built and B&H in NYC may still ship it free. I have been very happy with mine. One advantage of buying new is you don't have to put up with someone else's abuse of the machine.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), August 02, 1999.