I am looking for further accounts of experience using the Meopta Magnifax color enlarger, at first for VC printing but later for color. I am also looking for comments about service from Freestyle. Is anyone using any of the lenses? Thanks in advance.

-- stuart phillips (stuart.phillips@umb.edu), December 06, 1999

Answers

I have owned 2 different Meopta enlargers for a number of years.

I feel Meopta products are excellent values when comparing new products.

Have you looked at used enlargers and lenses? Their are thousands of them around for very low prices.

My one bit of advise however is to buy quality.

-- Wes Martinson (wesmartinson@usa.com), December 06, 1999.

Never used a Meopta, Have heard good things about them. Freestyle is A OK on customer service.Been buying from them for over 30 years. The Meopta Lens are in the better range but not the best of the best of the best.

-- Larrye Edye (WA4GMS@webtv.net), December 06, 1999.

I have been using (and will keep using) two Meopta enlargers, though only basic b&w ones, i.e. w/o VC or colour head. The older (35 mm) one has been in my service for more than 20 years now and seems virtually indestructible. I bought the more recent (6x6) one a couple of years ago to enlarge panoramic shots (24 mm x 58 mm). That one, too seems a good, solid construction, and I have had no reason to complain so far.

As for the lenses: Meopta manufactures a whole range of lenses, from low-budget stuff with three elements to more expensive lenses. So one can't give a general statement on the quality of their lenses. My old enlarger, for instance, came with a cheap three-element lens (which didn't disturb me at all when I started printing, because at that time, I thought 13x18 cm [5x7 in] was almost poster size). I bought a good Schneider lens for it when I demanded more performance.

One general statement, however: it does seem to me that the Meopta equipment need not fear any comparison with some much more expensive stuff.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), December 08, 1999.

Hi,

Never used Meopta. I'm a Beseler fan myself. :)

But I have used Freestyle for a variety of equipment. Their customer service and salepeople are fantastic. Very knowledgeable and willing to help. This is why I use them almost exclusively. :)

As for lenses and such, I would definitely shop around. Most of my equipment is used and believe it or not, I got it right here on the net. (eBay). I have saved thousandsof dollars that way.

-- Erin C. (ericon_22@hotmail.com), January 02, 2000.