I need some information on the Durst F60 (Fesixcon 75) enlarger which I recently obtained. I am new to this and plan on processing 35mm black & white and could use some information on how to operate. It came with a Beslar 50mm f3.5 lens. The enlarger has a pull out tray that has "color filter" stamped on it but not sure exactly how to use it with 35mm negatives. Thanks for any information you can give.

-- John D. Osterman (jdo@hallden.com), December 16, 1999

Answers

For B&W you can use the filter tray for variable contrast filters when using variable contrast papers. I'm guessing the the filter tray is above the lens. If you don't use a filter with variable contrast paper, they generally print at about grade 2 level, but exposure times will be quicker as the filters make the paper slower (this is a really bad explanation!) Alan will come along and make it a lot clearer!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@eisa.net.au), December 16, 1999.

John, I've also got the Durst F60, and another use I've found for the filter drawer is to insert a pane of flashed opal diffusion glass. The Durst is a condensor enlarger, and if you decide you don't like the quick exposure times and high contrast of the condensor light, the flashed opal diffusion glass gives you a reasonable substitute for diffusion enlarging. Stephen Shuart is a good source for the glass. By the way, the filter drawer is deep enough that you can also use filters in the drawer, placed above the glass. Good luck.

-- Don Cassling (dcassling@jenner.com), December 17, 1999.

john, i had recently bought this model, second hand. i have put a diffuser glass in the pull out tray to reduce the contrast a bit, with good results, though the prints lack the original sharpness. the guy who sold this enlarger told me that i can use filters to print color pictures, though i haven't tried it yet.

-- hoko hoko (photoq@hotmail.com), December 19, 1999.