As I mentioned in an earlier post I'm living in the middle east and would like to start developing my own black and white prints.

I have been to the local camera sales area and the selection of enlargers is very limited (not a popular hobby here). I couldn't afford a new one as they are generally priced quite highly. A second hand shop had a selection of fairly basic second hand enlargers. The main question is, will having what will probably be a less than ideal enlarger REALLY handicap me or would it be a perfectly good buy for a complete beginner to learn from.

I can find new developing equipment, so if I do the negative properly I can always re-print them at a later date (when I can afford a good enlarger). The enlarger I saw seemed very basic. Can't remember the make, probably eastern european, but it was more or less a light box, negative carrier(variable), red filter than covered the source if necessary and a 75mm lens on a resonable sturdy base. It all seemed to work (the man took it to the darkroom and did a brief print). I didn't buy it but it is exactly the sort of thing that will crop up from time to time.

Will I be seriously restricting myself and my learning process with this low quality equipment or will it be perfectly acceptable for learning on?

Thanks Mike

-- Mike (m_tate@hotmail.com), December 09, 2000

Answers

Hi Mike, buying an enlarger like most things is a learning curve. Few of us actually buy the right piece of equipment first time. For we aren't quite sure where our interests might lead us ten years down the line. I'm now on, I think, my fifth enlarger. I started with a basic 35mm enlarger some twenty plus years ago and earlier this year I bought a quality S/H 4x5 enlarger which I intend will stay with to the bitter end.

Has long as your intended purchase covers the formats you wish to use for the foreseeable future, holds the neg. completely flat and is in correct alignment (I returned one enlarger because I could not get a critically sharp image with it) and the illumination is adequately even on the baseboard. I would not forsake any of the above because to do so will cause a fair amount of frustration on your part trying to correct them. Even if it means waiting and paying that little bit extra. Also get the best lens you can afford, make the right choice now and it should last a lifetime. I still have the same 50mm lens I purchased over twenty years ago (I managed to get that right first time at least). Good luck,

-- Trevor Crone (tcrone@gm.dreamcast.com), December 09, 2000.

Hi, I strongly second Trevor's post. Go ahead and buy the thing. Learn on it, and who knows, it my substantially influence your style of photography. The important thing is to get going!

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), December 10, 2000.

I think you are right. I had kind of convinced myself anyway. Even if it does have problems, it'll teach me what to look for when I'm ready to pay over a little more cash. End of the day, I can practise my developing and printing and learn the basic techniques even if the end results aren't so hot.

Thanks for listening.

-- Mike (m_tate@hotmail.com), December 10, 2000.

The only thing that I could add to the above is that, as long as the enlarger is giving an even spread of light, the most important thing is the lens. it has been said that it is better to shrimp on the enlarger and pay for a good lens. Good luck!

-- Rick Lang (rickpho@aol.com), December 10, 2000.

Buying a good, modern high quality lens will save you a fortune in reprint costs once you get good enough to realize the older prints on the cheap lens all have to be reprinted to get the best quality. The top of the line Nikkor, Rodenstock & Schneiders all have good lenses available and will work well. Just align your enlarger & make sure the light projected is even and print with a good lens for good results.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), December 14, 2000.