As I recall, the questioner was asking about B&W printing.
If this is the case, he absolutely does NOT need a colour head, in fact I
would strongly advise against one.
I have come across numerous examples of the colour filters in colour heads
fading, in some cases to such an extent that it has been impossible to
obtain a full contrast print on multigrade paper.
In my opinion, it MUCH better to use proper multigrade filters either above
or below lens, the results are much more consistent. The choice of
condenser/ diffuser is very much a personal one, I prefer condenser, but do
have a very dust free darkroom.
I use an old Phillips enlarger, extremely solid yet very easy to adjust and
it has all of the required movements.
I do agree that the lens choice is very important, there is no point in
using one of these remarkable Olympus lenses if your enlarger lens is crap!
Nikon are very good, as are Rodenstock Rodagon, Fujinon etc. Try to get a
six element lens if you can, but if buying second hand look vary carefully
for fungus, it is VERY common on enlarger lenses due to the conditions in
which most of them are used.
Good luck
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry A. Otto" <LarryOtto@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: 16 August 2001 02:16
Subject: Re: [OM] Enlarger recomendations
> Hi Bill, I have no experience using the Printmaker 35. I think it is
> simply a "condenser light" type of enlarger. I would really recommend
> that you get an enlarger with a dichroic color head. The quality of the
> light is much better, and the convenience of built in filtration for
> adjusting contrast on variable contrast paper is really nice. I have a
> Durst M-370 with the upgrade kit so I can print up to 6x7 negatives, and
> it is a wonderful enlarger, but there are not a lot of them out there.
> My next choice would be an Omega C760 with color head. Also try and get
> a good lens. The El-Nikkor 50mm f2.8 is a great lens and they can be had
> at reasonable prices used.
>
> Larry Otto
>
>
>
> Bill Stanke wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone:
> >
> > The discussion about B&W film has inspired me to set up a traditional
> > "wet" darkroom, after a hiatus of about twenty-five years.
> >
> > Does anyone have any experieince with the Bessler Printmaker 35
> > enlarger? I sold my Durst M-301 and all the other darkroom gear when I
> > lost interest, so I will have to purchase an enlarger, developing tanks,
> > trays, tongs, etc.
> >
> > I used to bulk load Plus-X, and developed it (one-shot) of a 1:3
> > dilution of Microdol-X. I thought it was pretty hot stuff at the time!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Bill Stanke
> >
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> >
> >
> >
>
>
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