When I re-did my darkroom a number of years ago, I had the same
thoughts. I was getting rid of a Leitz V35 and an Omega D2 and wanted
something that could easily and precisely handle all formats from
35mm to 4x5, print any color process easily, and the same for B&W.
After much searching, I settled on a ZBE Sentinette wall mount
enlarger with a ZBE Starlite 55 head. The Sentinette is a modified
DeVere 54 chassis which is rock solid and always square. The Starlite
55 head is completely microprocessor controlled and can output up to
1100 watts of light. When you key in a CC color balance, the head
turns on and the microprocessor reads the individual colors via
sensors and adjusts the light o/p to be exactly what is keyed-in. If
you make a test strip and find an exposure time, then make a non test
strip print at that time, then decide to change the color balance,
the microprocessor adjusts the light o/p so that the exposure time
will remain constant for the density that you printed for, ie; you
can crank up the magenta until the cows come home, and the print
density will remain the same. You will have a v-e-r-y magenta print
but the print density will be what you wanted. In the B&W mode, you
can select paper grade 0 - 5.5 in .1 steps. After making a good
print, you can change the paper grade up or down and the middle gray
print density will remain the same.
Also, you have complete control over the light o/p intensity. You can
select from -90 to +90 with each 30 being one stop of light. If you
key-in, say, + or - 90 and the head cannot accurately supply that
light, it will select the max that it can offer (+ or -) and then
adjust your exposure time to compensate for the difference. This is a
very cool head.
I use 45/90/150 Schneider APO Componon HM lenses and I print
everything at f/8. My standard print size is 20x24 and I adjust the
light output (they call it density) to give me an exposure in the 15
to 30 second range. With easy to print stuff, I pretty much print 20
sec @ f/8. For a lot of dodging and burning, I go out to 30 sec. 75%
of my printing is Cibachrome, 25% B&W. At f/8 APO Componon HM lenses
are incredibly sharp, corner to corner.
I also bought a used Beseler 45V-XL chassis and a second (used)
Starlite 55 head - for the Beseler. This chassis was used by some
city (used very little) and is the completely motorized version. I am
re-setting up my enlarging bench to accommodate both enlargers, with
a drop table below the Beseler. With motorized controls, I can
raise/lower and focus the enlarger while down on the floor.
The reason for this long diatribe is that I, like you, searched for a
very stable enlarging platform that would stay square, not shake, and
allow me to easily print large prints from 35mm through 4x5. I can
attest to the fact that the ZBE (DeVere) and the Beseler 45V-XL
chassis are built like tanks. I also know that the LPL enlargers are
strong and square. These are what schools typically buy for their
darkrooms. And they have great neg carriers to boot.
I had my first darkroom in 1950. I had an old Federal enlarger. It
was old in 1950! Since then I have had many many enlargers and heads.
What I have now I find to be the best I have ever had. The APO
Componon HM lenses are, without a doubt, the best enlarging lenses I
have ever ever used. I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything I
know that currently exists.
Of what you listed in your post, I would definitely choose the LPL
and the APO-Componon lenses. Great enlarger, great lenses, and both
B&W and color heads. You cannot miss.
IMHO,
Jim
At 03:37 PM 11/20/2005, Thor Legvold wrote:
<snip>
3. I see very big price differences - f.x. there are here locally available right now a Durst AC 901 with Componon-S for $400, DeVere 504 tabletop model with Colour head, 50/80/150mm and extra goodies (offers wanted), and a LPL 7452 Diffusion Modular complete with both Vario-contrast and Colour module and APO-Componon 45 & 90mm for "only" $2500. What am I getting for $2500 vs $400, and what would a good price for the DeVere be? LPL is the same as Saunders, or is it Omega? Or something different?
4. Where can I find more info about enlargers, and how to choose which brand? I know I want a colour (dichro) head to make VC work easier, and being able to choose between diffuser/cold light would be nice. I plan on making 90% 6x6 enlargments up to 60x60cm (20x24"), with larger prints as my experience (and gear) allows later on. Paper size (sheet) is limited to 20x24,
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