Hey all,

just wanted to throw this out there since I spent a lot of time searching for them. I got a Durst L1200 EM also known as a Durst L1200 Varipoint Enlarger for free. It was barely ever used...purchased for an electron microscope lab that didn't get a lot of use. It came with two lenses (schneider componon-S 50mm and 150mm), two sets of condensers, some negative carriers, a really nice grain focuser, a Gralab 545 timer, and some various other insundries including the transformer. It did not come with a manual. After much looking, I actually emailed Durst in Italy and they sent one for free. The manual they sent is for the more common Variable contrast head, B&W condenser (standard) head, and the Dicrho.

I went back to my source for the enlarger and was able to get the original manual for the Varipoint head.

So, now I have both manuals scanned as .pdf files in the event that someone needs them. I feel that since Durst sent the manual to me for free, I would be doing them a favor (they paid for postage from Italy). If you have a Varipoint (point light source) head like I do, then chances are you won't find a manual anywhere (mine says 1986 on the copyright, though the enlarger was bought new in 1995). Durst didn't even offer to sell me one.

Anyway... now I am waiting for the opal lamp holder I ordered from Jens at Durst Pro so I can convert the head into a standard condender (albeit a really snazzy one with coated condensers and a coated mirror!). The opal lamp holder costs LESS than a new point light source BULB!

Now I need to get cracking on building my basement darkroom! I was going to hold off indefinitely, but a free L1200 is a little crazy. It is so tall I will probably have to put the baseboard on the floor for it to work.

I've just come by a massive Durst 8x10 with modified variable contrast head. I'd love to have a manual. How would you suggest communicating a PDF? I'm new to the forum and don't know the protocol

yes please send me the pdf!

Hi

I have tried to get a manual for my Durst Laborator 900 with VLS 500.
Durst in Italy gave me the address to the Swedish (retailer?/reseller?).
The problem is that Molander i Stockholm can not help me.

Do you have such a good connection with Durst that you could help me out?

/Erik Schalin
Sweden

Erik,
You could try: www.oldtimercameras.co.uk

Hello there

I would be very greatfull if you could send me the manual for the l1200 condenser and vc head

thanks

Peter

I guess I could use one too..for my L1200 CS501.

I also need femomasks for this (standard version) if any of you have extras??
Many thanks!

Hey all,
Anyway... now I am waiting for the opal lamp holder I ordered from Jens at Durst Pro so I can convert the head into a standard condender (albeit a really snazzy one with coated condensers and a coated mirror!). The opal lamp holder costs LESS than a new point light source BULB!

I'd be interested in the manual to the Varipoint. I have the kit for my 900 and my idea is to try to convert a Osram 58.8107 (12v/100w) to fit the E27. Its got a BA21s3 socket see http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/58.8107.html--- forget Don's exorbatant price, I've just linked to his page to show the bulb. The Osram bulb seems very similar except than that it uses bayonet. The filament is anyway what matters and their is a lot of room to move the socket around--- I got a few sockets and they look not too significantly different from the standard one for the Opal bulb.. Why could one not use them--- other than maybe needing in North America to change the plug?

I've not gotten around to writing Durst but since you've already scanned.. it... Please...

May email: edz@bsn.com

I guess I could use one too..for my L1200 CS501.

I also need femomasks for this (standard version) if any of you have extras??
Many thanks!
What size of Femomasks do you need?
Gord

Wow- I'd really like to get my hands on one of those operating manuals for the L1200 Varipoint. I just got my hands on this enlarger from UCLA's Biology Department that was used gently for $400.00 but, alas, it came without a manual and even though I've used a Durst enlarger for a year, it was not this model. I'm lost- so very lost. And, something you said about opal bulbs caught my eye. What is that and why the switch?

I appreciate the time you've taken to compile this information and your overwhelming generosity.

Wow- I'd really like to get my hands on one of those operating mauals of the L1200 Varipoint. I just got my hands on this enlarger from UCLA's Biology Department that happened to be gently used for $400.00 but, alas, it came without a manual and even though I've used a Durst enlarger for a year, it was not this model. I'm lost- so very lost. And, something you said about opal bulbs caught my eye. What is that and why the switch?

I hate to drag you away from enlarging the next masterpiece but, selfishly, I appreciate your overwhelming generosity and the time you've taken to compile this information.

Hi
I’m a Portuguese photographer that bought a Durst L1200 a few days ago, unfortunately the seller only have the manual in German. I’m trying to find out who I can have it in English when I find you.
Can you send me the manual?
If so, my email address is paulopintao@gmail.com
Thank you.
Many regards
Paulo

Wow- I'd really like to get my hands on one of those operating manuals for the L1200 Varipoint. I just got my hands on this enlarger from UCLA's Biology Department that was used gently for $400.00 but, alas, it came without a manual and even though I've used a Durst enlarger for a year, it was not this model. I'm lost- so very lost. And, something you said about opal bulbs caught my eye. What is that and why the switch?

I appreciate the time you've taken to compile this information and your overwhelming generosity.
Hi all, I know it's been a while since the last posting, but if anyone could send me a copy of the manual for the L1200 (I have a BW) I'd be eternally grateful. Happy New Year!

Wally Ip

Hi there,
I too just found a Durst Varipoint enlarger, but also have no manual. If you are still around, I would LOVE to have a copy of yours!

Also, can you please tell me more about this conversion to an Opal bulb. My pulamp bulb just popped.

Thank you for any help you can offer.


Hey all,

just wanted to throw this out there since I spent a lot of time searching for them. I got a Durst L1200 EM also known as a Durst L1200 Varipoint Enlarger for free. It was barely ever used...purchased for an electron microscope lab that didn't get a lot of use. It came with two lenses (schneider componon-S 50mm and 150mm), two sets of condensers, some negative carriers, a really nice grain focuser, a Gralab 545 timer, and some various other insundries including the transformer. It did not come with a manual. After much looking, I actually emailed Durst in Italy and they sent one for free. The manual they sent is for the more common Variable contrast head, B&W condenser (standard) head, and the Dicrho.

I went back to my source for the enlarger and was able to get the original manual for the Varipoint head.

So, now I have both manuals scanned as .pdf files in the event that someone needs them. I feel that since Durst sent the manual to me for free, I would be doing them a favor (they paid for postage from Italy). If you have a Varipoint (point light source) head like I do, then chances are you won't find a manual anywhere (mine says 1986 on the copyright, though the enlarger was bought new in 1995). Durst didn't even offer to sell me one.

Anyway... now I am waiting for the opal lamp holder I ordered from Jens at Durst Pro so I can convert the head into a standard condender (albeit a really snazzy one with coated condensers and a coated mirror!). The opal lamp holder costs LESS than a new point light source BULB!

Now I need to get cracking on building my basement darkroom! I was going to hold off indefinitely, but a free L1200 is a little crazy. It is so tall I will probably have to put the baseboard on the floor for it to work.

Hi everyone! Dear nomoreroger, I would also like to get both manual files.. Please send it to vsementsov*gmail.com

thanks!!

Hi! I'm waiting for manual from you :)
my email you can find in my public profile
thanks!

Erik,
You could try: www.oldtimercameras.co.uk

Sorry for not saying thank you, earlier.
It worked.

Now the problem is that it is rather complicated and I´m afraid to assemble it wrong.
I don´t want to make things worse...

Thank you very much for the tip.

Hi there,
I too just found a Durst Varipoint enlarger, but also have no manual. If you are still around, I would LOVE to have a copy of yours!

Still don't have a copy. Would be nice (but clearly not mission critical).

Also, can you please tell me more about this conversion to an Opal bulb. My pulamp bulb just popped.
There are sockets available for using 2-pin halogen (GX) bulbs in E27 fixtures. I got one that was intended for studio lights. Screw adapter into a Durst E27 bulb fixture--- actually the same fixture for the Pulam (which is also a screw type E27 base)-- and bulb into adapter. Power plug into the the Variopoint controller (vario transformer). The bulb can be adjusted forwards, up, down, backwards. One adjusts until the filament is a point. Bi-pin 12v Halogen projector bulbs (for example the 50 watt BRL lamp) are common and inexpensive. The Osram Sylvania (58684, 64458AX) is 12v/90w and a good match. I got a 100 watt bulb from a larger fixture of a better grade from Osram that was intended for use in a scanner. The only advantage of the Pulam is that it saves the need for an adapter-- although one could just wire up a bulb to the socket part of an old E27 household bulb. The Variopoint is a 20v source and is designed to overdrive the bulb. Start on low (recall since we don't have use of the lens aperture we need to control the light level via a transformer).