So Let Me Ask You Guys Something...

[John D. Romano]

I got some GAS and felt the need recently to finally print some of my several hundred 4 X 5 and 6 X 6 negatives I have shot over the years... until now I was using an old Omega B600 to do only 35mm.

Did I get a good deal on this or not ?
It's all on it's way to me now via FEDEX in 5 big boxes..


http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ws/eBayISAPI....EOIBSA:US:1123

[david b]

I am using the 4550xlg with dichroic head and love it.

You paid $1355. Not bad I guess.

[Stock Dektol]

That thing is serious. It looks to be in great shape. Good luck to ya.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Yes and no. On the one hand, it's a current product of excellent quality that would cost you three or four times what you paid for it, if you bought that enlarger with all those accessories today.

On the other hand, people are giving away fantastic equipment for pennies on the dollar today, so depending on how hard you want to hunt for bargains, working eBay and Craigslist, how far you're willing to drive, you might have found something comparable or better or maybe not as good but adequate for your needs for substantially less money.

If you're happy with it, then you did well and can move on from the acquisition phase, set it up, and start printing.

[k_jupiter]

I'm with David on this one.

While for the money you got a good deal for that product, you might have overestimated the quality of equipment required to accomplish the job.

A MX45 will print the same negatives at a lot lower cost. The inclusion of the color head allows for a lot of fancy assed split printing schemes using the dichroic filters so that is an advantage.

Me?, I like to use filters when printing MC papers, but I really love using what few single grade papers there are left.

So don't feel bad. Just use the "Last enlarger you will ever buy."


tim in san jose

[JBrunner]

That is a great enlarger. I've seen them go for less, but not in that kind of shape, and not with a seller willing to ship, so I think you got a fair deal.

[Bob-D659]

I'd say you did well, yes the older ones are a lot less $$$, but some(most) of them need a fair bit of mechanical work and cleaning. You really need to try some RA-4 processing as well.

[slumry]

I just got a refurbished LPL 4550 XL from KHB for a bit more than what you paid and without lens so you did well pricewise. I highly recommend KHB, they sell parts and are excellent on service. Helps spending that much money on an enlarger a lot easier knowing there is still support. As for the model, I had been using an Omega D5 in good shape, after using the LPL at a workshop, it was a no brainer. The D5 is solid but is designed like a Buick. The LPL is thoughtfully designed and handles like a BMW. I doubt that I will ever need another enlarger.

[mike c]

Yeeessss !!! sir thats alot of enlarger there. I like that idea of the VC function. mike c.

[Chan Tran]

That's a lot of enlarger! I think it's worth it because of the condition. It's rich for my blood though. I got a Beseler CB7 with the dichro DG head for $100. Got a Minolta/Sargent Welch color translator for $25 and pipe the light from the enlarger colorhead to the probe of this unit using a fiber optic cable and now I have a very precise filtration and light intensity readout.