I hate my enlarger(s)

[Wolfeye]

The C700 was purchased new. Silly, yes, but if we want enlarger companies to keep making them, we need to buy a new one once in a while

The condensors are firmly in place and I don't see any way they can be misaligned.

[clayne]

As asked previously: what aperture are you printing at?

[Wolfeye]

As asked previously: what aperture are you printing at?

I have been printing at f8. When I ran my tests last night it didn't matter what aperture I used. Light falloff was 1 full stop at all apertures.

[fotch]

The C700 was purchased new. Silly, yes, but if we want enlarger companies to keep making them, we need to buy a new one once in a while

The condensors are firmly in place and I don't see any way they can be misaligned.

Can you contact the merchant that sold you the enlarger? Or, get yourself a used Beseler 23C and never look back.

[Wolfeye]

Can you contact the merchant that sold you the enlarger? Or, get yourself a used Beseler 23C and never look back.

Aye, the 23C may be where I'll be going next... spotted one for local pickup on eBay (in Southern Wisconsin), for $50, but we can't make the time work. Ex-school enlargers. The guy selling them works at the school during the week (when I can't come), and on weekends, "drives a tractor" far enough away from the school that he is unwilling to come in then.

[TheFlyingCamera]

The condensers could be in in reverse order, or one or both of them could be inverted from their intended orientation. I'd suspect inverted condenser(s) for giving you falloff like that.

[Wolfeye]

The condensers could be in in reverse order, or one or both of them could be inverted from their intended orientation. I'd suspect inverted condenser(s) for giving you falloff like that.

With the C700, that is impossible. They only go in one way.

[clayne]

With the C700, that is impossible. They only go in one way.

Well given that the number of variables here is not infinite I'd say the problem is still solvable. Most threads like these usually result in something stupid or unmentioned as the cause.

How about the light bulb itself?

[Wolfeye]

Well given that the number of variables here is not infinite I'd say the problem is still solvable. Most threads like these usually result in something stupid or unmentioned as the cause.

How about the light bulb itself?

I wish I had a clue. Now, the head WAS removed a few weeks ago, and I just now put it back on, but there's nothing to that... not that I can see. It's 4 screws and done. True, the enlarger did work before, but I don't think I printed 11x14 with the LBL lens at all.

[Rick A]

I have several C-700s, the upper is removable, as is the lower, for cleaning. One or the other could very well be askew from shipping. Doesn't hurt to take it apaprt to clean and double check for placement. None of mine exhibit that problem, at worst, with a junk lens, I get 1/4 stop fall off at extreme enlargment.