Recommend me an enlarger.

[poppers]

Can someone recommend me an enlarger that fits the following criteria.

Small and compact - I'm low on space.
Ease of use - something not complicated to get the hang of
Cheap - not too expensive reliable with available spares or robust/reliable

Format 35 mm with option to print larger.

I like the look of the leica focomat with autofocus but it only does 35 mm

Thanks in advance.

Oh and I'm in the UK.



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[cliveh]

Durst Graduate.

[desertratt]

I just bought an Omega B-22. It is, in my view, smalish and will take 35mm and 120 negatives. I paid 85 bucks. Keep in mind if you have to buy negative carriers and lens boards extra, it can get expensive. Mine came with loads of stuff. I' ve owned a B-22 before and really like them.

[jernejk]

I'm very happy with meopta 5, it comes in case (if the owner kept it) so it's easy to store.

[pentaxuser]

The words cheap and Leica Focomat 35 tend to be mutually exclusive. It is probably one of the most expensive 35mm enlargers. Some would say its the Rolls Royce of 35mm enlargers

The Durst range might meet your specifications. In my experience the M605 might meet your requirements. It is a fairly robust enlarger, covers up to 6x6 negs and comes with a dichroic head for colour work which might be useful.

It might help us of you specify your price range and to our N American contributors can I say that Beselers are fairly rare here in the U.K. and the OP is U.K. based.

pentaxuser

[Alex Muir]

Leica focomat v35 is actually quite a big enlarger. The base is huge and the head rises quite a height at max enlargement. The Durst M601 is quite compact with capacity to 6x6. M605 and M670 can do 6x7, but column may be higher than 601. Parts for all these should be quite easy to locate (2nd hand). Leitz Valoy II can be found quite cheaply and is compact and high quality. It only does 35mm or smaller. If you have room for the Leitz v35, and only want to do 35mm, it is a superb enlarger. I hope you find something suitable. Alex

[BMbikerider]

LPL 6700 still a current model and spares (if they are ever needed) are readily available The bulb is a standard type used in most enlargers. Available to take 35mm up to 6x6 with the appropriate carrier. With 35mm film a 5mm lens will give you over a 16x12 print. I use one and I am more than happy with it.

[brian steinberger]

+1 for the LPL 6700. I have the 7700 model and love it!

[paul_c5x4]

Wouldn't recommend a Focomat to a new user - The early models used a lamp that is now obsolete and as rare as the proverbial rocking horse dung. It is not easy to identify the early models unless you know what questions to ask (particularly if you buy from ebay).

I'd suggest either a small Durst (600 or 800 series) or the LPL C7700.

[edibot42]

I like my Omega C700.