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Newbie enlarger question!
In a bit of a hurry here and this is a real 'newbie' question!
I am currently getting set up to do all my own processing at home. I have an opportunity to buy an enlarger on ebay at a real knock down price. However I am not sure if it is a colour or bw enlarger. I am also not sure of the difference between a colour and a bw enlarger. So my question is this: As it is my intention to only produce black and white prints, can I use a colour enlarger to produce black and white prints?
Any answers within the next thirty minutes would be great! lol!
Thanks in advance!
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Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh.
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The techies will be along shortly, but basic answers are yes you can (and many of us do) print b&w on a colour enlarger. Also another advantage is that you can dial in the filter settings for changing contrast.
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Excellent! Thanks Tony! Right back to ebay! lol!
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Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh.
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Yes you can make black and white images with a color enlarger. If it is color it is almost surely a diffusion enlarger. If it is black and white it is most likely a condenser, unless it has a special head. Post a link to it if you want some more information.
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The difference is in the controls. However there's no problem using a colour enlarger for b&w - in fact it can be easer.
A colour enlarger has three dials, which control the amount of yellow, magenta and cyan light.
When doing bw on VC paper, increase the magenta to get more contrast. You can balance it with the yellow filter (increasing yellow reduces contrast).
Ian
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Thanks for the rapid advice folks, unfortunately I got outbid. By one flippin pound! Ah well, better luck next time!
This is what I missed out on...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MEWA:IT
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Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh.
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I wouldn't sweat it. There are so many enlargers available no on the used market that you will have no problem finding something suitable in your price range. As far as Ebay is concerned, you can find bargains if you know what you're looking for. But haste makes waste. Do your research now and don't get in a hurry with Ebay!
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Anyone can appreciate a fine print. But it takes a real photographer to appreciate a fine negative.
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Andy There's plenty out there so better luck next time. Not heard of that make before but a quick google has one in a shop in Cambridge for £85.00. I wonder what the small wooden figure was though? 
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That had me curious too Tony!
Wfw, I figured that auction was a good bet as it wasn't just the enlarger for sale. I've been looking for a while now, but only at enlargers advertised as 'black and white', hence the 'can I?' question above! Thanks for the advice though, less haste is always wise.
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Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh.
✯
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Andy - Given the choice I'd always opt for a colour enlarger for all the reasons already posted here. The convenience of dialing the colours as Ian said will have the same effect on B&W as using filters, without the disadvantage of having loose filters that can get scratch lying around. Also I prefer the diffused light to the harsher condensed light.
After lots of advice here on APUG I eventually went like a bull at the gate for a Meopta, although I needed to do some work on it the "tractor" technology made it easy for me to strip and rebuild over a few hours. The real advantage though is I can use it for 35mm to MF negs 
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