What type enlarger would you recommend on a limited income that would put out a high quality 8x10 B/W. I want to start developing my own B/W film and could use all the help I can get. Thanks...Gene

-- Gene Brown (genedonna@the-i.net), January 13, 2001

Answers

There are so many kinds of enlargers available it is almost impossible to make a recommendation. Buy a copy of Shutterbug--you should find plenty of ads for enlargers in there. You might also check out The Darkroom Guy at:

http://www.photomall.com/d krmguy.htm

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), January 16, 2001.

Hey Gene, make sure you know what your looking for in your print before you buy your enlarger. An enlarger with a condenser head will produce more contrast in your image then say a dichroic colour head. I recommend you try different types before you actually buy one. An other thing to look for is a good quality lens. Even if you change your enlarger you can keep the lens for your upgrade. Working with a good quality lens will make all the difference in your prints.

-- Joseph Folino (joefolino@hotmail.com), January 30, 2001.

Gene, I found an old Bessler model 23c in a photo shop that has some used equipment. It came with a 50mm bessler lens. It's the same type of enlarger I used in high school too many years ago! I bought it for 200.00 and love the old beast! It does a really good job on 35mm prints up to 11x14, and some really sharp negitives even larger. Look around and don't pass up the old ones!

-- Janet Knab (photojanet2256@cs.com), October 01, 2001.