Topic: Lina Bessonova's enlarger adventures

[Francois]

For those who drool just looking at huge enlargers, this one's for you
! No longer available

[lharby]

Gosh that must have set her back a few $

[Francois]

Well, I'd have to say yes and no. When you buy old industrial machines that are obsolete you often get to pay them for the weight of the metal.
But transporting heavy stuff is often expensive...

But one thing's for sure, she can be assured of the stability of the machine.

[lharby]

Yeah I was thinking about all the plumbing.

[Francois]

I must admit that bringing plumbing into old buildings can be a nightmare.
But since she's in Italy, that's no problem as she can always rely on Mario and Luigi to bring pipes where it's needed

[John Robison]

Is that an enlarger or process camera? What a monster, 1.5 tons she said, and here I thought a 4X5 Omega was big.
Full disclosure, I don't have or have ever had a 4X5 enlarger. Right now all I have is a little Durst F30, a 35mm only enlarger.
My next project is to build a fixed magnification enlarger that will enlarge 24X36mm negs to 6X9 inches on 8X10 paper. I calculate the whole rig will be about a foot sq. and 18 inches high with a LED light source. Very compact and fast to set up in a interior bathroom. 

[jojonas~]

My next project is to build a fixed magnification enlarger that will enlarge 24X36mm negs to 6X9 inches on 8X10 paper. I calculate the whole rig will be about a foot sq. and 18 inches high with a LED light source. Very compact and fast to set up in a interior bathroom. 

that sounds really interesting! I've been sketching at something like that myself. would be great fun to have something to do quick prints with. Anyhow, please put something up in the Articles section of the forums when you get around to building it

[Jeff Warden]

Wow, adventure indeed!  Thanks for sharing Francois.

[Francois]

You're welcome:)

John: I have an Omega D2 and can say it's not that big. The biggest enlarger I've seen so far is a Besseler 4x5. I can't remember the exact model name but it's a huge thing with a motorized lift for the head.