So I am jumping into this all in, headfirst. Lots of DR experience, however not in this format and not with this machine.
I just (somehow) scored a De Vere 810H horizontal enlarger for a really great price. I drive 10 hours to pick it up in the next day or two.
Sadly, the unit does not come with a lens. However it does come with 2 lens panels, 1 flat and 1 recessed panel, color head etc. Presumably I am assuming each panel is used for different focal lengths. I ordered the manual as well, however I'd like to get user insight if possible.
Does anyone out there have recommendation for a nice lens? I am printing from 8x10 primarily. SO 300mm to 360mm would be ideal. My question is should I be looking for a specific thread size? or would any 300mm enlarging lens do the trick?
Also, regarding laser leveling, any insight for this process? Tools used, tricks. I am printing b&w mural size prints, using a trough style developing method (hopefully). Sizing will vary, but starting 80x50ish.
Thanks for the help!
~Ashlyn
De Vere Enlarger Manual Arts And Science
A good 80mm would possibly be any of the following three lenses, the Nikon 80mm. Schneider Componon 80mm, or Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm It is the lens to film distance which to some extent governs the degree of enlargement. Is there any obstruction stopping the full focussing movement or does the enlarger head go right to the top of the column. Tyranids color scheme generator. Make offer - De Vere Recessed Enlarger Lens Mount Plate - Unthreaded - 26.2mm hole. De Vere 54 Negative Carrier Insert for 6x9 film negatives. £20.00 + £21.41 postage. The prints I made on the De Vere's are indistinguishable from those I make at home. But they had cool adjustment dials at bench height making quick focus and height adjustments a breeze. They also had timers that let you set the filter grade directly. But using manual filters doesn't make the print worse, it's just a bit more fiddly. That enlarger was a tough workhorse, and I got years of good service from it; used it mainly for 4 x 5 and 6 x 7cm. For 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 and 35mm, I had the Durst M605, which, with its color head, was good for variable contrast printing. I donated those enlargers, and the rest of my darkroom equipment, to the Colby College Art Department in 2005.