This wooden contraption incorporates parts from my Durst Laborator 1000 4x5” enlarger, with which I made thousands of black and white prints in the 70’s and 80’s. I preferred printing then without the diffuser under the condensers so was determined to build this digitising setup to try collimated and diffuse illumination. “The comparison later in an appropriate topic?” The stand can also be used for reflective copy up to A3.
Four condensers can be interchanged for 4x5”, 6x6cm and 35mm formats along with lens focal lengths. I have replicated their respective positions from the enlarger including the lamp-house which can be further adjusted on the column for experimentation. The adjustable condenser positions are for use with a Ø65mm opal lamp (Philips Photocrescenta 150W).
I intentionally made this a sturdy unit, the column is bolted to the platform and stand base. In use the stand is clamped front and back to my heavy workbench. When I focus, the maximum magnified image does not jiggle. I discovered the Velmex Unislide at Robert O’Toole’s “Close-Up Photography” site. Unlike macro rails the Unislide can be used vertically with no instability, adjustment has no backlash and it holds position when focused without brake. A lens collar mounts the lens+camera at centre of gravity.
Our negs and transparencies are stored flat in neg files so I use Plustek OpticFilm Strip Holders for 35mm, 120 roll film and slides. They align against either a horizontal or vertical adjustable guide for easy and quick capture. The Photocrescenta is once again switched with my Novex enlarger timer (exposure time is set at the computer!). Screen mirroring iPad clips to column head.
