question about a Durst enlarger...

hi ! (excuse me for this question, but i'm a beginner)

i have a Durst F60 enlarger.
Naturally, there is the filter drawer, where i know i can put the contrast
filters for multigrade papers, but there's also a red filter, which is
integrated in the enlarger head, that can be used or not.
when i use it, turning a little red knob, the projected image becomes red.

i can't understand what's its task : maybe it is useful to project the image
onto the paper without exposing it ?

thanks for your answers, and excuse me for my english.......

 

The red filter is supposedly so you can put the paper on the easel. Frame
and compose the print. I never use it on the one enlarger that has it and
I've never missed it on enlargers that don't. I figure sooner or later that
red filter would get me in trouble.

Nick

 

: hi ! (excuse me for this question, but i'm a beginner)

: i have a Durst F60 enlarger.
: Naturally, there is the filter drawer, where i know i can put the contrast
: filters for multigrade papers, but there's also a red filter, which is
: integrated in the enlarger head, that can be used or not.
: when i use it, turning a little red knob, the projected image becomes red.

: i can't understand what's its task : maybe it is useful to project the image
: onto the paper without exposing it ?

That's exactly what the red filter is for. On many enlargers, this filter
is on a small arm that swings in and out underneath the lens. I know it's
build into the enlarger head on a Durst M600, and perhaps on some other
Durst models. This allows you to check the positioning of the easel
before exposure.

Warren B. Hapke


: thanks for your answers, and excuse me for my english.......

 

Exactly.

 

i ask this because my enlarger doesn't have the switch to turn the light on
or off.
i just insert the plug, and it turns on, i remove the plug and it turns
off....
can i use this red knob as a substitute of the switch, or may i have
problems ?
thanks for answers !!!
p.s. i don't own the timer !!!

 

The Troll morphs once again.

 

: i ask this because my enlarger doesn't have the switch to turn the
light on
: or off.
: i just insert the plug, and it turns on, i remove the plug and it turns
: off....
: can i use this red knob as a substitute of the switch, or may i have
: problems ?
: thanks for answers !!!
: p.s. i don't own the timer !!!

It's unusual for the power cord not to have a switch in it that will
let you turn the enlarger on and off. Using the red knob as a substitute
for the switch is likely to cause minute vibrations in the enlarger head,
which will degrade sharpness in the final print.

In the US, hardware stores sell switches that can be spliced into
standard two-wire power cords. I would assume that you could find
something similar in Italy. If you have any mechanical ability at all,
it's a very easy fix.

Warren B. Hapke







: : > : hi ! (excuse me for this question, but i'm a beginner)
: >
: > : i have a Durst F60 enlarger.
: > : Naturally, there is the filter drawer, where i know i can put the
: contrast
: > : filters for multigrade papers, but there's also a red filter, which is
: > : integrated in the enlarger head, that can be used or not.
: > : when i use it, turning a little red knob, the projected image becomes
: red.
: >
: > : i can't understand what's its task : maybe it is useful to project the
: image
: > : onto the paper without exposing it ?
: >
: > That's exactly what the red filter is for. On many enlargers, this filter
: > is on a small arm that swings in and out underneath the lens. I know it's
: > build into the enlarger head on a Durst M600, and perhaps on some other
: > Durst models. This allows you to check the positioning of the easel
: > before exposure.
: >
: > Warren B. Hapke
: >
: >
: > : thanks for your answers, and excuse me for my english.......
: >
: >
: >

 

Ciao Beppe,

It is theorically feasible but I strongly advise you insert a switch in the power cord or, better,
buy a timer, a very simple one is enough.
You can find them very cheap on eBay, including pretty sophisticated timers (with analyzers which
may be somewhat to early for you as you're a beginner) at very low prices (50 Euros and less) on
eBay Germany.
Or ask the italian photo newsgroup (it.arti.fotografia), chances are someone close to you sells one.

Un salutone,

 

A timer is a most useful addition to any darkroom. If you get a Gralab 300
or equivalent you can use the same time for the enlarger and for timing
processing of you film developments. Very useful if you want consistent
repeatable results in the darkroom. If you didn't care about quality it's
unlikely you'd be posting here so I'd invest in a timer (or multiple timers,
I forget how many I own!).