Durst CLS450
Ron Frank
I'm considering purchasing a Durst CLS450 enlarger. Any
experience/comments on this Enlarger would be appreciated.
Also, what should I expect to pay for it used in EX++ condition
with lensboard, neg carriers, and power supply.
--
Ron Frank
Mirror Image Photography
francesco curcio
1200 enlarger, equipped with its first-version CLS 450 color head (you should
see the model name on the right side of the head base). Both have been
introduced in the market in the late 1970s, and have a high reputation for
professional job. The enlarger is still marketed (with minor changes in the
focusing knob to make focusing easier at high positions of the head). The color
head has gone through some more consistent changes in the following CLS 500 and
CLS 501 models but is also basically.the same. The new versions have a fourth
progressive neutral density filter -up to 2 stops- added to the three colored
ones: it can be used to keep constant the printing time using the most suitable
lens opening and enlarging size - useful if you should need a more comfortable
time when burning and dodging without stopping down too much. Condenser and
point-light BW heads are also available. There are lots of (pricy) accessories
(film masks without glass, light diffusing boxes for various formats -you must
get the Femobox 450 N for 4x5-, rapid rollfilm holder, etc.), the lamp is
dichroic 250 W 24 V and has an external transformer or a stabilizer-transformer
(the latter is more suitable for professional color job, making possible
absolute color stability not affected by feeding changes, but I wouldn't care so
much). Be sure to get one of them, anyway.
The big rear coil spring that balances the head weight is reported to be the
weakest point of this otherwise strong and precision-engineered enlarger - a
friend of mine broke two springs, after a long time of very tough up and down
daily professional use, though. Check with care the head, in particular the
smooth operation of the knobs that move the dichroic filters, WITH THE HEAD
FULLY WARMED UP (out of order inner gearings more easily harden that way). Be
prepared to exercise your muscles when tilting and rotating the head or the lens
holder (normal use is not so strenuous, though), and NEVER remove the head if
it's not raised at the UPPER end position. DO NOT trust the locking knob in
lower positions without the head weight counter-balancing the spring: it is
likely to suddenly and violently shoot up breaking the soft teflon locking gears
- it happened to me, so you'd better check the shape and smoothness of these
gearings unlocking and moving slowly up and down the head and inspecting with
the greatest care the integrity of the teeth of the external teflon rack at the
right back of the column.
If you get a nice price (Durst is not the cheapest brand around) you'll have a
really professional tool for 4x5 printing (a little more clumsy for rollfilm
with the standard film holder, as you can expect). I have been using the Lab
1200 and CLS 500 head (as an amateur photographer) for a long time with full
satisfaction. E-mail to me if you need further details.
Francesco Curcio
Giorgio
RF> !usenet From: Ron Frank <ron....@consumer.mci.com>
RF> Newsgroups: rec.photo.darkroom
RF> Subject: Durst CLS450
RF> I'm considering purchasing a Durst CLS450 enlarger. Any
RF> experience/comments on this Enlarger would be appreciated.
RF> Also, what should I expect to pay for it used in EX++ condition
RF> with lensboard, neg carriers, and power supply.
RF> --
RF> Ron Frank
RF> Mirror Image Photography
The CLS450 is the designation for the color head, not the enlarger.
That particular head was used on a few different enlargers. If memory
serves there was a CE1000 which was sold for a while as an assembled in USA
model called the "Pro" (I have been happily using this for close to 20
years now) and the L1200. The L1200 was quite a bit more expensive (in
fact it is still available, though they've updated the color head...about
$5000 bucks new) with pin regstered negative carrier and tilting and
shifting lens and negative stages. My enlarger and the head cost around
$1000 in the late 70's.
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
Ron Frank
francesco curcio wrote:
>
> Ron Frank wrote:
> >
> > I'm considering purchasing a Durst CLS450 enlarger. Any
> >
> > Ron Frank
> Mirror Image PhotographyThe following note applies if you are (as I think) > considering a Durst Laborator
> 1200 enlarger, equipped with its first-version CLS 450 color head (you should
> see the model name on the right side of the head base).
> Francesco Curcio
Thanks to both Francesco and Giorgio for taking the time to respond. I will check the
enlarger out in more detail this week.
The camera store wants $1450 for the enlarger, and a bunch of accessories including
lens board, neg carriers of various sizes, power supply, etc. They say it's 6-7 years
old, so I'm going to try and verify that. It's appears to be in Great shape, however I
have not really gone over it yet. Does that price sound reasonable??
I've contacted several used vendors (KEH, NYC equipment suppliers) but can not find
anything to compare this too. $1450 for a good color head, and 4x5 seems reasonable,
but I hate to fly blind.
Thanks again, I may EMail for more info before the purchase, however I've had much
trouble with my EMAIL address so It would be good for any response to be posted.
Francesco Curcio
Ron Frank wrote:
>
>
> Thanks to both Francesco and Giorgio for taking the time to respond. I will check the
> enlarger out in more detail this week.
>
> The camera store wants $1450 for the enlarger, and a bunch of accessories including
> lens board, neg carriers of various sizes, power supply, etc. They say it's 6-7 years
> old, so I'm going to try and verify that. It's appears to be in Great shape, however I
> have not really gone over it yet. Does that price sound reasonable??
>
> I've contacted several used vendors (KEH, NYC equipment suppliers) but can not find
> anything to compare this too. $1450 for a good color head, and 4x5 seems reasonable,
> but I hate to fly blind.
>
> Thanks again, I may EMail for more info before the purchase, however I've had much
> trouble with my EMAIL address so It would be good for any response to be posted.
> --
> Ron Frank
> Mirror Image Photography
Ron, I could give you more information, about prices, too (though I am living in Italy
and you should thake them "cum grano salis") but of course I'd need to know if you are
considering the Lab 1200 or not. Anyway the basic enlarger price here refers to the
enlarger itself equipped with neg carrier (with glasses). Than you can add the head
(color or B/W), its transformer, an adpter suitable to attach the head to the enlarger,
a light diffusion box for the format of your choice, and so on. Everything comes with
its (high) price. I think that at least another Durst model, the 900, accepted the CLS
450 color head, so let me know
Francesco Curcio
P.S. I too had troubles E-mailing to you, but received your message.
Francesco Curcio
Jim 'Norton' Davis
gio...@channel1.com (Giorgio) wrote:
>
>___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
But the Laborator came in so many different configs too. I have two at
work, totally different, using the same column. One is a pivoting head
with flat metal carriers, the other pint registered slide in carriers.
The latter is the best, and the tilt up head was called Durst Pro on
the front, but Laborator 1200 on the side. The heads are basically the
same CLS450. My favorite, the best, amen. I like the directly down
light path, rather than the 45 degree reflected of the Omega. With tow
nege carriers, this enlarger is great for double exposures, etc.