Wanted: film developing kit

Plenty on fleabay etc. but no rush, so I thought I'd try here first.
Also idly looking out for enlarger etc.
and if you have a load of unwanted film in your freezer, even better

I might have a developing container = forget teh word for it.

Will have a look in my attic later

I have a three items from Patterson System 4:

Universal Developing Tank. Mint condition and still boxed and may not have been used!

Auto load reel again in Mint condition and boxed.

Dual Force Film washer - with a battered box.

Open to offers if you are interested.

I've got an enlarger, but I'm up in Cheshire. I bought it from a shop that was closing down (actually, a mate got it for me) and I've never used it other than to switch it on. Wouldn't want much for it, but shipping might be an issue unless it comes to pieces in a good way.

Thanks guys I'll pm you later when the children are in bed

In the mean-time can anyone offer any advice on enlargers?
I would like to print from 120 and 35mm and I guess it would be nice to go quite big.
Are lenses critical or am I safe with certain brands etc?

One enlarger I used in the past allowed you to turn the head around, so that instead of shining the image onto the base of the enlarger, you could bring it to the edge of the bench and shine onto the floor for extra magnification.

Ah yes, we used to do that at college. But I never took any notice of the make or lenses used

You'll recognise the names of the best lenses, Nikkor, Rokkor, Rodenstock, Schneider, etc.

f/4 lenses are generally 4 element designs, f/2.8 lenses are generally 6 element designs.

You can pick up Meopta stuff that is perfectly serviceable for not very much.

My first enlarger was a Meopta axomat, nothing wrong with it at all and it packed up into a nice handy carry box! I only upgraded to an LPL as I wanted medium format and the specific Meopta only catered for 35mm - there are meopta medium formats, but I mention the brand just to point out there are decent cheaper options. Bear in mind that some enlargers will only let you develop monochrome, but to be honest colour darkroom work is much more tricky all round.

You'll find it easier with different lenses for different film formats - roughly 50mm lenses for 35mm, around the 105 for medium format. You can use the 'wrong' lenses but you'll have to put up with awkward projections. As before meopta lenses are decent enough although - I have only got a meopta 105mm, my 50mm is Nikkor, and I've been pleased enough with both although I suspect the meopta probably isn't as sharp as a rodenstock or nikkor equivalent. As John mentions, faster lenses usually have more groups which usually (I'm not an expert in this) have lower abberation. They're also a little easier to work with as the image is brighter on the baseboard.

As an aside, I know some enlargers use a different screwthread for lenses (my axomat had a smaller thread than the LPL but I had a me0pota lens for it anyway. Not sure if this was something meopta did or that there are differing standards. I'm sure others could help.


I appreciate we're in the classified forums so I'll not labour this much further, but suggest you might look into local camera fairs - there's usually one or two people clearing out old darkroom gear, and you can find complete set-ups for decent money.

Thanks Mattie, Interesting stuff. Can the longer lens be used for 35mm too?
This info could go on a bit, so maybe John could move it to the film section?
Looks like I could get a Durst F60 for less than 50 quid. I think they are good, not sure what it's capable of yet...

That sounds a bargain - Durst have a very good reputation.

The F60 is (I think) condensing rather than diffusing which is generally seen as better for monochrome, although I think much of it is personal preference rather than absolutes. I think it matters more for pros than us mortals!

If I recall, you can use a MF lens with 35mm film, but you'll have a comparatively tiny image to work with or have to raise the enlarger head to awkward heights. Not sure what happens to focus or to IQ, I'm afraid. I think going the other way (using shorter focal length lenses on MF/LF) will result in cut-off, but I'm not sure.

I'd also suggest seeing what you can get with the enlarger - not sure if it has dial-in filters or requires separate filters you load into a slot or holder. If the latter, useful if they're included in the deal. Stuff like focus aids and easels are also very handy.


eta: Just had a quick google, looks like it uses slot-in filters in a tray but it also sounds like it might be 35mm only?

Most enlarger lenses are 39mm leica screw thread. Adapters are available for 42mm screw and also 25mm screw.

Camera lenses are not generally suitable for enlarging as they don't have a flat field, but some 50mm f/3.5 ones might be OK.

Ta John - I think my old Mepota may have been 25mm screwthread.

Have you though further? Are the items of interest?