Gast
Hello,
I’m planning to start developing my own photos – at least the black-and-white ones – from now on. My biggest problem, though, is deciding which enlarger to buy. As I’m still a student, a second-hand model is probably my only option. I’ve had a look around and found a relatively inexpensive Meopta Axomat 5 (built in 1987) that seems to be in fairly good condition.
I’d now like to know whether accessories for this model are still available in shops and what your experiences with it have been.
I’d really appreciate lots of replies!!
Thanks
Steffi
Wolfi
Hello,
It’s best to have a look at FOTOIMPEX under ‘Second-hand’ and ‘Spare parts for Meopta’.
You’ll find some second-hand and some new accessories there (lens plates, masks, lamps, etc.).
However, these are for the Axomat 4; if in doubt, ask whether they’ll also fit the Axomat 5.
Best regards,
Wolfi
Wolfi
Hello,
I was wrong; there are accessories available for the Axomat 5 after all.
Best regards,
Wolfi
micha
Hi s-Steffi
For various reasons, I wouldn’t recommend the Meopa and Axomat enlargers. I had to switch from the Dunco-66 to these enlargers for a while. I just couldn’t get on with them. The focus doesn’t work as smoothly as with other manufacturers, and the negative stages are simply rubbish. The accessories are cheap, mind you, but I’d advise you to spend 2–3 weeks on eBay looking at listings for complete darkrooms/enlargers; that way you’ll get an idea of how much the individual units are worth. I can wholeheartedly recommend Dunco. Kaiser isn’t bad either, and the units are still being manufactured, so spare parts aren’t a problem. Whichever enlarger you buy, go for one with a colour head straight away; that way you can develop B&W and (you might want to develop colour in a year’s time) colour images. In any case, before you buy a unit, check the manufacturer’s website for technical specifications and… The internet is always a good resource, as is www.google.de if you’re looking for something. I myself have an Omega d5-xl, which is a 4×5 enlarger. What on earth is the price people are asking for the Axomat??
Regards, Micha
micha
Oh, I nearly forgot. Go for a 6×6 enlarger straight away. I moved over to medium/large format very quickly. And with a 6×6 enlarger, you’ll have all your options open. (They’re not any more expensive either.)
Micha
cfb_de
Hi Steffi,
Since you won’t be staying at KB for the rest of your career, you should decide now whether your negatives will be larger or smaller.
If you go for ‘smaller’ (Minox), the Axomat is better; otherwise, an Opemus.
I picked up an Axomat-3 very cheaply and cut out Minox stage inserts from thin black plastic film. That works well.
Then I took the plunge here with our hosts and bought a second-hand Opemus-5. The 6×15 cm film stage fits, so you can use it with AN glass or without (though really only for 35mm).
I’d recommend the Opemus, along with the 6×15 cm film stage and format masks/lenses to suit the negative. You can do almost anything with an 80mm Anaret, but at some point the exposure time becomes too long and the lens too weak. 35mm on 50x60 with an Anaret-80 is noticeably worse than with a Rodagon-80. Nevertheless, my Rodagon is gathering dust in the display cabinet.
With the Opemus-5, please note two things: a 75mm bulb is more than enough for MF, and the whole construction is a bit wobbly if you really want to use the filter drawer. That’s why I place the MG filters on the holder of the (removed) red filter. I’m just as happy with my Opemus as I used to be with the Durst M605 in the school darkroom, for a quarter of the second-hand price.
For most ‘middle-aged’ Meoptas (Opemus-5, Axomat-5), you can still get almost every part from our hosts here.
But if I were you, I’d recommend an Opemus-5. One with a filter drawer, so you can fit a diffuser disc in there and you’ve got a wonderful enlarger with indirect and soft light. And then please, with an Anaret-50. The Belares really aren’t that great. They’re more the sort of thing where the manufacturer should be considering a full refund as part of their ‘customer care’.
Gast
Hi Steffi
I’ve been using an Opemus for ‘years’ and I’m absolutely chuffed with it.
It’s a sturdy bit of kit and well-made.
I’m sure Dunco and the like have even better models on offer, but if you’re
on a tight budget, get yourself a Meopta (second-hand) and my tip is to ring FOTOIMPEX and ask for their advice!
If the Dunco is the Golf GTI with Alcantara trim, the Meopta is the fighter with the sturdy houndstooth upholstery... indestructible!
Gast
Yeah, yeah, you can certainly get by with the Opemus and Axomat cameras – but if you plan to stick with this hobby (which is a lovely one, after all) for a while longer, save up a bit and buy something decent. The most important thing really is the lens. Do have a look on eBay – you can get a new Rodagon 50 or 80 for 50 euros!! They’re worlds better than the second-hand Anaret lenses... The lens is the most important thing!!! If you’re using black-and-white gradation paper, I’d recommend a colour head or the Ilford films. That way you’ll also get half-stop gradations. You can get those really cheap on eBay too.
Regards, Micha
fotohuisrovo
:huh:
Hi Steffi,
We’ve got another Opemus III with an El Nikkor 50mm lens in stock. Suitable for black and white up to 6×6 format and fitted with an opal bulb (75 watts). We usually get these returned when we sell a Dunco II (XL) 67 VC. I’ll give it to you for free (value
cfb_de
Hi Robert,
The world’s a small place, isn’t it? :-)
To Steffi:
The Opemus-3 is a good piece of kit. If I were you, I’d take Robert up on his offer. There aren’t many ‘accessories’ available for it anymore (so do ask our hosts more often), but apart from a 35mm-compatible mask (the full-glass mask works well for this) and a set of MG filters (the small ones are fine for placing on the red filter holder), you won’t need much else. The Nikkor is a good lens for 35mm if you don’t want to go straight for 40x50.
In my own experience, cash letters do arrive in the Netherlands.
Best regards,
Franz
fotohuisrovo
:huh:
Hi Franz,
Yes, the internet at DuKa isn’t very good. I’ve also seen that you’ve got a forum meeting on Thursday 24 July 2003 in Stuttgart. As it happens, I’ll be touring Europe next week. We’ll have to see if I can fit it into my schedule.
Steffi, it’s best if you get in touch via email. We can then discuss the further details.
Best regards,
Robert
cfb_de
Hi Robert,
That would be great if it works out. You can find the online map of Stuttgart under
‘Stadtplan Stuttgart’. Silberburgstr. 88 is about 1.5 km north-north-west of the Feuersee S-Bahn station. The map also shows you the car parks nearby.
Have a go and see if you can manage it – that would be really great.
Best regards,
Franz
Gast
Hi Franz,
What’s on my map (and now on paper) is Stuttgart Central Station.
How far am I from 88 Silberburgstraße?
Perhaps you could send me your mobile number (by email).
As I (also) have to go to Munich, I usually travel via Heilbronn because there’s less traffic on the motorway there. Stuttgart is pretty busy.
Let’s see if it works out.
Best regards from Holland,
Robert
cfb_de
Hello Robert,
I’ve just sent you an email with my phone number and a useful section of the Stuttgart city map.
Best regards,
Franz
fotohuisrovo
:huh:
Franz,
What rubbish have you sent me with that Daimler computer! I’m afraid it can’t read my email (HTML format?).
Could you please try again?
Best regards,
Robert
fotohuisrovo
:huh:
Hi Franz,
I’ve now figured out how the city map works and found Silberburgstraße 88. It’s actually quite close to the centre.
From Thursday morning (24 July 2003), I’m driving from Bystricka (SK), staying with Martin (SK), to Stuttgart (D). Hopefully I’ll make it in 9 hours.
Best regards,
Robert
