Ollinger's Guide to Photographic Enlargers: Miscellaneous Make Enlargers

Introduction

A large number of companies made enlargers over the years. In cases where I had enough to justify giving a brand its own page, I have done so; these are the rest.

This may be sparse, but in most cases, the information here is all I have to go on, and I'm fortunate I have this much.

I have a few of Instruction Manuals and brochures available for download.

Quick Comparison

Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Baco	(none)	n/a	1940s - 1980s	6 x 9 cm	18 x 24	condenser	n/a	No	n/a	4, 6	Converts to copy stand; comes with negative carrier. $50
Baco	Precision	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Diffusing condensers	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2
Compco	620	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Diffusion	Helical	No	Single post	2	Mfg by Compco
Cosar/Mornick	371R		1981	6x7cm	18 x 24"	Diffusion		No		4	Voltage-regulated power supply for colorhead; film advances in carrier. Model 371U same but with unregulated p/s.
Curtis	Color Film Enlarging Printer	USA	Late 1940s	35mm	n/a	Condenser (plastic)	Optical bench design	No	Optical Bench design	6	Specially made for making 4x5 color separation negatives from 35mm transparencies. Mfg by Curtis Labs
Curtis	Enlarging Color Printer	USA	Late 1940s	35mm	n/a	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2	Specially made for color printing. Mfg by Curtis Labs
DeJur	Versatile I	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Double condenser	Bellows	No	Single post	2	Mfg by DeJur Amsco
DeJur	Versatile II	USA	Late 1940s	3-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Double condenser	Bellows	No	Single post	2	Mfg by DeJur Amsco
DeJur	Versatile Professional	USA	Late 1940s	4x5	n/a	Double condenser	Bellows	No	Single post	2	Mfg by DeJur Amsco
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Engineered Products	Unicam	USA	Late 1940s	4x5"	n/a	Diffusion	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2	Used owner's camera as the lens stage
Fotar	4x5		1981	4 x 5"	26 x 36"	Diffusion		Yes		4	Autofocus with manual override; blower cooled
Fotar	10		1981	8 x 10"	26 x 36"	Diffusion		Yes		4	Autofocus with manual override; blower cooled
Fotar	FH 810		1983	10 x 10"		condenser or diffusion		no		5	Horizontal model; fully motorized; dual speed, 2-direction remote of lens and chassis $9,000-11,250
Fotar	FV 45		1983	4 x 5"	30 x 36"	condenser or diffusion		no		5	Freestanding on 7'6" frame; 30x30 copyboard; manual operation. $3,950
Fotar	FV 810-100		1983	10 x 10"	32 x 42"	condenser or diffusion		no		5	Freestanding on 8' frame; $6,930
Fotar	FV 810-101		1983	10 x 10"	32 x 42"	condenser or diffusion		no		5	Wall mounted on 10' frame. $9,135
Fotar	FV 810-200		1983	10 x 10"	32 x 42"	condenser or diffusion		no		5	Freestanding on 8' frame. $5,890
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Hansa	H-2000	n/a	1981	6 x 6cm	14-12 x 17-3/4"	Condenser		No		4	Easy conversion to copy stand
Hansa	Prima 35	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	10 x 12	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	1, 3
Hansa	Prima 6 x 6	n/a	mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	14 x 16	Double condenser	Helical	No	Single post with parallelogram	1, 3
Homrich	VA 120T	n/a	1981	5 x 5"	30 x 40"	diffusion		No		4	Motorized focus, 1000W lamp, digital electronic autofocus option and copy adapter available (VA 120D includes triopod column and motorized adjustable table plate)
Homrich	VA 180T	n/a	1981	5 x 7 "	30 x 40"	diffusion		No		4	Motorized focus, 1000W lamp, digital electronic autofocus option and copy adapter available (VA 180D includes triopod column and motorized adjustable table plate)
Homrich	VA 200T	n/a	1981	10 x 10"	30 x 40"	diffusion		No		4	Motorized focus, 2000W lamp, digital electronic autofocus option and copy adapter available
Homrich	VA 250T	n/a	1981	10 x 10"	30 x 40"	diffusion		No		4	Motorized focus, 2000W lamp, digital timer and shutter; digital display of filter values; motorized baseboard; digital electronic autofocus option and copy adapter available
Homrich	VVA 250	n/a	1981	10 x 10"	horizontal	diffusion		No		4	Horizontal model; motorized adjustments; twin-guided lens carrier; 4-way masking
Ihagee	Lumimax	n/a	Late 1930s	5x6cm	n/a	n/a	Helical	No	Single post	Link	Comes with wooden case for travel
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Kalt	Parallelogram #66	n/a	1981	6 x 6cm	13-1/2 x 17-1/4"	condenser		No		4	Base converts to copy stand
Kenro	UES-10	n/a	1983	10 x 10"	35 x 37"	diffusion		No		5	Includes Omega D5500 color head with closed loop dichro light system; 20x24 vacuum easel, motorized lens and neg carrier drive; $9,475-$14,750
Keyser	Cold Light	USA	Late 1940s	4 x 5"	n/a	Cold light	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2
Kindermann	Amatofirm III	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	10 x 12	Single condenser	Helical	No	Oblique post	1, 3
Kindermann	Amatofix and Amotfix-Automat	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	16x20	Single condenser	Helical	No	Oblique post	1
Kindermann	Amatograph-Automat	n/a	mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	15-½ x 23-½	Single condenser	Rack & Pinion	Yes	Single post with parallelogram	3
Lewco	Minilite	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Diffusion	Rack & pinion/helical	No	Single post	2
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Magnalux	35	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	18 x 24	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Magnalux	120	n/a	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	14 x 19	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Magnalux	Super	n/a	Mid 1960s	4 x 5	18 x 25	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Marful	Model 44	USA	Late 1940s	4x5	n/a	Diffusion	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	6	Direct-positive reflection enlarger/reducer
Minori	4 x 5	n/a	Mid 1960s	4 x 5	24 x 30	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
National	G-33	USA	Late 1940s	4 x 5	n/a	Cold light	Friction	No	Single post	6	Two sets of bellows-above and below negative carrier to allow perspective control
Ocean	Ocean	n/a	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	14-½ x 18	Double condenser	Friction	No	Single post	3
Patterson	35mm B&W	n/a	1981	35mm	15-1/2 x 16"	condenser		No		4
Patterson	35mm Color	n/a	1981	35mm	15-1/2 x 16"	condenser		No		4	13 color filters and UV filter built into the head; lever slides the fitlers into the light pathy; illuminated filter indicators (with developing and printing kit)
Paxomat	IC	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	10 x 12	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	Yes	Single post	1, 3
Paxos	6B	n/a	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	14 x 18	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Paxota	35-S	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	10 x 12	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Oblique post	1
Peco	1A	Canada	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Diffusion	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2
Peco	1B	Canada	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	2
Photo-Sphere	Senator	USA	Late 1940s	3-¼ x 4-¼"	n/a	Diffusion	Friction	No	Single post	6
Printex	n/a	USA	Late 1940s	4x5	n/a	Double condenser	Friction	No	Single post	6
Precise	160-A	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Diffusion	Helical	No	Single post	2	Mfg by American Photo Labs
Primos	Autofocus 35 Pro	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	15-½ x 19-½	Double condenser	Helical	Yes	Single post	1
Primos	Autofocus 35 Junior	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	15 x 18-½	Single condenser	Helical	Yes	Single post	1, 3
Primos	Testreflex 35	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	14 x 17-½	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	1, 3, Link	Reflex system for focusing test negative
Primos	Testreflex 2-¼ x 2-¼"	n/a	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	14 x 17-3/4	Single condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3	Reflex system for focusing test negative
Prinz	66	n/a	1981	6x9cm	14 x 17-½	condenser	n/a	No	n/a	4	Comes with 2 neg carriers; head detatches to covert to copy stand
Prolarger	Vertical and Horizontal	USA	Late 1940s	35mm	n/a	Triple condenser	Focusing tube	No	n/a	2
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Rollei	6x7XL	n/a	1981	6 x 7 cm	18 x 24"	condenser		No		4	Removable lens cone, lamp; colorhead or condenser models available -- Reviewed Darkroom Photography, Jul 1981 (Vol 3 #4)
Rollei	E 6x7	n/a	1981	6 x 7 cm	17-3/4 x 17-3/4 "	condenser		No		4	Convection-cooled; colorhead needs no external transformer; chassis and head priced separately
Rowi	35	n/a	Mid 1960s	35mm	12-½ x 15	Double condenser	Clamping lever	No	Single post	3
Rowi	66	n/a	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	13-½ x 16-¼	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Saltzman	30W, 30-WA, 30-WR, 30-WRC	USA	Late 1940s	5x7 except 30-WA: 8x10	n/a	Cold light	Worm gear	No	n/a	2, 6	Models are essentially same except max negative size, size and weight of enlarger itself
Saltzman	MB6A	USA	Late 1940s	8 x 10	n/a	Double condenser	Worm gear	No	n/a	2
Saunders	Color Enlarger II		1983	6 x 7cm	19 x 21-1/4	condenser		No	n/a	5	$90
Skyview	35	USA	Late 1940s	35mm	n/a	Double condenser	Tube	No	Single post	2	Mfg by Cleveland Instrument Service
Skyview	23 DGE	USA	Late 1940s	2-¼ x 3-¼"	n/a	Double condenser	Bellows	No	Single post	2	Mfg by Cleveland Instrument Service
Skyview	4x5 DGE	USA	Late 1940s	4x5	n/a	Double condenser	Bellows	No	Single post	2	Mfg by Cleveland Instrument Service
Spiratone	35	USA	Early 1960s	35mm	12x16	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	1,3
Spiratone	4 x 5 Color PA	USA	Mid 1960s	4 x 5	19 x 24	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post with parallelogram	3
Spiratone	4 x 5 Color Pro	USA	Mid 1960s	4 x 5"	19 x 24	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Spiratone	66	USA	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	12 x 16	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Spiratone	80		1981	6 x 6 cm	17-1/2 x 18"	condenser				4
Spiratone	D356	USA	Mid 1960s	2-¼ x 2-¼"	14 x 20	Double condenser	Rack & pinion	No	Single post	3
Standard	Fixed Focus	USA	Late 1940s	35mm	n/a	Diffusion	Fixed	No	Box	2
Make	Model	Country	Era	Format	Baseboard	Head	Focusing	Autofocus	Column	Ref	Notes
Thimble	35	n/a	Early 1960s	35mm	14x18	Double condenser	Helical	No	Single post	1
Unicolor	35-S	n/a	1981	35mm	13 x 15	condenser		No		4
Unicolor	66S	n/a	1981	6 x 6cm	13 x 15	condenser		No		4	XL model available with larger baseboard and 18x max magnification; can be used as copy stand
Unicolor	66DS	n/a	1981	6 x 6cm	14 x 17-3/4	condenser		No		4	XL model available with larger baseboard and 18x max magnification; can be used as copy stand
Uniphot/Levit	Star-D	n/a	1981	35mm	14 x 19	condenser		No		4

Key

Era: It's nearly impossible to get actual production year spans; I've provided this simply to give an idea of when an enlarger was in production.

Focusing:

Bellows means that the lens stage is connected to bellows that expand and collapse, and the bellows are typically moved via a wheel using friction (as opposed to using rack & pinion gears).
Helical focusing means a collar around the lens is turned, and the lens housing is threaded so that the lens moves up and down.
Rack & Pinion means that the lens stage moves up and down via a knob that turns gears.
Tube means that the lens is set into a tube that moves up and down (as opposed to bellows).

Autofocus: not to be confused with what we think of as autofocus today; these enlargers don't focus themselves. What they do is offer a sort of tracking control so that once the image is focused, it stays in focus as you change the elevation of the head for cropping.

Column: all columns are assumed to be vertical unless oblique is noted. Oblique columns (i.e. angled forward) are nice at higher head elevations because the image won't expand back across the column post when the head is at the top of the post. On smaller enlargers this wouldn't be a problem, but at larger magnifications (and with lenses with shorter focal lengths), this can become a concern.

References

Modern Photography magazine, October 1962
Modern Photography magazine, December 1949
Modern Photography magazine, February 1965
Darkroom Photography magazine, Vol 3 #5, September 1981
Darkroom Photography magazine, Vol 5 #5, July 1983
Minicam Photography magazine, September 1947