{"id":2496,"date":"2023-01-07T20:43:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T19:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onslowphotography.com\/?p=2496"},"modified":"2025-03-27T10:35:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T09:35:08","slug":"durst-laborator-1000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onslowphotography.com\/en\/durst-laborator-1000\/","title":{"rendered":"Durst Laborator 1000"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

One of the many challenges in large format photography is enlargement. Unlike 35mm or medium format, making a print from a large format negative requires an enlarger of such size that its placement becomes problematic in darkrooms originally designed for smaller formats. While contact printing and scanning are possible alternatives, achieving a high-quality enlargement from a large format negative is an indescribable satisfaction.<\/p>\r\n

The Laborator 1000 can be an interesting choice, as it is the “smallest” among the large format enlargers produced by Durst. It accepts negatives up to 4×5″ (10×12.5 cm) and can operate with different types of lighting, thanks to its interchangeable head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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The Laborator 1000 is as sturdy as a tank, quite bulky, and also quite heavy (45 kg with the CLS 450 color head).<\/p>\r\n

With such weight, moving the head vertically using the traditional rack-and-pinion mechanism found in smaller format enlargers would be very difficult. The designers of the Laborator 1000 solved this issue with a lifting mechanism that utilizes the elastic energy stored in a spring positioned inside the sliding block. The spring acts as a counterweight, allowing the head to be moved with a simple friction mechanism operated by a crank with minimal effort.<\/p>\r\n

This sliding block has two screws (see figure) for adjusting the friction mechanism. Tightening them increases the friction between a Teflon roller and the column, making it easier to raise the head along the column. It is important to avoid lubricating the column, as this would reduce friction and render the lifting mechanism ineffective.<\/p>\r\n

The sliding block also features a knob that acts as a “parking brake” when the head is mounted or removed. If loosened by mistake when the head is not attached, the sliding block\u2014no longer balanced by the head\u2019s weight\u2014will dangerously shoot upward due to the spring\u2019s force until it hits the stop at the top of the column. Care must be taken to avoid this.<\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The sliding block allows the head to be positioned at two different heights.<\/p>\r\n

The choice of position depends on the maximum print size desired on the baseboard, as well as the available vertical space, as shown in the following table:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Head Mounting Position<\/td>\r\nMax Print Size (150mm focal length)<\/td>\r\nMax Column Height<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
HIGH<\/td>\r\n48 x 60 cm<\/td>\r\n139 cm<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
LOW<\/td>\r\n35 x 44 cm<\/td>\r\n123 cm<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Using a 135mm focal length will obviously result in a larger print area at the same head height.<\/p>\r\n

The maximum height of the Laborator 1000 is relatively modest compared to its successor, the Laborator 1200, which reaches 166 cm.<\/p>\r\n

The following image shows the head mounted in the upper position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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The head of the Durst Laborator 1000 consists of two parts. The lower section houses the negative holder, lens, and focusing mechanism. The upper section is interchangeable, with the following options available:<\/p>\r\n