Response to Vignetting problems with Magnifax 4

I fear you will find no enlarger that will give you what you are looking for if you insist on a condensor. A condesor is a focused system and light falloff is a rule, not the exception. Buying another condesor enlarger will not affect what you experience. In fact 1/3 f-stop falloff is more or less what all condesor systems have. As mostly, dealer do not know much about the equipment. Since a condesor is focused it is no good idea to alter the distance of lamp to condensor. This is optimized and calculated, since -- together with the lens -- it is a closed optical system. You would sacrifice acutance that way, which is the main purpose of employing condesor systems in an enlarger. The only way to get more even illimination is a diffusor system (a glass diffusor is already included with your Magnifax and should provide more even illumination). The multigrade head is very even. On the other hand: You will not notice the falloff on your prints anyway. Generations of photographers have printed that way and did not complain. Again, the Magnifax is an excellent piece of equipment and I do not see how you could improve by buying a different system.

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