[LargeFormat] Info on the Fotar brand enlarger

[Clive Warren]

At 15:46 08/02/2003 -0800, LauvoneT wrote:
>I am in the market for a big enlarger to make prints
>from 8X10 negs.  A Fotar was on EBAY this week and
>went for $1500.  This seemed like a fair price as the
>person said it was almost like new.
>
>Does anyone in the group use or has used one of these
>enlargers??  If you have, what is the quailty,
>reputation, service, down times, ETC. of this brand.
>I had never heard of them before this week.
>
>Any advice based on experience, knowledge will be
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance,

Hello Lauvone,

I don't know the Fotar but managed to miss a DeVere 5108 8x10 vertical and 
a 5108 horizontal enlarger a while back. I did manage to pick up a Kam 8x10 
enlarger recently - well I say pick up loosely as it weighs a huge amount 
and I have yet to determine how to strip it down so that it can be 
transported and reused in my garage. There is a separate extractor fan unit 
and all the control boxes you are ever likely to need.

I would have preferred one of the DeVeres as they are a little more 
manageable and having played around with the vertical 5108 they seem to be 
a good enlarger.

Cheers,
            Clive