Durst Laborator 1200

Darkroom check

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

Light source and lamp

Durst sold the 1200 as a base unit and the heads as kits. The CLS 501 color head uses a 24 V 250 W halogen lamp, dials to 130 and has a 45Y and 15M add-in filter; the CLS 450 and CLS 500 came before it. The VLS 501 is a variable-contrast head on the same lamp, and the condenser kit uses a 150 W opal lamp. Durst's service list ran its 1200 support only to 2011, so ask for a spare lamp.

Carriers and condensers

The FEMONEG carrier holds the negative between two glasses, with FEMOMASK metal masks from 35mm to 4x5 for glassless work. Color and VC heads come with the FEMOBOX 450 N mixing box for 4x5, and boxes for 35mm, 6x6 and 6x9 were extras. The condenser kit needs the right FEMOCON condensers for each lens and format.

Column and bellows

The head rides a 136 cm column on a counterbalance spring at the back. Durst's manual says that spring is under constant stress and can crack on both sides, so it should be checked with the head at its lowest point. A rotary handle moves the lens carrier for focus.

Alignment

The head tilts with an inclination scale, and the lens carrier tilts and shifts for perspective correction. Ask the seller to confirm both read zero. A sharp print from corner to corner is the check.

Lens

LAPLA 39 boards take M39 lenses from 28mm to 135mm, LAPLA 42 takes 135mm and 150mm M42 lenses and LAPLA 50 takes 100mm to 150mm M50 lenses. Durst sold lenses and boards separately, so many units come without either. Check the photos for a 150mm lens on its board if you print 4x5.

Timer and power

Color and VC heads run through a TRA 500 transformer or EST 500 stabilizer, which must come with the head. The heads plug into a timer's output or Durst's Elite 2000 unit, and Multigraph heads have their own control panel. Ask for photos of every box and cable.

Shipping and pickup

The base unit is about 45 kg and a CLS 501 head adds about 16 kg, on a baseboard 64 by 69 cm. One owner in France sold his Multigraph to a buyer who drove a 750 km round trip to collect it. When the head comes off, the column support springs upward, so hold it with both hands and pack the head and column in separate boxes.

Should come with it

• The head you want (CLS color, VLS or condenser kit) with its lamp
• TRA 500 transformer or EST 500 stabilizer for a CLS or VLS head
• FEMONEG glass carrier and FEMOMASK masks
• FEMOBOX 450 N mixing box
• LAPLA lens board for each lens
• The metal counterbalance plates for the fitted head

Hard to find if missing

• FEMOMASK masks for your formats
• FEMOBOX 35 N, 66 N and 69 N mixing boxes
• FEMOCON condensers for the condenser kit
• FEBIDAP adapter and BIMANEG roll-film carrier
• A replacement counterbalance spring

Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing carrier, condenser or lens board should come off the price.