MPP USERS CLUB - ENLARGERS

. ENLARGERS - General Information The first type was a grey/green series offered in 35mm, 6x6cm and finally with modifications (such as rack+pinion focus) for 6x9cm. It was the oldest product and was originally a Celestion product from the early 1940's. These are a very well made, robust item with stainless steel used where others might use alloy. They underwent some changes with time. By mid-1959 these were listed with the Microcord at £20.00+£8.00 P.Tax.in 56x56mm. The earliest enlargers do not carry a makers name or logo as they were probably made by the Celestion Company before 1945 and the formation of Micro Precision Products Ltd.
	Left - Early Enlarger .. advertised in 1949
Model 1 for 6 x 6 cm negatives. - Model 1A for 35mm negatives. Neither type had a filter drawer. An opal diffusing disc interchangeable with the condensers was available if required. A 2mm thick greenish glass heat filter was fitted to Model 1 enlargers and is located above the condensers. Condensers were - Model 1, 3 1/2 inch diameter, Model 1A, 2 1/2 inch diameter. An opal disc diffuser was available as an optional extra. A swinging safelight filter was fitted below and to the left of the lens on its own column. Parallelogram arms allowed easy and rapid height adjustment of the counterbalanced head. Early versions were equipped with a locking lever, whilst later units had a large alloy knob. Negative carriers were of the glassless type. Some are of hard aluminium whilst others may be of blackened brass or stainless steel. Lamp rating, 100 watts max Focussing is by way of a 4 start helical 3.75 in (95.3mm) thread of 14 TPI giving an advance of 7.5mm per turn, but this is limited to these versions only, being changed to rack and pinion/bellows for the later versions...see below. The second type is not listed completely in any article known and this is therefore an initial attempt to list them and some of their accessories. It is thought this enlarger was introduced in 1966. The Universal Enlarger was a updated version of the first, now with a filter drawer for filters 120mm square, and rack+pinion bellows focusing, for up to 6x9cm negatives. This was listed 02/1975 and was still the same series in the sense there were parts in common. There were two sizes: 18x16in baseboard, 30in column £50.40 24x24in baseboard, 30in column £53.80 24x24in baseboard, 40in column £56.00 Negative carriers £6.50 Condensers 35mm, 56x56mm, 3.5x2.5in £7.00 - £7.50. Column constructed of 1 1/4 inch drawn steel tube, satin chrome plated. Head movement similar to Models 1 and 1A and can be rotated through 180 degrees to allow projection on to the floor. A safelight filter is fitted IN the lens housing, being brought into use by a sliding movement. Lenses attach by means of a bayonet fitting flat flange. Lens thread - Leica M39. 80mm lenses used a flat lens panel whilst 50mm lenses used a recessed panel 43mm deep. Negative carriers are two piece glassless and made from highly polished stainless steel. Illumination - standard tungsten enlarger lamp, 100w max, B.C. base. . Folding 35mm Enlarger Production - 1949 - 1952. Early postwar MPP made a box type folding 35mm enlarger and it was sold both as an MPP item directly and through Ilford Ltd as their item. Some units carry the Ilford logo. The size of the box limits the size of enlargement possible unless the head is moved round. There are 3 possible modes, including horizontal.
	Left - 35mm Portable Enlarger
MPP enlarger introduced 1947 / 8. Ilford advertised their version from 1949 to 1951. None have serial numbers. Production believed to have ceased by 1952.	35mm Portable Enlarger in Horizontal Mode
Case made of hardwood. Condenser dia 2 1/2 ins. Glassless cast alloy neg carrier. Helix focussing. Lens fitting M39 x 26 Leica thread. (Ilford suggested the Ross Resolux 2 inch lens f3.5, the Wray f4.5 Supar and Dalymeyer Popular. (The Wray used a thread adaptor to convert to 1 inch x 26tpi from M39). Lamp - 75w max. MICROMATIC Enlarger The major enlarger item was the Micromatic enlarger, a professional unit for up 5x7 inches. This was sold for 5x4 with a condenser head, and for up to 5x7 with cold cathode. Automatic focussing was by long cams on the sloping column, and these need to be matched to the lenses in use so separation of enlarger and lenses is a pity. It is said to be limited to about 300 items. There was reputed to also be a copying head for conversion of the enlarger to a copier. A 01/1966 may give an early price £125 for cold cathode, and £150.00 for condenser and includes a tilting easel at £3.10 and an masking frame at £7.00+£1.25 P.Tax.

The main difference from later lists is the Enlarging lenses listed: Dallmeyer f4.5 6 ,5in,3.5, 2in These were all Dallcoated. Wray High Resolution Lustrar f5.6 150mm, Wray Series 111 f4.5 4.25, 3.25, 2in TTH Ental f4.5 4.25, 3.25; f3.5 2in Schneider f5.6 Componon 150,135,105, f4.0 Componon 50mm Prices & Options - 02/1975: Micromatic Enlarger Cold Cathode 5x7 head £280.00 Micromatic Condenser 5x4 head £324.80 (both options include 1 cam, 1 lens mount, 1 negative carrier at choice). Chassis £201.60 Cold cathode head £78.40 Condenser Head £123.20 Condenser listed in 180mm, 120mm, 100mm sizes in mounts. Manual focussing Attachment £20.15 Negative Carriers for 5x4,5x7,1/2 plate, 1/4plate Plate for 6x9cm in glassed type £6.75 For 56x56mm,+ 35mm glassless £6.75 Lens Mounts £8.40 Cam plates additional £8.40 Lenses Schneider Componon,50mm f4.0; Componon-S f5.6 100,135,150,180mm