Saunders 4500-II Enlargers

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
5 votes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from McBain Camera

Summary:
Great value for the dollar. One of the things I appreicated most about this enlarger was its ability to maintain its plane of focus. My experience with Beseler and Omega is that they both need frequent aligning. The Saunders seems to do away with that.
Very stable, I found no need to brace the column, again something often necessary with the Omega.
In comparison to its competition it is very reasonably priced. Sort of the Volkswagen of enlargers. Not as nicely finished as my main enlarger (Leica Focomat - see review), but for all round use it can't be beat.

Strengths:
Versatility
Well made

Weaknesses:
none really

Similar Products Used:
Beseler
Omega
Durst
Leica Focomat

Customer Service:
None needed

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $1560.00 from B&H

Summary:
A great 4x5 enlarger at an amazing price! I am very pleased!

Strengths:
Easy to setup, aligned at the factory, steady, great features, fun to use.

Weaknesses:
The only grip I have is with the accessories offered. In other countries the enlarger comes with a negative carrier and lens board. They still use the same box to ship the product, so the spaces are there for these items. I can only assume our US retailers want to charge us extra for accessories our darkroom friends get for free in other countries.

Similar Products Used:
Besler 45MXT, Saunders 670MXL

Customer Service:
Haven't had to use.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Summary:
If it weren't for the terrible power supply, this would be a first rate enlarger and it would deserve 5 stars. I still give it 5 stars for value however.

Strengths:
Controls are well placed and easy to use. Lamp is easy to change. Very well aligned out of the box. Capable of BIG prints on the base board. Very good mechanically

Weaknesses:
Lamp power supply has a high rate of failure and earlier units did not work with all timers.

Similar Products Used:
None

Customer Service:
very good