Enlarger height & magnification
Roughly where should the enlarger head sit for the print you want? Enter your negative, print size and lens to get the magnification and the negative-to-baseboard distance.
Distances come from the thin-lens conjugates. Real columns add a little for the head and easel, so treat this as a close starting height, then focus to finalise.
About this tool
This tool estimates where to set your enlarger head for a given print size. Enter the negative size, the print size and your enlarging lens, and it returns the magnification and the negative-to-baseboard distance as a close starting height for darkroom printing.
How to use it
- Choose your negative format.
- Enter the print long edge you want, in inches.
- Choose the enlarging lens focal length for your format.
- Read the magnification and set the head near the negative-to-baseboard distance, then focus.
FAQ
Is the height exact?
It comes from thin-lens conjugates, so treat it as a close starting point; real columns add a little, and you finalise by focusing.
Which lens should I use?
Match the lens to the format, roughly a normal focal length: 50mm for 35mm, 80mm for 6x6, 105mm for 6x7, 150mm for 4x5.