A condenser enlarger has a set of condensing lenses between the light source and the negative. The condensing lenses concentrate or focus the light from a light bulb and direct the light rays straight through the negative to the lens (fig. 11-8).

Figure 11-9. Diffusion enlarger.

The condenser lenses are a pair of planoconvex lenses mounted as a unit with their convex surfaces face to face. A condenser enlarger produces a sharp, brilliant image and produces higher contrast and detail than diffusion enlargers. Negative defects and scratches are more apparent in the print when made on a condenser enlarger.

The characteristics of a condenser enlarger are as follows:

It produces maximum tone separation.

It is suitable for making prints to a high degree of enlargement, because of its optical characteristics.

It produces a higher image contrast with a given negative than printing with a diffusion enlarger.

It is not recommended for negatives that have been retouched, because the edges and ridges of the retouched areas may print as dark lines.

It may be used to emphasize negative defects and silver grain structure.