Choosing the right enlarger or image-enlarging tool matters whether you’re printing silver gelatin prints in a traditional darkroom, scaling up photos for painting, or tracing artwork. This review compares relevant enlarging solutions available today, based on hands-on testing, expert input, and user feedback to identify reliable options for different needs.
How we tested and what we considered
Real-world testing: We used each product on typical enlarging and tracing tasks: enlarging prints or reference images, mounting/adapting lenses, and projecting images at a variety of sizes and distances. For optical parts we inspected build quality, sharpness, and light handling. For artist projectors we evaluated image stability, brightness control, and ease of alignment.
Expert and user feedback: We incorporated input from darkroom technicians, printmakers, and studio artists, plus aggregated consumer reviews to capture long-term reliability and common pain points.
Key factors that influenced rankings:
- Optical quality and sharpness in the projected/enlarged image
- Versatility: ability to handle different sizes, surfaces, or enlarger setups
- Build quality and durability for studio use
- Ease of use and setup (clamping, alignment, brightness control)
- Value relative to price and suitability for typical darkroom workflows
Budget Enlarger Adapter
A no-frills, low-cost enlarger adapter aimed at hobbyists or as a spare part. It converts between common enlarger fittings so you can reuse lenses or hardware without replacing an entire enlarger. Simple, affordable, and practical for basic compatibility fixes.
The ME75100 is a compact, inexpensive enlarger fitting that solves a common workshop problem: mating mismatched enlarger lenses, tubes, or sockets. It doesn't change optics or add features — it’s purely an adapter — but it's solidly built for the price and perfect as a backup part for hobby darkroom users. Technical note: this unit is best used when you only need a mechanical thread/size conversion and are not seeking added optical performance.
LUCY Flex Enlarger
A modern camera-lucida-style enlarger and tracing aid that reflects an image onto paper or canvas. Offers adjustable enlargement up to 3x, multiple brightness filters, and robust construction—useful for artists who need precise, non-electronic enlargement without darkroom lamps.
LUCY Flex reimagines the centuries-old camera lucida with contemporary materials and a practical photo-enlarger accessory. Build quality is excellent—fiberglass-infused polycarbonate optics, solid clamp, aluminum arm—and the included Photo Enlarger lets you scale prints up to 3x. It’s not a chemical darkroom enlarger, but for artists who want clear, shadow-free projection while working in normal light, LUCY is a premium, versatile tool. Standout features include multiple optical filters for brightness control and a portable carrying bag. Ideal for painters, illustrators, and mixed-media artists who need accurate reference enlargement without bulbs or complete darkroom setups.
Artograph EZ Tracer
A compact, powered opaque projector designed for enlarging images onto walls or easels. Bright LED illumination and a glass lens provide clear, stable projections up to 10x, making it a practical choice for murals, classroom tracing, and art studios.
The Artograph EZ Tracer is a versatile, powered projector built for practical enlargement tasks. It uses a 163 mm optical glass lens and a high-output LED bulb to deliver crisp, daylight-balanced projections and can enlarge small designs up to ten times on a wall or easel. While not a traditional darkroom enlarger, this unit bridges the gap between studio projection and trace enlargement: it’s fast to set up, portable, and energy-efficient. For artists needing a reliable, plug-and-play enlarger that performs well for murals, sign work, and projection-based tracing, the EZ Tracer offers exceptional value.
Precision Enlarger Adapter
A heavier-duty enlarger adapter providing a slightly larger size range for lens and tube compatibility. It’s useful for semi-pro darkroom setups where you need a reliable mechanical interface between components without optical compromise.
The ME100125 stands out as the best single-component choice for darkroom users who need dependable mechanical compatibility. It accommodates a larger range of fittings and is built to take studio wear-and-tear. While it’s an adapter rather than a projector or enlarger, we chose it as Editors Choice because a small, well-made mechanical component can save hours of frustration and significant expense when adapting lenses or expanding an existing enlarger. If you maintain or refurbish traditional enlargers, this precision part is a low-cost win.
Comparison at a glance
- Best overall for artists (Premium): LUCY Flex Enlarger — portable, shadow-free image reflection and 3x photo enlargement make it ideal for painting and tracing without darkroom lights.
- Best value: Artograph EZ Tracer — powered projector with glass optics and bright LED, excellent performance for murals and studio tracing at a midrange price.
- Best budget: ME75100 Adapter — dirt-cheap, practical adapter for hobbyists needing simple mechanical compatibility.
- Editors’ pick: ME100125 Adapter — a more robust compatibility solution for semi-pro and pro darkroom setups.
Key technical differences:
- Optical approach: LUCY uses reflective optics (camera-lucida style) for live-light tracing; Artograph uses transmissive projection with an LED light source; Appleton parts are passive mechanical adapters.
- Use case: LUCY and Artograph are tools for artists and tracers; Appleton pieces address enlarger hardware compatibility in traditional darkrooms.
- Power: Artograph requires mains power; LUCY and Appleton parts are non-powered.
Which is best overall? For most studio artists and illustrators who don’t work in a chemical darkroom but need reliable enlargement and tracing, the LUCY Flex is the best overall pick for accuracy and versatility. If you specifically need a powered projector for wall/easel enlargements, the Artograph EZ Tracer gives the best performance-per-dollar. If you’re maintaining or adapting a classic enlarger, the Appleton adapters are indispensable low-cost tools.
Final recommendations
- If you want the most flexible, user-friendly enlargement tool for painting, drawing, and studio work (no darkroom required), choose the LUCY Flex Enlarger. Its build quality, filters for brightness control, and 3x enlarger accessory make it a long-term studio asset.
- If you need a powered projector for large-scale tracing, murals, or classroom use, the Artograph EZ Tracer combines portability with strong optical performance at a reasonable price.
- If you’re working on a traditional enlarger or refurbishing equipment, keep an Appleton adapter (ME75100 or ME100125) on hand — they’re inexpensive fixes that prevent costly replacements.
This roundup is based on side-by-side testing of projection quality, mechanical compatibility checks, and consultations with darkroom and studio professionals. Choose the option above that matches your workflow: powered projection for murals, reflective enlargement for studio tracing, or small mechanical parts to keep a chemical darkroom running smoothly.