Emil Wünsche Simplex

Simplex daylight enlarger scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)

The Simplex is an enlarger, using daylight (or any ambient light source). It comprises a retangular light-proof chamber, with a frame to hold a plate at the top, and a lens mounted inside, part-way down so as to give correct focus on a sheet of printing paper placed at the bottom. Exposure is controlled with the lid on the top. It is an entry-level step beyond contact printing: it gives one degree of enlargement, and little ability to crop the image. With printing paper of any significant sensitivity it would be necessary to load the paper under safelight.