The Krokus 66 photographic enlarger is used for projecting and enlarging negative images of a photograph onto photographic paper in order to obtain a print. The device was produced by Polskie Zakłady Optyczne (PZO), operating in Warsaw from 1921. In the late 1960s, PZO merged with the Warszawskie Zakłady Fotooptyczne and expanded its production to include photographic cameras and accessories. The design of the enlarger was prepared by a team of designers comprising Zbigniew Orliński, Bohdan Ufnalewski, and Wojciech Wybieralski, who designed several enlargers in the “Krokus” series for PZO in 1974–1980 as part of their work for the Artistic and Research Unit of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. The devices were manufactured from 1953. Successive improved iterations include the Krokus 2, Krokus 3, Krokus 4, Krokus 35, Krokus 44, Krokus 66, Krokus 67, Krokus 69, and Krokus Mini. The Model 66 supported the 6×9 and 6×6 cm negative film formats. The device has a compartment for correction filters, which is why the name includes the word “Color”. The hard-edged form of the enlarger was in line with the contemporary trends and aesthetic preferences of the users. The rounded shape of the housing of the earlier version, i.e., the Krokus 3, was related to the sheet metal stamping technology implemented by the manufacturer (bending and die casting). Modernisation of the outdated design of the Krokus and launching production for export was a response to the limitation on access to raw materials and the embargo for components and technologies, put in place towards the end of the 1970s.

Authors: Piotr Turowski, Filip Wróblewski