Recent content by Luckypete

It's not the lens its the Camera.

Sorry, yes I did perform your test. The lever moves very slightly, more like a tiny bounce. This indicates to me that it is mechanically stuck somewhere in the linkage.

I did a test this morning with two lenses and aperture priority. I developed the film and I can see clearly that its not stopping down at all. Every shot is wide open with the shutter speed changing as per usual. I am sending the camera back for a refund. I hope I can somehow get a decent copy...

The aperture lever does not go up and down when pressing the DOF button. So this lever should be in a position to open the lens to the maximum aperture when the lens is mounted. I presume then, this lever operates the correct distance/movement according to what aperture is set on the aperture...

I've recently acquired a Nikon F4. All seems to be Ok after 3 rolls of film; however. The DOF preview button does not function, its very hard to press in. The Mirror lockup does work ok. Looking at the aperture lever and pressing the button (without an attached lens) the lever does not move...

Bearing in mind the comments above, and to my mind the over-complicated (IMO) multi crimped connectors in the light box which may well have degraded over the 40 years of this enlarger. I replaced with the following ceramic connector and lamp holder. I tinned and soldered all the wire ends...

Yes I had a look at that – however it states 75 Watt Max. I rather like your own solution with the tube/soldering. Did you remove all the connections shown here and have the wires soldered to the tube at one end and the bulb at the other – it eliminates the many connections for sure. Reply...

Yes I agree: and thanks for your knowledge about the transformer. As I said I would like to change the socket but cannot find the same or similar – as of now ! I will measure the V under load as you suggest. At least I will have a spare transformer

I am no electronics guru here, however I measured the voltage at the bulb socket and it is 14.5V +- If it's just a simple step-down transformer then could it be faulty? Oh by the way the insulation around the two bulb pins was really badly corroded or degraded and discolored.

I have a TRA 305N which I believe is the "non-stabilised" unit – I have ordered a EST 305N. I will keep searching for alternative bulbs, however at the moment I have no choice other than Osram or Phillips, it does not specify where they are manufactured. I would also prefer to replace the bulb...

Can only seem to get Osram & Phillips here in the UK !!

As advised...

This is what I used.

Im in the UK, anyone know of a company that could/would repair the transformer?

Looking at replacements there seems to be 2 different model/versions: one EST 305N Stabilised, the other not described as Stablised Anyone could elaborate please?