Omega D5500 - looking for a 4x5 enlarger in the UK?

[RogerHyam]

There is a listing for two Omega D5500 enlargers on UK eBay at the moment.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147281706770

I'd really like a 4x5 enlarger but had always considered De Vere 504s before. I hadn't considered an Omega let alone a D5500. Aren't Omegas just for the yanks?

I'm in Edinburgh. These enlargers are in Grantham which is 5hr / 300mile drive away. I'd have to hire a van.

I don't need/want or have space for two! I barely have space for one.

What are your thoughts on the D5500? They are pretty rare in the UK and these need 240 to 110 transformers. I guess they are much more common in North America.

Are you in the UK and somewhere between Grantham and Edinburgh? Would you like a cheapish 4x5 enlarger? Maybe we should talk as I could buy them and drop one off with you on my way back up the country. I really wouldn't know what to do with the second one if I went for this.

Maybe someone has bought them already .... which would solve a problem!

 

[MattKing]

I believe @ic-racer is very familiar with them
And by the way, Omegas are very popular among us Canucks .

 

[Melvin J Bramley]

When in Europe, do as the Europeans do!
Buy Devere or Durst or even Jobo/LPL parts and accessories will be much easier to find.
The D5500 with colour head has a poor reputation for electronic parts reliability; just Google it!

 

[ic-racer]

The color model has filters fully electronically controlled by a feedback loop. However the mechanical Chromega head or a condenser head are also possible. Can you post pictures?

Yes, a made in USA product with all SAE fasteners and dimensions.

 

[RogerHyam]

When in Europe, do as the Europeans do!
Buy Devere or Durst or even Jobo/LPL parts and accessories will be much easier to find.
The D5500 with colour head has a poor reputation for electronic parts reliability; just Google it!

Good advice. Thank you.

It triggered me to look at getting an Jobo/LPL (they had fallen off my radar). I saw one at a good price and I just purchased it! Now I am hoping the cheap courier will come good on their offer.

I've been hanging off buying a 4x5 enlarger for years and it feels good to have actually taken the plunge. Time to get the circular saw out and build a new work top for the dark room....