135 and 6x4.5 mask is necessary ?

Rosssiiii · 2026-02-18T14:05:14-0500

Hello

i would like to buy a Krokus 66 SL as in the picture and looks very good but my question is:

i don't see any mask for the 6x4.5 ... can i still use with that format ?
i don't see any mask for the 135 ... can i still use with that format ?

Same, i find a Meopta Optemus 6a but still don't looks are available masks for the two formats i need, can i still print these formats with excellent results ?

Optemus 6a : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g93bKr4yrEKXeXXTh_ux8TBvHgMNLQ1C?usp=sharing
Krokus 66 SL: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mMBUwjJ5M6vWhiNbi9uaPpYbch1t3qVw?usp=sharing

Any advice ?
can i alredy use as they are with the two formats i want to print ?

Because the 135 mask i find available only with the optemus 2:

koraks · 2026-02-18T14:21:38-0500

You need a mask for the formats you will enlarge. A mask can be as simple as a cardboard insert that you place inside the larger 6x6cm mask to cover the unused edges of the film. The purpose of the mask is to avoid stray light which will otherwise degrade contrast and/or create dark edges around your print. Leaving large areas of blank film unmasked (e.g. the space between the negatives) can and usually will create these problems.

If you want to show people pictures you have questions about, please post them here. I prefer not to have to jump to someone's Google drive, Imgur, dropbox etc. to try and figure out what they want me to look at. Sorry to be blunt about it!

Rosssiiii · 2026-02-18T14:28:52-0500

koraks said:
You need a mask for the formats you will enlarge. A mask can be as simple as a cardboard insert that you place inside the larger 6x6cm mask to cover the unused edges of the film. The purpose of the mask is to avoid stray light which will otherwise degrade contrast and/or create dark edges around your print. Leaving large areas of blank film unmasked (e.g. the space between the negatives) can and usually will create these problems.

If you want to show people pictures you have questions about, please post them here. I prefer not to have to jump to someone's Google drive, Imgur, dropbox etc. to try and figure out what they want me to look at. Sorry to be blunt about it!

but if I do it with cardboard, 3D printer is difficult to adapt it so that the mask stays still and does not move ?

are many pictures and is more difficult post them there all, in any link you will find only pictures.

koraks · 2026-02-18T14:42:03-0500

You just need to cover the part of the film that doesn't end up on the print. It doesn't really matter how you do that; 3D printed masks can work, cardboard cutouts, laser-cut anodized aluminum, etc. Whatever is available and convenient for you.

Rosssiiii said:
are many pictures and is more difficult post them there all

So select only the ones that are relevant to show and paste them into your post. If there's lots that e.g. picture different parts of a setup offered for sale, consider merging them into a collage. People are more likely to comment and help out if you facilitate them a little.

Paul Howell · 2026-02-18T14:42:05-0500

My Meopta Optemus came with the standard masking negative carrier, the blades can be adjusted for 1/2 frame to 6X6, 6X4.5 is no problem. What I do is once have it masked for 35mm I tape in place to pervert the blades from moving as I take the negative carrier in and out, which I do to check the focus using the built in rangefinder.

Rosssiiii · 2026-02-18T14:55:16-0500

koraks said:
You just need to cover the part of the film that doesn't end up on the print. It doesn't really matter how you do that; 3D printed masks can work, cardboard cutouts, laser-cut anodized aluminum, etc. Whatever is available and convenient for you.

So select only the ones that are relevant to show and paste them into your post. If there's lots that e.g. picture different parts of a setup offered for sale, consider merging them into a collage. People are more likely to comment and help out if you facilitate them a little.

Paul Howell said:
My Meopta Optemus came with the standard masking negative carrier, the blades can be adjusted for 1/2 frame to 6X6, 6X4.5 is no problem. What I do is once have it masked for 35mm I tape in place to pervert the blades from moving as I take the negative carrier in and out, which I do to check the focus using the built in rangefinder.

What kind of negative carrier do you have ? probably is different from mine or not ?

Paul Howell · 2026-02-18T16:03:24-0500

Mine has 4 sliding blades that crop from about 1/2 frame to 6X6. I think I mislead you as I have an Anxium not a Opmus so the standard negative carriers are different. Looking at the manual I don't see a cropping carrier, I did see an insert, as others have posted you should be able to make an insert along with inserts for 35mm without much trouble.

Rosssiiii · 2026-02-18T16:36:04-0500

that part here is normal as it is ?

i see too many scratches and only a screw

skahde · 2026-02-18T17:10:29-0500

There is a nice guy from france who 3D-prints masks for different enlargers including opemus. He made me custom masks to enlarge the negatives from my Bronica GS1 in my Focomat IIc with a slight border. As 6x7 negatives can differ quite a bit actually depending on your make and model of camera this was very helpful and his service was fast and efficient.

Mask replica for Meopta meopta opemus 5/5a 6/6a enlarger- all formats | eBay.de

Pour chaque format vous recevez deux Masks : inférieur et supérieur. Pour le set complet vous recevrez 3 paires de Masks de tous les formats à savoir 1 pair (2 Masks) Replica for. For each choosen format you receive a pair of Masks.

www.ebay.de

Paul Howell · 2026-02-18T18:04:17-0500

You should be able to find 3 replacement screws, as for the scratches, a coat of high temperature flat black spray paint and you will be good to go. The question is, is the price low enough to make up the trouble to bring the enlarger back to like new?

ic-racer · 2026-02-18T21:03:14-0500

Looks like you have a glass negative carrier.

This image depicts 4x5 glass negative carriers I have masked with tape, black construction paper or the black plastic used to wrap photographic paper or sheet film.

135 and 6x4.5 mask is necessary ?

Rosssiiii

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Mask replica for Meopta meopta opemus 5/5a 6/6a enlarger- all formats | eBay.de

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135 and 6x4.5 mask is necessary ?

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