A beef with my enlarger

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

I have an Omega ProLab 4x5 enlarger. Overall I'm happy with it. I've tried using levels and whatever else I have in the house to get it fairly well aligned. I got most of it right.
Now to the problem. The lens turret on this enlarger only seems to accept the original cheap lenses. They're not bad, but I'd like to stick my Nikkor 50mm and Schneider Componon 80mm on the turret somehow, or they just collect dust, and deprive me of extracting the maximum out of the prints.
However, when I mount these lenses onto the little flanges and put them back in, the turret will not accept them because the backwards extended lens barrels get in the way. Any idea what can be done about this?
A friend just recently made me an offer for a Beseler 45 and I'm very, very tempted. But I also don't want to go through the whole set-up procedure again... Throw me a bone if you have it! Please with sugar on top.
- Thomas

David H. Bebbington · Sep 13, 2007

I know absolutely nothing about this enlarger, but if you want a lens with an M39 thread not to project so much out of the rear of a panel, I would look for some cheap (Russian) LTM extension tubes and interpose one of suitable thickness to make your lens stick out more!

Regards,

David

Ps: Like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-x-Extension...ryZ30030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

Thank you David, I'll check it out. If it's cheap I can probably buy it even if it doesn't work out. For a while I thought about having an adapter machined. This may be the better option.
- Thomas

Dinesh · Sep 13, 2007

Hi Thomas, is it the Prolab (D5 chassis) or the ProlabII (D5500 chassis) that you have?

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

Hi Dinesh,

I'm pretty sure it's the D5 chassis on it. The front of the condenser box says ProLab 4x5 on it. Not ProLab II. Does that help?

- Thomas

Dinesh said:
Hi Thomas, is it the Prolab (D5 chassis) or the ProlabII (D5500 chassis) that you have?

gminerich · Sep 13, 2007

Hi Thomas:

I have a lathe and a small milling machine. I'm sure we can build you some adapters.

George

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

George,

or maybe I should just buy that Beseler from you...

- Thomas

Jon Shiu · Sep 13, 2007

Hi, can the turret be removed and just use a lensboard?

Jon

ps I do have a 10mm extension tube around here somewhere if you want it. It came on a 63mm El Nikkor I had.

gminerich · Sep 13, 2007

I take trade-ins too!

Its probally just as easy to pull the turret off and bring it and your lenses to my house or maybe we can make a new lens board. Your choice.

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

Jon, pm sent.

George, I may have to take you up on your offer. Let's chat about it.

- Thomas

David Brown · Sep 13, 2007

You need different lens mounts. There are mounts made for this enlarger (and turret) that add about a half inch in length and eliminate the problem you are describing. You don't need to get a different enlarger, or have anything custom made. They are on the auction site frequentely. The other alternative is to replace the turret with the single slide in lens mount, and then any lens will screw in with no problem.

This pix show my turret with 3 EL nikkors - the 63mm, an 80mm and a 105mm. The 80mm is an older one and mounts on a flat board, but the 63 and the 105 require the extended "board". The pic in the middle is the single mount. It slides in just like the turret and you can put any lens/mount on it.

Hope this helps.

Thomas Bertilsson · Sep 13, 2007

David,

that's really good advice! I'll have to look into this. Is the part officially called a 'turret mount'? In case I need to fish around for one online.

Thank you!

- Thomas

David Brown · Sep 13, 2007

Thomas Bertilsson said:
David,

that's really good advice! I'll have to look into this. Is the part officially called a 'turret mount'? In case I need to fish around for one online.

Thank you!

- Thomas

I don't think it's actually called a "turret" mount, it's just for lenses that stick out at the back, and so need more clearance. I should have added that these are not threaded, so you'll also need a retaining ring. But again, none of this is exotic. They're available. A little patience and research and you'll turn them up. When I got my D5, I spent a good bit of time collecting all of the mounts, carriers, and other do-dads I either needed or wanted, but I eventually got them all. Good luck!

Neanderman · Sep 14, 2007

They are called 'turret extension plates' and they are still available new. Here's one for a standard Leica thread from Calumet:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/OA4180/

No affiliation with Calument, yada, yada.

Ee

Neanderman · Sep 14, 2007

Neanderman said:
They are called 'turret extension plates' and they are still available new. Here's one for a standard Leica thread from Calumet:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/OA4180/

No affiliation with Calument, yada, yada.

Ee

Or this:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/OA4171/

David Brown · Sep 14, 2007

Neanderman said:
They are called 'turret extension plates' and they are still available new. Here's one for a standard Leica thread from Calumet:

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/OA4180/

Yep, that's it. Ok, I stand corrected on the nomenclature. But $70! Seriously - a little patience on the 'bay and 1 will turn up for $5-10!

Neanderman · Sep 14, 2007

David Brown said:
$70! Seriously - a little patience on the 'bay and 1 will turn up for $5-10!

I have little doubt. In fact, I looked there before I posted the new ones.

Best of luck!

Ed

David Brown · Sep 18, 2007

http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-Lens-Plat...ryZ29987QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A beef with my enlarger

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