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Aligning LPL 4550 XLG enlarger

ediz7531

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I got a really good deal on a 4550 kit on my local Craigslist.

I can see that the negative and lens stages are a little bit misaligned relative to each other. About 2-3mm front to back and side to side.

Does anyone know how I would go about aligning it? The manual doesn’t say anything about how to.

Otherwise, will this level of misalignment be noticeable when printing 6x6 negatives at ~ 5x enlargements? For 4x5 negatives I’d only enlarge by 2-3x max.

Thanks,
 

MTGseattle

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I have the manual for these, but I filed it away too well and can't find it. let me dig around this evening and see if I can provide the factory advice. From what you are describing, I fear that something may be damaged but don't hold me to that.

Also, KHBphotographix is a great resource.
 

ic-racer

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Can you post pictures of the negative stage and lensboard?
 

4season

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I used to own one of those enlargers, and was amazed at how I could disassemble and transport it, and when I set it back up again, it still seemed to be in good alignment. But I was checking by projecting a negative and examining with a grain focuser, not some laser alignment device. I don't recall seeing any obvious means of adjusting it, but I imagine that adding shims between base board and column would be pretty safe, easy and reversible.
 

Patrick Robert James

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The 4550 isn't really designed to be adjusted between the neg stage and the lens stage. If it is out then it is likely the enlarger took a hit and the rods might be bent or perhaps the lens stage is bent. There is a doohickey that bolts in to lock the lens stage for shipping so it doesn't get bent so perhaps someone didn't use that. You might have to bend it back if it is way off. If it is only a little off you could shim the lens. The most important alignment on an enlarger is the lens/film alignment. They have to be parallel.
 

Arthurwg

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Patrick Robert James said:
The 4550 isn't really designed to be adjusted between the neg stage and the lens stage. If it is out then it is likely the enlarger took a hit and the rods might be bent or perhaps the lens stage is bent.
Click to expand...

+1
I use this enlarger as well, and this is my thought too.
 
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ediz7531

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Hard to capture a photos, but here it goes.

The plate below the bellows is slightly tilting upwards (clockwise) relative to the upper metal surface on top of the bellows. If you measure the vertical distance between the corresponding edges, the two left edges are closer by 2mm or so.

I know this isn’t the way you align an enlarger. That simply stood out when looking at it. I haven’t actually been able to print something yet - need to find a big enough cart to roll it into my bathroom.

I called the fellow at KHB and he didn’t seem troubled by that. Said the actual negative and lens stages (inner parts) are very hard to misalign.
 

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MattKing

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Kevin Brown at KHB is definitely the person to talk to!
 

ic-racer

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The negative and lensboard are ALWAYS parallel in a correctly aligned enlarger. Unless doing perspective control (intentional or unintentional). So, remove the tape.
 

MTGseattle

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Sorry I didn't get back in here with any timely advice. everything said above seems good/proper advice, and I too would get that tape gone and see where you end up.
 
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