Anyone Know Anything about This "Viegel Amatex" Enlarger?

[graciemansion]

I just bought this enlarger today at an estate sale. It works fine, but the only reference I could find about it online was in Polish, and it didn't say much. The person I bought it from didn't know much about it either, and I don't think it's been used for a long time.

Inside the enlarger was a 35mm negative carrier. I also bought a 6x9 negative carrier which I found in a box that says, "Old sroka neg plate for enlarger." I have no idea what "sroka" refers to. The negative carrier does fit into the enlarger, but does anyone know if it actually can print 6x9 negatives? I don't have a long enough lens to test. Or anything else about the enlarger really. Thanks! I've included a picture.

 

[AgX]

It is the first time I learn about that west-german manufacturer and their products.

 

[tonyowen34]

[QUOTE="graciemansion, post: 1913724, member: 80488. I also bought a 6x9 negative carrier does fit into the enlarger, but does anyone know if it actually can print 6x9 negatives? I don't have a long enough lens to test. Or anything else about the enlarger really. Thanks! I've included a picture.[/QUOTE]

Put a 6x9 negative or similar and see what is projected. It is the internal structure of the enlarger housing and bellows that limits the projection - not the lens. Assuming that the enlarger structure has a 'hole' greater than 6x9 then you should be able to see the full 6x9 projected image using (say) a 50mm lens.
regards
Tony

 

[AgX]

It is bit more complicated. The illumination of the enlarger too must fill the format and do it evenly.

 

[AgX]

What is the use of that scale behind the collumn? It seems more detailed than necessary for tilting the head.

 

[AgX]

By the way, it is Veigel, not Viegel...

Correcting might serve your further googling.

 

[Ian Grant]

I've some adverts for Veigel enlargers in BJP Almanacs but I think newer models. If it's a condenser enlarger the condensers need to match the lens and there will be adjustment to optimise the lamp position. The Veigel enlargers I've seen in adverts( early 1950's) were quite modern with the lamp house being more like the Durst M series enlargers (bulb/mirror/condensers) this gives a more compact diffuse light source compared to the tall vertical lamp housing used on most condenser enlargers. Can't really tell much from the photo you've posted.

Sometimes you change the pair of condensers or add a third one for smaller formats (ie 35mm).

Ian

 

[tezzasmall]

I see that you have spelt the enlarger name incorrectly on the title. If you did this when searching you may have gotten fewer results. For this instance it is e before i rather than the usual way around i.e. try searching again with 'Veigel Amatex Enlarger'.

Terry S

PS As I post this, I find someone has already just posted the same info as me. Gosh, you have to be quick posting a post on here sometimes!

 

[graciemansion]

Well, I feel stupid. I guess I didn't noticed I misspelled it since I got the one result. Spelling it correctly didn't get me very many more results though.

Put a 6x9 negative or similar and see what is projected. It is the internal structure of the enlarger housing and bellows that limits the projection - not the lens. Assuming that the enlarger structure has a 'hole' greater than 6x9 then you should be able to see the full 6x9 projected image using (say) a 50mm lens.
regards
Tony

I'm at work now, but I'll be sure to try that when I get home. Thanks!

 

[summicron1]

Almost looks homemade.

 

[graciemansion]

The hole underneath the condenser lens is the size of a 6x9 negative. Would that be an indication that it could print them? By the way I hope I'm explaining this correctly. I'm not too familiar with enlargers.

 

[AgX]

In theory there still could be a condenser installed that would not cover that format.
But to my knowledge in that period MF enlargers only had one condenser system.
Thus your assumption seems valid to me.

 

[Ian Grant]

The hole underneath the condenser lens is the size of a 6x9 negative. Would that be an indication that it could print them? By the way I hope I'm explaining this correctly. I'm not too familiar with enlargers.

It will be a 6x9 enlarger.

Ian

 

[graciemansion]

I tried to project a 6x9 negative but since it didn't fill the whole circle I looked inside and realized that the condenser lens doesn't cover the hole. The lens has a ring around it, preventing the 6x9 image from being projected completely. Does this mean I'd have to buy another lens to project a 6x9 image? I don't think I saw another one inside the home.

By the way, the condenser consists of only one lens. Is that correct? I mean the enlarger definitely works, but I've done a lot of research and everything I've read says the condenser is supposed to consist of two lenses.

 

[AgX]

There are different condenser designs. A single lens-element condenser is not uncommon for 6x9.

However the light passing the film-image must still reach the enlarging lens. If the condenser is smaller that than the image the enlarging lens lens must have a rear opening that is larger than the image. This is typically not the case.

Maybe you show us more photos of your enlarger.
You also did not tell us what lens you are using.

 

[ic-racer]

...The Veigel enlargers I've seen in adverts( early 1950's) were quite modern with the lamp house being more like the Durst M series enlargers (bulb/mirror/condensers) this gives a more compact diffuse light source compared to the tall vertical lamp housing used on most condenser enlargers. Can't really tell much from the photo you've posted...

Maybe you show us more photos of your enlarger.
You also did not tell us what lens you are using.

Please, more photos, otherwise we are just guessing.
For example, does it look like this?

 

[ic-racer]

you should be able to see the full 6x9 projected image using (say) a 50mm lens.
regards
Tony

Actually, if one has ever done this, you would see a circle of light. Or just the center 45mm of a 6x9 negative.

 

[Ian Grant]

Please, more photos, otherwise we are just guessing.
For example, does it look like this?

The adverts I've seen would indicate the 1950's model must have been something like that however the OP's isn't the same model.

Ian

 

[AgX]

IC-Racer, the enlarger you gave a photo of is a complete different enlarger from Veigel.
It is the Exact 35. A 35mm one with a genius focusing aid. (The same aid that Meopta used too.)

 

[ic-racer]

IC-Racer, the enlarger you gave a photo of is a complete different enlarger from Veigel.
It is the Exact 35. A 35mm one with a genius focusing aid. (The same aid that Meopta used too.)

That Exact 66 pictured above is also from Veigel in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. I don't own the Exact 66, but am familiar with its light source because it is similar in design to the light source on the Philips 150 that I do own.

 

[ic-racer]

There is a tachometer connection to Veigel, in Stuttgart-Cannstatt, also.

 

[AgX]

Founded about 1910. After WWII they added photographic apparatus.
Closed in 1957.

 

[AgX]

The only connection between the Exakt 66 (likely the head of the Exakt 35 is the same) and the Philips Tri-One I see is that the lamp(s) is located within a sphere.
A bit like an Ulbricht-sphere.

 

[graciemansion]

The lens is a 50mm f4 Componar. I've attached a picture of the inside of head. The bulb is simply suspended above the condenser.

 

[Ian Grant]

It looks like the condenser can be swapped for a larger one for MF. I assumed that was the enlarger's configuration, I looked in relevant BJP Almanacs but only the later enlarger is listed, imports prior to that(just after WWII) were heavily restricted into the UK.

Ian