Base board size

[F5B&W]

It looks like I am going to have to fab a base board for an Omega DV that I have purchased.

It also gives me the opportunity to customize the size away from the stock size of approx 20"x35".

What size should I make it?

 

[Rick A]

Size it to your largest easel plus a few inches each way.

 

[Paul Howell]

Do you have the XL column or standard column, I think if you have the standard column you can only enlarge up just short of a 16X20, not only because the column is not tall enough but the slant of the column is such as the easel runs into the base of the column. I have a D 3 with a standard column to print 16X20 I need to shoot to the floor.

 

[Rick A]

I can just get to 20x24 on my D5 and standard column using a 135 mm lens.

 

[Paul Howell]

I can just get to 20x24 on my D5 and standard column using a 135 mm lens.

So unless you have the XL column no reason to make a base larger than standard for a D5?

 

[Rick A]

My base is 18x26 inches, but it works out okay as is. Make yours what ever size suites your needs.
I guess I should clarify my image size, I can project a 4x5 negative to 20x24, however I can only get 17x24 with a 35 mm negative and 50 mm lens. I have a 40 mm enlarging lens that allows larger size with 35 mm.

 

[MattKing]

My base is 18x26 inches, but it works out okay as is. Make yours what ever size suites your needs.
I guess I should clarify my image size, I can project a 4x5 negative to 20x24, however I can only get 17x24 with a 35 mm negative and 50 mm lens. I have a 40 mm enlarging lens that allows larger size with 35 mm.

Some times I prefer to have the negative oriented in the portrait mode, and sometimes in the landscape mode.

If I was customizing a base board, I would try to take that into account.

 

[nworth]

I did that a few years ago, and I made the base for my 4X5 Beseler slightly larger than standard, but not much. A lot of things enter into the design. First you want to be able to position your easel to print from any portion of the negative. If you do a lot of high magnification cropping, this can be a problem; but if you usually print nearly full frame, you don't need much more than the standard size. Next, how big a print are you likely to make? You need a base at least big enough to position the easel for both horizontal and vertical enlargements of that size, with enough wiggle room to align the scene. It you limit yourself to 16X20, this is easy enough; but if you make 24 X 30s, you may have a problem. Along with that consider the limits of you enlarger - what size range will it handle with your setup and lenses. No need to build anything bigger than you can handle. Consider the enlarger mounting. Will it be attached to the wall or to the baseboard. Attaching it to the wall can give you some extra versatility when it comes to making the baseboard, but you will be stuck with that enlarger position. If you mount to the baseboard, you must consider the mounting and bracing. Last remember that you must be able to reach all the enlarger controls when it is at maximum height.

 

[Rick A]

Some times I prefer to have the negative oriented in the portrait mode, and sometimes in the landscape mode.

If I was customizing a base board, I would try to take that into account.

That's the great feature of the D-5(and other D's) is a rotatable negative carrier, so you can get optimum position on the base for whatever you are printing.

 

[bdial]

In the gallery darkroom (VCP) the enlargers are mounted directly to the counter tops without using the baseboard. It makes for an amazing amount of space for moving the easel anywhere you need it.

 

[Paul Howell]

In the gallery darkroom (VCP) the enlargers are mounted directly to the counter tops without using the baseboard. It makes for an amazing amount of space for moving the easel anywhere you need it.

I had thought doing that with my D3, I use an old computer workstation for the 80s or 90 for the table, it is very sturdy, but once mounted the counter top I can turn the enlarge around to shoot the to floor.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Chromega II 5D-XL baseboard is 22"x35" unless I take it to the UK and then it would be 35"x22".

 

[StephanA]

When I built my darkroom, I removed the baseboard and mounted my D2V to the wall about 10" above the printing table. The center section was cut out so it could be adjustable like the shelf in an oven. I never have found the largest I could blow up a print. A seven foot projection gets pretty big...

 

[Sirius Glass]

StephanA welcome to APUG