Beginner help with enlargers

I've enlarged in the darkroom before but this was at school where the enlargers were already set up and I didn't think too much about it. But now I'm wanting to start printing again and have some questions.

Someone near me is selling an Omega B8 enlarger and I wanted to know what questions to ask about it. I know to ask what carriers and lenses it comes with, but is there anything else I should look out for? If it does not come with both the carriers I need (35mm and 6x6), how hard are these to source? In regards to lenses, I've read that different lens boards are needed for different focal lengths. Are these difficult to source as well? And once I have the lens boards, are enlarging lens mounts universal? As in, if I bought an EL-Nikkor from ebay, would it fit? Lastly, what focal length lenses should I be looking for? I'd like to print from small (4x6 and 4x4) to large (8x10 or perhaps 16x16 very occasionally in the future).

Thanks for helping me out!

You can find whatever parts you might need on ebay, usually for a pretty cheap price if you are patient.

The parts are also available on the APUG Photrio Classified ads .Some nice people are on the website, I heard.

50mm lens for 35mm
75mm-80mm lens for 6x6

If you haven't seen this page yet, this should be a big help as far as getting parts numbers for this enlarger: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/B8.htm

Like a lot of Omega and Beseler enlargers, there are plenty of used parts available online and elsewhere. It appears this model uses a flat lens mount for 50mm lenses, and a lens cone for 75-80mm lenses. Most lenses in this range use a 39mm leica thread size. You'll want a 50mm lens for 35mm negatives and a 75 or 80mm lens for 6x6 negatives. Anything from Nikkor, Rodenstock or Schneider will be top notch. If you can't find a copy of the user manual online, someone here at PHOTRIO should be able to help you out.

There is a common lens panel opening 39mm threaded which fits many (most?) lenses in this focal length range, there are three "big names" for high quality lenses, Nikon, Rodenstock and Schneider.

The B8 was super-ceded by the B22 and B66 models that used smaller negative carriers due to the smaller max format size (6 x9 vs 6 x 6 formats (in cm)) . B8 parts are thus older and may be harder to find. So make sure it is rather complete (carriers and boards) if not super cheap like around $10.

Enlarging lenses are now sold at bargain prices. Main thing is to avoid degraded lenses - make sure to look through them using backlighting via a small LED flashlight. Given current low cost there is no point in buying a Tessar type (4 element) enlarging lens or one with even few elements. These were sold at lower cost than 6 element enlarging lenses way back when. For example, the EL Nikkor 50mm f/4 and 75mm f/4 lenses are Tessar types, all the rest are 6 elements.
Tom

See: https://www.photrio.com/forum/index...ger-with-neg-carriers-lens-mounts-etc.154175/

The enlarger includes both 6x6 and 35mm negative carriers, but only the flat lens board and a 50mm Beslar 3.5 lens (I know this isn't regarded as the best lens, but does anyone have any experience with it?).

He's selling a whole darkroom setup including the enlarger, Paterson developing tank with forced film washer hose, a whole stack of trays, brand new tongs and thermometer, 2 darkroom lights, timer. He has it listed on craigslist for $100, but it has been up for a month so I might be able to get it down even more and then put the money saved towards a lens cone and longer lens to enlarge 6x6.

This is my first time setting up my own darkroom so any input is welcome. Does this seem like a pretty good move? It is pretty close to me so I can go check everything out before buying. Plus, after moving from Dallas to Tampa, film photography enthusiasts are few and far between here so this may be my only chance to get an enlarger at a convenient distance for a while.

Beseler "HD" lenses are (or were) made by Rodenstock for Beseler.

Valuation is difficult. Have you made a search of ebay.com for enlargers? This would show you the range of what is available and the prices things go for. Don't believe the prices people ask on ebay, check the completed listings for the actual price an item sold for.

With a complete outfit often the seller wants the convenience of dealing with one buyer and to be rid of everything in a single deal, rather than listing everything separately. It might be thought that this would raise the value of the collection of things however there are fewer people in search of a complete darkroom outfit and so the competition between buyers may be reduced. If this has been on offer for a month this suggests there is little interest. In a situation like this I would try to haggle, perhaps offer $50 and expect to settle on $75? The Beslar lens is probably OK to get you started, if used stopped down to f8 or f11.

The first thing I would do is search this forum for every post available on the B8. While not familiar with that model I found a lens cone is required: one for 75-80mm lenses and a second for 90-105mm lenses. Several posts mentioned supplementary lenses (are they required to enlarger medium format???) Contact some of the folks actually using this enlarger and pick their brain - could save you a world of pain. If it is going to take you 6 months to source the additional parts you may need you might want to go in a different direction. If the seller is an experienced printer (or previously) MAYBE he/she can answer all your questions but buyer beware. To me condition is really important and one look will tell you how highly regarded this enlarger has been in the eyes of the owner.

Rick Jones said:

The first thing I would do is search this forum for every post available on the B8. While not familiar with that model I found a lens cone is required: one for 75-80mm lenses and a second for 90-105mm lenses. Several posts mentioned supplementary lenses (are they required to enlarger medium format???) Contact some of the folks actually using this enlarger and pick their brain - could save you a world of pain. If it is going to take you 6 months to source the additional parts you may need you might want to go in a different direction. If the seller is an experienced printer (or previously) MAYBE he/she can answer all your questions but buyer beware. To me condition is really important and one look will tell you how highly regarded this enlarger has been in the eyes of the owner.

Click to expand...

Very good advice. I think I’ll take it.

Sam just contacted me off-list about the B-8 (since I've written several posts about mine). I replied to him directly, but am repeating my answer here, in case anyone else might be interested:

Sam,

I haven't printed 35mm for years, although I do have the flat lens board for that size. The usual focal length for 6 X 6 is 75 or 80 mm. According to the late Harry Taylor, who ran a wonderful Omega website until his death a few years ago, an 80 mm lens works fine without a supplementary condenser, but a 75 needs the long discontinued "thin" supplementary condenser. There is also a "thick" supplementary condenser for a 50 mm lens. Both supplementary condensers come up on eBay from time to time. Harry sold new thick ones that he had made, but I suppose those aren't available anymore. I have both–the long-discontinued "thin" condenser took a while to find. I suspect you could skip the supplementary condenser and it would be fine–why not try it with your 50?

I never made prints larger than 11 X 14 from 35 mm, with a 50 mm lens on my B-8. IIRC there was lots of room for cropping. An 80 mm lens almost lets you make 16 X 20s from 6 X 6 negatives; a 75 works a little better, but both leave you with no room to crop and very wide margins. BTW the only REALLY good 75 I know of is the old Kodak Projection (or Enlarging) Ektar, a 5 element lens that's the equal of more recent 6 element models.

I use a 60 mm WA Companon lens now to make 16 X 20 prints from 6 X 6 negatives. I use it with the flat lens board intended for a 50 mm lens and the supplementary condenser intended for a 75 mm lens, but that condenser probably isn't necessary. With the wide angle lens there's plenty of room for cropping. I think I could make 20 X 24s, if I had room for the trays in my tiny darkroom. !6 X 20, and even 11 X 14 trays require a tray ladder to fit.

As far as lens cones go, I use a 1 1/2" on for my 80 (or 75)mm lens and a 2 1/2" one for the 105 mm lens I occasionally use for 6 X 9 negatives. I don't think there's any advantage in using a 105 (or 100, or 90 for 6 X 6. I THINK lens cones made for a larger Omega D-2 also fit the B-8 (and cones for the earlier "B" model enlargers) also fit. AFAIK the lens discs, that hold the lens to the cone are all the same.

With Harry Taylor's demise the Omega authority is KHB Photografix in Canada:

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/

They may have some old parts in stock, but they're usually much less expensive, and fairly common, on eBay, although you'll usually need a standing search and some patience.

If you buy the B-8 get a few extra bulbs. They're still made (and new old stock ones come up frequently on eBay) but the have an odd base (the same as Beseler B 22s and older 23Cs). FWIW I've had my B-8 for >10 years and haven't replaced the bulb yet, but I have several extras, just in case.
I really like my B-8 and think you'd like one two. You also might want to consider a 4 X 5 D-2 (similar, but about 1/3rd larger) if you have room. The comparable Beseler model is the 23C, which is also good.

I believe that you can get the enlarger lamp bulbs from our sponsor FreeStyle, http://www.freestylephoto.biz/

Thank you Bob for all the great, helpful info!