BEGINNER NEEDS HELP-FOCUSING WITH D5XL DICHROIC II

nomadicslacker · Dec 30, 2005

Hello I am a new subscriber to Apug and also a new photographer, I have a question about setting up this enlarger to focus properly with the EL Nikkor 50mm F2.8N lens and 35mm format film negs. So far I find it very difficult or what seems to be logically wrong. To sum up my adjustments- easel to lens stage height is 21 inches, which is a 4 on the column scale- bellows adjustment reference scale is set to 14, which is all the way up. What this does is cause the focusing to be done with the bellows fully compressed with not even the slightest bit of room to adjust. In my opinion the image should be at its sharpest focus with the bellows centered, and room to move on either side. Not jammed tight in a compressed state, however in this state of max compression of the bellows the image is focused. Seems wrong but i am just trying to make my first print and getting familiar with my enlarger. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

langedp · Dec 30, 2005

I had that same issue with my D5XL and 50mm EL Nikkor on a lens turret. You need an extended lens plate or go with a bigger lens like the 63mm El Nikkor. There are several lens plates up on eBay right now.

Ronald Moravec · Dec 31, 2005

No. you need a flat plate. It will have the oval shape with threaded hole for lens threads. Extended oval plates are for lenses there the mount extends behind the threads.

My 150 and 80 are on extended oval plates, but the extension will keep a 50 from getting close enough to the film hence the need to compress the bellows fully which may or may not get the neg in focus at high magnification.

If your lens does not have threads on the very end, there may be interference with the turret using a flat plate. The solution is either the 63mm Nikor or a 50 threaded on the very end.

nomadicslacker · Jan 1, 2006

Thanks for the help, its appreciated. I was able to get good bellows movement when focusing by extending the bellows to mid point then raising the lens stage to indicate 15 on the scale. I was only able to get to 14 that I stated in the original post because I had already compressed the bellows fully when trying to raise the lens stage, improper procedure but none the less resolved. Amazing how that small amount of distance between lens and film can make. Thanks Doug..

noseoil · Jan 1, 2006

I use a medium format lens for 35mm enlargements on my D5XL. I think it is 80mm. The longer lens will allow better movements and also give good, sharp images, as you will be using the center of the lens in a "sweet" spot. You have a very good enlarger, try getting a 4x5 Crown Graphic and a 135mm lens for enlarging. You will be amazed at the quality of images you can make at home. tim

David Brown · Jan 2, 2006

This thread made me go out and experiment with my D5xl.

I just got the machine about 6 months ago and had only done medium format so far. However, I still shoot 35mm and so this got me wondering. I mean, I know that alot of people have done 35mm with a D, and mine came with a "well used" 35mm carrier, so ...

Here's what I found.

I mounted my 63mm El Nikkor, and lo and behold, couldn't crank it high enough; until: I remembered that there is a second adjustment for the bellows. You can adjust the lens stage of the bellows up and down separate from the focusing knob. Mine has a lever "behind" the bellows that allows the lens stage to be adjusted. It also has a scale, and when I moved it up to "14"; voila! No problem with 7x10, 10x14, and larger.

I haven't tried it with a 50mm lens, but I bet the solution is the same.

Good luck with this.

Cheers.

David

John Koehrer · Jan 2, 2006

David Brown
Viola?

David Brown · Jan 2, 2006

John Koehrer said:
David Brown
Viola?

Or cello, take your pick.

(dang - never made a typo before ...) :rolleyes:

nomadicslacker · Jan 3, 2006

David, I think you will find that if you lower your bellows using the focus knob to about half way, then release the lens stage, you will be able to move the lens stage to 15 not just 14. Only until I moved the lens stage to 15 was I happy with the amount of movement when focusing using 35mm negs. Thanks Doug...

David Brown · Jan 3, 2006

nomadicslacker said:
David, I think you will find that if you lower your bellows using the focus knob to about half way, then release the lens stage, you will be able to move the lens stage to 15 not just 14. Only until I moved the lens stage to 15 was I happy with the amount of movement when focusing using 35mm negs. Thanks Doug...

I understand, Doug. "14" was sufficient for the 63mm lens. I have no doubt that 15 was necessary for a 50mm lens. Glad I could help.

Cheers

David.

BEGINNER NEEDS HELP-FOCUSING WITH D5XL DICHROIC II

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