Best Lens for Omega C4X5

[RPippin]

I'm looking for some advice on the best lens for my enlarger. I know this is an open ended question, so a little background. Most of the work I do is on either 8X10 RC or fiber or 11X14 VCFB. I like doing lith prints in a square format around 10 1/2 by 10 1/2 that I frame out to 16 X 16. The problem I'm having is when I enlarge to the 11X14 paper and the enlarger is cranked up almost to the max with the bellows almost half way up as well. Not much room for anything larger on the eisle. I have a 80mm, and a 120mm lens as well as a couple of 40mm and 50mm. I've tried all the combinations I can on the enlarger difusers and something tells me that I'm missing something critical. This is a new enlarger for me, my standby is an old medium format Durst, but I'm limited in the negitive size to either 6X6 or 6X4.5 on the Durst. Any help will be apreciated, thanks.

 

[eddie]

If you're enlarging 4x5 negatives, you'll need a 135 or 150 mm lens.

 

[Paul Howell]

Although a few 135mms may not cover 4X5, 135 is though the standard lens for 4X5. Some folks like a 150 as they feel a 150 is sharper in the corners. I generaly use a 135mm APO for 8X10 and 11X14 and a 162 for 5X7. If you have the variable condenser head the upper condenser goes in the top rack when using a 135mm lens and is removed when a 150 or longer lens is used. If you are on a budget both Wollensack Raptars and Kodak Enlarging Extars are decent lens for very little money.

 

[archphoto]

KEH has a nice 150mm Rodagon (BGN) for $ 41,30.

Rodagons are realy good enlargerlenses that will get every thing out of your neg's.

Peter

 

[fschifano]

Which Omega enlarger? What size negatives are you trying to use with it? See Harry Taylor's site at http://www.classic-enlargers.com for all things Omega. He has parts you might need as well.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

A 135 is usually adequate for 4x5 specially small prints, but it is really for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. 150 is better but requires more column height.

Omega C are for 6x7 negs. To my knowledge there is no C 4x5. D models are 4x5.

You need a 4x5 condenser set which is 6 1/4 " diameter or if a diffusion enlarger, a box that covers 4x5.

You may need longer cones for some D models, 3 1/4 or 6 " if all you have are 3 or 4" bellows like a D2.