Color enlarger (darkroom newbie)

John51 · Jun 4, 2019

The cheapest replacement 12v supply is from an old computer. Stabilised too. You might need to jam a paper clip into 2 green sockets to fool it into thinking that there's a motherboard connected. For 24v, keep both grounds electrically separate when hooking up 2 PSUs.

koraks · Jun 4, 2019

A 12V AC or DC power supply would be incredibly easy to get. A switch-mode DC unit will be overkill from a technical viewpoint, but it will make your light source virtually immune from whatever happens on your home AC net. It'll cost you something like €25 for a 200-250W unit.

brbo · Jun 4, 2019

AgX said:
So far I have not come across a lens where the diaphragm leaves were missing, but instead quite some where the leaves were not responding to twisting the aperture scale. So better look into this matter, maybe you have to open your lens. It is a basic lens, and without diaphragm you have nothing to loose anyway.

Yes, I've already opened the lens. Sadly, there is nothing between the front and back lens group.

John51 said:
The cheapest replacement 12v supply is from an old computer. Stabilised too. You might need to jam a paper clip into 2 green sockets to fool it into thinking that there's a motherboard connected. For 24v, keep both grounds electrically separate when hooking up 2 PSUs.

Great idea, thanks!

Martin Rickards said:
My lens is a Minolta 50 mm f2.8 CE Rokkor, which I got cheaply. Steer clear of the El Nikkor, Rodenstock or Schneider lenses as they're what everyone looks out for. My Minolta, Fuji EX, Durst, Meogon are less known, cheaper and will give excellent results.

Thank you for the lens suggestions!

brbo · Jun 5, 2019

I can get Schneider Componar-C 50/2.8 for 17 EUR (with shipping). No Meogons, CE Rokkors. or Fujinons EP in that price range. I'll just get this one and wait if something comes along later. I know that sharpness will probably be the last thing I'll have to worry about on first color prints...

Martin Rickards · Jun 5, 2019

brbo said:
I can get Schneider Componar-C 50/2.8 for 17 EUR (with shipping). No Meogons, CE Rokkors. or Fujinons EP in that price range. I'll just get this one and wait if something comes along later. I know that sharpness will probably be the last thing I'll have to worry about on first color prints...

Beware of the Schneider Componar or the Rodenstock Rogonar. They are budget 3 or 4 element lenses that, stopped down, will produce barely adequate enlargements especially above 10x8-.

choiliefan · Jun 6, 2019

It's possible your power supply problem is in the switch.
I bought an Omega B with colorhead which wouldn't do anything until I sprayed tuner cleaner into the switch and worked it a few times.
The switch contacts were brass with a waxy verdigris which made conduction(?) impossible until cleaned.

brbo · Jun 7, 2019

There is no switch It's just wires. I'll make a simple switch until I get a timer.

For the lens I found a Meogon S 50/2.8 for 35 EUR. It's a 6 element lens and seeing a couple of positive mentions on the net I opted for this Meogon instead of Schneider Componar-C 50/2.8.

Looking at the timers... Am I seeing it right? You plug the Viponel timer into the wall and then plug the transformer into Viponel?

Martin Rickards · Jun 7, 2019

brbo said:
There is no switch It's just wires. I'll make a simple switch until I get a timer.

For the lens I found a Meogon S 50/2.8 for 35 EUR. It's a 6 element lens and seeing a couple of positive mentions on the net I opted for this Meogon instead of Schneider Componar-C 50/2.8.

Looking at the timers... Am I seeing it right? You plug the Viponel timer into the wall and then plug the transformer into Viponel?

Yes, it's wall socket>Viponel>transformer>enlarger. The Viponel has a two position switch for timing: one gives you 0-6" and the other 0-60".
PS. The other switches from left to right are off, continuously on, and timed on.

brbo · Nov 20, 2019

So, I finally made my "darkroom"... well, dark. Yesterday was the Grand opening (the darkroom being so small it really needed something grand) and I even made my first print ever!

Portra 160 on Fuji Crystal Archive:

I was sooo happy I made a second print. All in the same evening - how about that

Portra 160NC on Kodak Endura Premier (expired):

Now I really wished I had an enlarger that could print Xpan negatives...

mshchem · Nov 20, 2019

brbo said:
So, I finally made my "darkroom"... well, dark. Yesterday was the Grand opening (the darkroom being so small it really needed something grand) and I even made my first print ever!

Portra 160 on Fuji Crystal Archive:

I was sooo happy I made a second print. All in the same evening - how about that

Portra 160NC on Kodak Endura Premier (expired):

Now I really wished I had an enlarger that could print Xpan negatives...

Those look great

Tom Kershaw · Nov 20, 2019

Great results. I'm just getting back into colour printing at the moment (De Vere 5108 and Jobo drums).

Color enlarger (darkroom newbie)

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