Condenser position inside Vivitar VI rule of thumb?

[Kurt.Strecker]

Greetings all, I'm excited about joining the community!

I just bought a Vivitar VI with the Color head.

I haven't used an enlarger since school (a whole 3 years ago . . . ) and I remeber something about where the condenser should be placed in relation to the format or focal length enlarger lens used . . . but I can't remember anything more than that.

When I picked it up, the condenser assembly was in the lowest position.

The whole setup came with 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm lenses and the largest neg carrier is a 6x6 . . .

Is the condenser in the right place for this setup?

Thanks so much for your help.

Kurt.

 

[troym]

If you flip up the hinged door to the condenser housing, there should be a diagram on the inside of the door that shows the proper placement of the adjustable condenser. The upper slot is for medium format and the lower slot is for 35mm.

 

[Kurt.Strecker]

Hm, I looked around inside to check that everything was in order, but didn't see a diagram. Thanks for the info!

 

[troym]

No prob. I think it's a decal, so it may have peeled off over the years.

 

[dancqu]

Test by making two or three small prints
with no negative in the carrier. An evenly
gray print and you're OK. A Good test to
run feeling safe or not.

BTW, a condenser position which does
well for your largest format will do
well for any smaller format. Dan