Does anyone know which Omega 4x5 enlarger this is?

[logan2z]

I'm trying to figure out which Omega 4x5 enlarger this is but haven't been able to find the exact same model online. I thought it might have been a Prolab II/D5 but I don't think it quite matches either of those models. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Erik L]

To my eye, it looks like a d5 chassis. The variable condenser head is probably similar to the prolab variable condenser head but I’ve only seen the prolab version so I’m not not certain. Should be a good get if all the goodies are there.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I agree, the chassis resembles my D5, but mine has an Ilford head, so no help there.

 

[logan2z]

Should be a good get if all the goodies are there.

I'm not that familiar with Omega enlargers, is there a critical set of goodies I should be looking for?

Three negative carriers are included, unfortunately the 4x5 carrier isn't one of them. But they seem pretty easy to find online and not terribly expensive. I only really care about this enlarger for making enlargements from 4x5 negatives, I have other enlargers that support 35mm up to 6x9 negatives.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Is a timer included?
If not, GraLab digital one is a good choice.
150mm lens...
135mm if you're going to make big enlargements.

 

[logan2z]

Is a timer included?
If not, GraLab digital one is a good choice.
150mm lens...
135mm if you're going to make big enlargements.

Yes, two timers are included - the classic analog Gralab timer and a digital Gralab timer. I've got a classic Gralab and an RH Designs timer but an extra digital timer could come in handy.

Only a 50mm and 80mm Nikkor lens are included, both of which I already have. I'd have to pick up a lens for 4x5 enlargements. But I don't even have a 4x5 camera yet, I'm just planning ahead

 

[MattKing]

You know who I would recommend you ask - KHB
I would check that everything is in the Variable Condenser unit.

 

[MattKing]

And on the subject of it being a "D5", for clarity it is the later version of the D5 which appeared in a number of configurations - all of which seemed to have the single, XL column.
One of those versions was the D5 Universal, which appears, from the KHB page, to have been sold without a baseboard.
Here is the KHB page: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm

 

[logan2z]

You know who I would recommend you ask - KHB
I would check that everything is in the Variable Condenser unit.

I looked at the KHB site's list of Omega enlargers before I posted, but couldn't find the exact model there. But yeah, I'm sure Kevin Brown will know for sure.

 

[Don_ih]

I would check that everything is in the Variable Condenser unit.

I second that. If this enlarger was never used for 4x5, you need to make sure it can be,

 

[Paul Howell]

If the enlarger was used for 35mm to 6X9 then the adjustable condenser should be there, when enlarging 4X5, if the adjustable condenser is like those in a D2 or 3, the top condenser is removed only the lower condenser is used. But you do want to make sure both condensers are not chipped or scratched.

 

[Rick A]

The variable condenser head contains one condenser and several positions to use depending on the lens chosen. Flip the front access panel (that reads Variable condenser lamphouse) and have a look. Below that chamber should be two condensers inside the metal cylinder.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Changes in the 'D' chassis were incremental. The later D 5's had longer columns and more bellows extension, which that example apparently does have. The condenser head is obviously meant for up to 4x5, provided it is complete. It's getting harder to find Anti-Newton glass for the 4x5 carriers. But that piece of equipment in general should last a long time. They are durable.

 

[darkroommike]

I'm not that familiar with Omega enlargers, is there a critical set of goodies I should be looking for?

Three negative carriers are included, unfortunately the 4x5 carrier isn't one of them. But they seem pretty easy to find online and not terribly expensive. I only really care about this enlarger for making enlargements from 4x5 negatives, I have other enlargers that support 35mm up to 6x9 negatives.

Make sure you get the later version of the 4x5 carrier with the octagonal spacer (spider) on the bottom. Your lamphouse should have a third condenser that can be slotted into different positions for different focal length lenses. And don't sweat exact model designations, every Omega I have every bought was a "mixmaster" mutt.

 

[logan2z]

Thanks to everyone for the advice re: the condensers. The enlarger is a fair distance from me but I’ll ask the seller for some pictures of the inside of the condenser head. Hopefully it’s all there and in good condition.

 

[logan2z]

Make sure you get the later version of the 4x5 carrier with the octagonal spacer (spider) on the bottom. Your lamphouse should have a third condenser that can be slotted into different positions for different focal length lenses. And don't sweat exact model designations, every Omega I have every bought was a "mixmaster" mutt.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[mwdake]

Other than it looking newer and the writing and font on the condenser compartment being more modern looking it looks a lot like my D5 ProLab.

I had several of those until last year but 2 of them had to go.

 

[logan2z]

According to Kevin Brown at KHB Photografix, the enlarger is a late production D5XL with DV condenser lamphouse.

I think a little roadtrip might be in my future

 

[Paul Howell]

Ive had a D3 for over 40 years, it was used when I got it of course, Omega enlargers are rugged.

 

[f/Alex]

Changes in the 'D' chassis were incremental. The later D 5's had longer columns and more bellows extension, which that example apparently does have. The condenser head is obviously meant for up to 4x5, provided it is complete. It's getting harder to find Anti-Newton glass for the 4x5 carriers. But that piece of equipment in general should last a long time. They are durable.

Durable, the the stand sucks, and if you're not careful they'll get really hard to move due to the contact surface getting corroded by darkroom chemicals, cleaning them is annoying but quite possible. Also the bolt in point is annoying, it causes serious issues over time due to the stress the enlarger will put on your table. I would recommend bolting the system into the wall with a bracket or something to support that god awful cantilever design they have (I'm aware most enlargers have that design, but not my bessler 45). Also the counterweight sucks if you ever have to service it, and you forget to lock down the clamp at the bottom it'll come right up and wack you at mach jesus.
As for the Enlarger? Yea as previously pointed out, Omega D stands are pretty incremental and interchangeable with eachother, I would say this might be D2?
Chipped condenser lenses are rather common for this model from my experience, A lot of these seem to have been bough for schools, city planning departments, etc and other situations where they get shit thrown at em all day and no appreciation. Also they're a bit annoying to service, but not horrible. But I will say, they're generally only rated for 75w bulbs, personally I prefer 150w bulbs, but these get real hot if you do that.

Yea I have a part-time seasonal job servicing these (if anyone knows anywhere that wants to hire me full time to do that! anything more than my current 4 hours a week would be appreciated haha)

 

[Rick A]

Durable, the the stand sucks, and if you're not careful they'll get really hard to move due to the contact surface getting corroded by darkroom chemicals, cleaning them is annoying but quite possible. Also the bolt in point is annoying, it causes serious issues over time due to the stress the enlarger will put on your table. I would recommend bolting the system into the wall with a bracket or something to support that god awful cantilever design they have (I'm aware most enlargers have that design, but not my bessler 45). Also the counterweight sucks if you ever have to service it, and you forget to lock down the clamp at the bottom it'll come right up and wack you at mach jesus.
As for the Enlarger? Yea as previously pointed out, Omega D stands are pretty incremental and interchangeable with eachother, I would say this might be D2?
Chipped condenser lenses are rather common for this model from my experience, A lot of these seem to have been bough for schools, city planning departments, etc and other situations where they get shit thrown at em all day and no appreciation. Also they're a bit annoying to service, but not horrible. But I will say, they're generally only rated for 75w bulbs, personally I prefer 150w bulbs, but these get real hot if you do that.

Yea I have a part-time seasonal job servicing these (if anyone knows anywhere that wants to hire me full time to do that! anything more than my current 4 hours a week would be appreciated haha)

I dunno, I bought my D-5 used nearly 40 years ago, still looks and acts like the day I picked it up. The previous owner took good care of it and so do I. No corrosion anywhere, the condenser lenses are immaculate. As for the enlarger the OP posed about, it's probably the last iteration of the D(5) series.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Hi Alex. I'm a firm believer in never installing an enlarger in the same room as the darkroom sink with its dampness and chemicals. No wonder gear gets corroded and rusty. I have a bad enough time just with my salt air coastal climate. Even though I no longer use the Omega D, the chassis is still there in a corner, and not rusted to this very day, not even the tensioning springs. Those tensioners are just common Acme sash window spring balancers. They did the job and cost next to nothing. The baseboard is still in perfect condition.

All the enlargers I now use are of much more serious build quality than typical Omega or Beseler, etc. This includes three commercial Durst units.

 

[f/Alex]

The previous owner took good care of it

That's a luxury the only D2s I've seen haven't had. A lot of Ds seem to be owned by schools and such, at least all 13 I've seen except one.

I'm a firm believer in never installing an enlarger in the same room as the darkroom sink with its dampness and chemicals.

Oh yea I mean the worst Ds are the ones at my workplace, and there's a lot of issues with all the equipment in that room, including a lack of ventilation.

 

[EdFromNYC]

I'm trying to figure out which Omega 4x5 enlarger this is but haven't been able to find the exact same model online. I thought it might have been a Prolab II/D5 but I don't think it quite matches either of those models. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[EdFromNYC]

Hi!

I had a custom photolab for 40 years and retired in 2008! We used six D5 Chromegas and a dozen D2V Omega B/W enlargers!

Your enlarger appears to be a very late model D2V with a very nice black finish that looks to be in great shape! I did an image search and all I could find are images of similar black variable condenser housings but without the "12" which might denote that it is the twelfth enlarger from the South Orange County CCD (whatever and wherever that is?)

Can you check the bar code?

Be well! Ed From NYC