Durst RS35 - repair condenser

[ganymoe]

Hi Photrio Community.

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Some OffTopic / First Post Info...
My name is Markus and after some years of digital only, i started again with my old EOS30. I bought a couple of years ago a Durst RS35 enlarger, but back then i hadn't really got the space for a darkroom. Until now, i just did negative development and scanned them, but i want to bring my work to paper now. And forgive me my poor english-photo-terms..
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So i looked for the RS35 in the attic and well, it works, but the condensor was very very dirty. So i took it appart and then i saw that the most dirt is from the foam/sponge where the lense "sits" on.
I thought i could replace this with some foam, but i am not really sure if i need some "special" one, because of the higher temperatures?
also i saw that the part (on the 3rd photo) has some glue-remains on it and that there was light comming out on all sides. (so i thought i put there as well some foam to prevent some light-escape...)

Maybe someone can give me some hints on my problems.


(Also, i am not sure if i am allowed to ask, is there anyone who has a manual for that enlarger and i may can get a copy of that?) Already got one.

Thank you,
Markus

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome to Photrio, Markus!

 

[Kino]

I would think any closed-cell black foam you can find would suit to replace the rotted foam. Depending on how stiff the foam is, uou may have to experiment with thickness. Start thicker than you need and shave it down.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

The old stuff looks like urethane foam; rotting is what it does best. You might try a closed cell foam like Ensolite or foam rubber (which will crumble with age, but it won't turn to goo).

Try an arts-and-crafts store or a fabric store - both should be able to supply you with sheet foam. Use double-sided cello tape to attach it, the tape is easier to reposition than glue.

In the US we have https://foammart.com - there should be something like it in the EU.

 

[VinceInMT]

It’s hard to tell exactly from the photo but it looks like open-cell foam. This type of foam allows for more cushioning than the closed-cell foam. Here in the States, any hardware store is a good place to find different foam options as these are used for weatherstripping around doors and windows and is sold in rolled strips. You can buy a lifetime supply for this use for just a few dollars/Euros.

 

[ganymoe]

hi and thanks for your help.

Well i got some foam, i tested it now and found out that there is no heat at all at that position, so that should be fixed.

But i got a new problem now and i think that is far more trickier. If even possible to fix.

So if i install the condenser head in the right place i got half of the projection darker than the other half
And if i put it by hand in front of the lightsource (is now about 2-3 millimeters farther away), it looks ok-ish...

I don't know if this can be set right with some set-screws...

So maybe someone has an idea or knows what the problem is. Or if i can put it in the trash :/

 

[Kino]

Looks like an alignment issue.

Just throwing a few things out there to check; I am unfamiliar with this enlarger so these are generic suggestions:

* When you disassembled the condensers to clean them, are you sure you put them back in exactly the same orientation?
* Is there a mirror in the condenser box? Is it in the right position?
* Check the manual for images of the head. Was there a spacer between the lamp house and condenser at one time that is missing?
* Is this the right lamp for the enlarger?

 

[ganymoe]

Thanks again for the suggestions.
I will try them the next days.

 

[ganymoe]

Hi again. Just to finally close this topic...

(omg i am so stupid...)
The problem was indeed the lamp!
I haven't checked / changed it and just used the one that came with it.
well.. it was no opal lamp at all + the socket can be moved up/down, and the lamp was to high, and not centered, so there was this weired shadow...

thx again, hope i find now the time to get going and get my darkroom ready.