Enlarger Condenser Question.

Hi All,

I have been printing with a condeser enlarger now for almost a year. The bulb finally burned out, so I took the cover off and much to my surprise there is a big condenser inside that is labeled for use with lenses up to 105mm only and to remove it for anything bigger. Well, needless to say I have been printing 4x5 negatives with a 150mm lens for quite a while with that condenser in place.

I dont have a manual for the enlarger, nor did a search really turn up an answer. I havent had a chance to print since I put in a new bulb, but does anyone any have ideas as to what effect removing that condenser may have? I am wondering exactly what kind of affects it will have on the image?

Any ideas or thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Thanx!

Gary

You might want to give us a few more details. I'm sure there is someone here who can help if he/she knows the enlarger brand and model number.

Thanks! Its Fuji 450M enlarger.

Thanks!

Gary

Did you contact Fuji? They are the best source I think.

If not, here's one place I can think of, which has (or at least had before) the same (or similar if not exactly the same) enlarger as yours:

http://www.hit-on.co.jp/archive/report_03_1.html

Hit-On is a rental and pro lab in Tokyo, but maybe they will be kind enough to answer your question(s). Just try.

That sounds a lot like the way Omega enlargers work. The auxilary condensor changes the focus to match with the shorter focal length lenses and reduce or eliminate hotspots. You may not notice much difference with the lens in except for less brightness. Try a print in and then the same one with it out, you'll most likely notice a gain in light output. Using the enlarger with a short lens without the aux condensor is where you'll really see the difference , you may start seeing an image of the bulb projected on your easel.

Thank you for all the comments! That gives me a pretty good idea of what that condensor does.

Actually I am going to Tokyo on Tuesday, I might actually go Hit-On, since I am going to be very close to there on business. THank you for the very helpful information!

Gary

glbeas said:

That sounds a lot like the way Omega enlargers work.
The auxilary condensor changes the focus to match with
the shorter focal length lenses ...

Click to expand...

I thought that the case for some time. Actually condensers
do just that, condense the beam of light. Beyond the set of the
two usual condensers which will cover any format, additional
condensers are used to increase the level of light striking
smaller negatives. Light fall off occurs when the light is
so condensed as to not cover the negative.

From my reading the focal point of the condensers is to
fall beyond the lens' placement. I've measured my pair and
found that the focal point just exceeds any usefully
extension of the bellows.

I've an Omega B8, junior partner of the D series. Dan

[QUOTES=dancqu;448194]
"I thought that the case for some time. Actually condensers
do just that, condense the beam of light. Beyond the set of the
two usual condensers which will cover any format, additional
condensers are used to increase the level of light striking
smaller negatives. Light fall off occurs when the light is
so condensed as to not cover the negative."

To expand some on my previous post:
The above is stating the obvious. But it was Not obvious
when reading the instructions for my Omega B8, a junior D2.
The auxiliary condensers were associated with the focal lengths
of the enlarging lenses as glbeas has stated. I don't recall any
mention of the size of negative to be illuminated.

What may not be so obvious from the instructions is the use
of the two large condensers alone for any format and any focal
length enlarging lens. If small format negatives are illuminated so,
it is the same illumination any small section of a large negative
might receive. If the magnification of the small negative is not
great, print times can still be reasonable. That is the only
reason for the auxiliary condensers, shorter print times.
Well that and easier focusing for large prints.

"From my reading the focal point of the condensers is to
fall beyond the lens' placement. I've measured my pair and
found that the focal point just exceeds any useful extension
of the bellows. I've an Omega B8, junior partner of the D series."

That above with a 105mm enlarging lens which, IIRC, is 10 or
15mm greater than the instructions allow. I have not tested
with a lens whose useful extension exceeds the condenser
focal length. So like I say in the above paragraph, "From
my reading ... "

To measure the focal length of the condensers one need only
to remove the negative carrier and lens board. With the light on
observe the image of the bulb projected upon the easel or a card
and make note of the distance to the negative stage. Dan