enlarger question

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

Hi all. Just received an omega pro lab 4x5 enlarger, got it all together but I can't seem to get the flat lens board to stay when I slide it in. There are two small guides at the front to slide it in but no guides towards the back to hold it. Am I doing something wrong or am I missing something. Got this for free with a d5500 with the dichroic head am trying to get the pro lab up first. Any help much appreciated

Rick A · Dec 4, 2016

I have a ProLab, use a three lens turret on it. The front lip on the turret stops it from sliding too far and centers the lens. You can check here for parts to see if you are missing a stop block.
http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers.htm

If it would help you out, I have an extra turret that would probably fix that issue.

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

What does the lens stage stop bracket look like. Also do I need the dovetail clips I saw

wiltw · Dec 4, 2016

You did not mention a specific model number, but there are a number of product which had the ProLab moniker from Omega. You might want to consult these pages

http://www.pdf-manuals.com/enlarging-lenses-accessories-omega-1965-841-instructions

darkroommike · Dec 4, 2016

Which Pro Lab do you mean, there are at least three built on different chassis. But for example my D5 (and there's a Pro Lab version) has a square slide in lens board carrier with a handle on the end. The lenses mount to oval lens plate that mount to the lens board carrier. This piece slides in all the way to a stop and the lens is then centered under the bellows. The D6 Pro Lab is more like a super D2, and the D5500 Pro Lab uses a larger lens board that the same oval lens plates mount on. If it the correct lens board it should slide in just so far and no more, assuming that it's a factory item and not some shop made kludge. http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D6.htm

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

Rick A said:
I have a ProLab, use a three lens turret on it. The front lip on the turret stops it from sliding too far and centers the lens. You can check here for parts to see if you are missing a stop block.
http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers.htm
View attachment 168589 View attachment 168590 View attachment 168591

If it would help you out, I have an extra turret that would probably fix that issue.

It would be nice to have the three lens turret but doesn't seem like there anything to hold it aside from those two small guides on front

darkroommike · Dec 4, 2016

matthew longfellow said:
It would be nice to have the three lens turret but doesn't seem like there anything to hold it aside from those two small guides on front

Two different turrets depending on whether your Pro Lab is a D5 or D6 variant and I'll wager the D5500 variant uses yet another turret. In a production lab the turret is handy but I can't see it for a home darkroom.

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

Pretty sure it's the d5 pro lab. Here's some pics of it with a shot of the problem

MattKing · Dec 4, 2016

That is a D5. There are two pieces of spring steel that attach at one end on the mechanism with the other end resting on the top of those guides. The spring steel pieces squeeze the lens plate holder up against the mechanism, but they appear to have been broken on your enlarger.
The remaining ends of those two pieces of spring steel are in the upper and lower right corners of your image.

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

So looks like I should be able to replace the spring clips by removing those two small screws. Failing that would it work if I permanently attached the board to the lens stage. Looks like I could swap the oval lens holder pretty easily

MattKing · Dec 4, 2016

matthew longfellow said:
So looks like I should be able to replace the spring clips by removing those two small screws. Failing that would it work if I permanently attached the board to the lens stage. Looks like I could swap the oval lens holder pretty easily

I'd heartily recommend that you don't permanently attach the board. To do so will make it much less convenient to switch lenses, and one of the great advantages of a D5 is that it permits easy switching of lenses.

FWIW, the part number for those springs on my D-6 is 9-111-0148. My D6 is the older version, based on the D2 chassis.

KHB can probably identify the details of those springs, and may very well be able to sell them to you.

matthew longfellow · Dec 4, 2016

Thanks for the response. After looking at it it is the two spring clips I need.
Question to all would anyone have any spares lying about

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