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Exposure times of some enlargers are way up??

aca

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
72
Location
Amsterdam
Format
35mm
Hello,

My latest quesiton was about a piece of broken bulb / lamp still sitting in the cracked-ceramic-holder (I think I have found a donate unit on a local market, waiting for it to arrive).
Last weekend I notice another problem, the exposure times on one of the enlargers is way up compare to the other enlargers. My questions; what could be the cause and how can i fix this?
I thought a bulb/lamp (halogen) is good or broken? Can it also be less powerfull??
Could it be a faulty transformer??

Hope I don't need to find another unit
 
Last weekend I notice another problem, the exposure times on one of the enlargers is way up compare to the other enlargers. My questions; what could be the cause and how can i fix this?

If the enlarger has a filter drawer, check that it doesn't have an extra filter in it. (yes, BTDT)
It is possible for a lamp to age differently than the others, but they'll usually blow instead of getting less bright.
 
Depends on the condenser or diffuser, the type of bulb, age of the bulb, bulb voltage, ...
 
Tx again,

I am going to the darkroom this evening and will check the drawer.

@George Nova Scotia : where can i find the 3 letter code? on the socket??

@Sirius Glass, the condenser, do you mean this condensing lens? and what should I do with these??


I have this bulb to use:

 
@Sirius Glass, the condenser, do you mean this condensing lens? and what should I do with these??

Leave the condenser alone, it could change the exposure time. Check to see if you have the right bulb in the enlarger.
 
Leave the condenser alone, it could change the exposure time. Check to see if you have the right bulb in the enlarger.
Ok, I will leave the condenser alone. How do I check if I have the right bulb?? George said something about a 3 letter code, where on the unit/ enlarger can I find this code??

In another thread I read a halogen lamp will lose his power gradually. I need to buy a brand new bulb to be sure and check this. There are 3 bulbs in package, but I am not sure if these are used "and not strong enough anymore"

I will keep you up to date
 
Check as well to be sure that the lens is both clean (both top and bottom) and free of haze. Also check that the aperture is working properly - not stuck at a smaller opening.
 
Ok, just got back from the darkroom and did a couple of checks, but not happy with the results. Now I am home again I realize I test with the color buttons to get the contrasts and not with physical filters. Could the color unit be a bit off with the filter grades???