Gem 504 (DeVere clone) Alignment

[thefizz]

Before I go messing around with the numerous little bolts on my Gem 504 (clone of the DeVere 504), can anyone explain how to align the lens holder and film insert?

 

[mpirie]

Are there any instructions in the DeVere 504 manual?

Mike

 

[Mick Fagan]

Well it is quite a few years since I needed to adjust mine, but in general you centre the swivelling part (black handle) until it is centred, then lock it in place.

Then using a very accurate engineers level, you adjust the lens carriage by loosening the two black bolts directly under the black handle, to align left to right with the head.

Once you have done that, the two alloy looking screws on either side at the bottom, are moved in or out to complete the alignment in the fore and aft mode.

I have the Salt Hill Alignment tool, which is something I should have purchased decades earlier, this is really terrific in getting alignment.

After you have done that, the baseboard needs alignment, that is assuming it is mounted like the De Vere baseboard.

Now I'm sort of going a lot on memory here, but I think that is roughly it for the De Vere.

Any chance of some more inclusive pictures of your De Vere clone enlarger, I've never heard of them?

 

[Lachlan Young]

The machine in question was (I'm pretty sure) made by Advena who were set up by ex De Vere people around the time that original De Vere collapsed in the early 1990s (recession & digital shift in the military/ industrial markets etc). Essentially they're best described as a mechanical equivalent (with some cross compatible parts) to a 504, but made in slightly different ways. From recall, all the alignment points are essentially in the same places.

 

[thefizz]

Can't find any manual for the Gem 504. Some of the adjustments look similar to the DeVere 504 but not all.

Just found this video on DeVere alignment which should help.