HELP!! -- Light Source for Zone VI Series II Enlarger ??

Today, I scored a really good deal on a nearly complete Zone VI Series II 5x7 enlarger. The only hitch (as far as I know) is it's missing the light source. So I need to build one (or have one built) for it.

Has anyone built an LED light source or modified something like an LED light panel to use with this enlarger? My goal is to rarely make mural-size prints... up to 50x100 inches. Usually though, 16x20. So I think it should be extremely bright but dimmable.

EDIT: I'm certainly not opposed to the 8x10 adapter.

I have a zone vi light source for the 5x7
It is the standard cold light..if interested pm me

PM replied to.

The ultimate for me would be to find a genuine Series 2 head with a bad or missing lamp or nonfunctional or gutted but complete mechanically. I want to modify a head with an LED panel. Of course, nonfunctional condition would be reflected in the price.

Old-N-Feeble said:

Today, I scored a really good deal on a nearly complete Zone VI Series II 5x7 enlarger. The only hitch (as far as I know) is it's missing the light source. So I need to build one (or have one built) for it.

Has anyone built an LED light source or modified something like an LED light panel to use with this enlarger? My goal is to rarely make mural-size prints... up to 50x100 inches. Usually though, 16x20. So I think it should be extremely bright but dimmable.

EDIT: I'm certainly not opposed to the 8x10 adapter.

Click to expand...

Old-N-Feeble said:

Today, I scored a really good deal on a nearly complete Zone VI Series II 5x7 enlarger. The only hitch (as far as I know) is it's missing the light source. So I need to build one (or have one built) for it.

Has anyone built an LED light source or modified something like an LED light panel to use with this enlarger? My goal is to rarely make mural-size prints... up to 50x100 inches. Usually though, 16x20. So I think it should be extremely bright but dimmable.

EDIT: I'm certainly not opposed to the 8x10 adapter.

Click to expand...

I have made 2 LED heads to replace my aging Aristo 12x12 cold lights on my 8x10 modified Beseler and Omega D5500. I used NORA Lighting white LED self-adhesive tape. The total cost of the parts runs retail $5-600 but well worth it.

Thank you, Alan. That looks really good!!

There was some discussion (somewhere) of using an Artograph LED art pad as a possible enlarger light source. https://www.artograph.com/light-boxes/lightpad-series/

There are a few things to think about before using a Lightpad. These comments are based on the LightPad Pro 12x12. Power comes from a wall transformer, and the device uses touch-sensitive controls. You cannot turn it on by just supplying power. That rules out automatic control from a timer - probably best to use a red filter or card 'shutter' below the lens. For variable contrast, you need to use below lens filters or put filters above the negative. 12x12 inch above negative sheets are $20 each in the US at the moment, and the below lens filters can be too small for 200mm+ f5.6 enlarging lenses. The unit is also some 15+ inches square and is a bit big for 8x10. There are smaller units but I have not used them.

Since I have one, I tried it as a light source for my nearly complete Beseler MX 8x10 conversion (more about that another time/place). Cranked to full power on a dense 8x10 HP5+ negative it was giving me around 20s f11 at 11x14. Not excessive, but more than usable. You would probably have to settle on a single colour temperature (4600K on the 'High' setting) for calibration.

Really nice light table, and doubles as a room light

I should have mentioned that I don't care about variable contrast so a single color option is fine. I want the option of making huge mural-sized prints or smaller so an extremely bright dimmable light source is optimal.