Help wanted to align De Vere 504 in Melbourne Australia, will pay in beer!

But seriously, if there's anyone near Melbourne who 'd like to loan me a Versalab...............

I have aligned it!!

All by sight & a little help from a cheap spirit level.

Only problem that remains is with frames on the tail ends of a film strip. As I ended up filing out the 35mm mask the tail ends curl more than they did before. As opposed to a frame from the middle of a strip, it's as flat as a tack, very pleasing to the eye. So, obviously only glass masks will fix that end curl... either one glass with the 35mm mask, or both glass top & bottom (which I'd hope to avoid, this being a condenser head). I've ordered both plain & AN glass masks (plus a screw-in red filter, which this enlarger never had) from KHB Photographix, so once they arrive this enlarger should be good to go, I even doubt a Versalab Parallel would get it any better than I've got it now, though I'm still curious to try one

You can overcome the curl at the end of a strip of negs, without resorting to a glass carrier, by applying strips of adhesive tape to the remaining rebate, in effect extending the film and allowing the tape to be trapped by the carrier.
Obviously, it's fiddly and has to be done very carefully, both on top and beneath the film, so as not to leave any adhesive exposed. And, I hope it goes without saying, don't stick tape over any part of the image!

Jerry from Brighton......... (the Home of the De Vere!)....... thank you!!

Works really well.

I have to admit, I probably filed out this carrier just a little more than necessary. KHB do custom masks too, not at all cheap, but good to know they can be had.

gamincurieux said:

Thanks Maris. I'm aware of the method, and I do use it when on the rare occasion & for whatever reason (flare or even fogging outside the frame) I can't get the natural black edge black enough.

But, I never crop, I always print full-frame & shoot with that in mind, with the natural black edge showing that, and an unfiled/unadulterated 35mm mask always encroaches a little into the frame in any case, even if only 1/2 a mm or however much...... so, I guess I'm gonna be filing til my arm hurts

Click to expand...

About an 'unfiled/unadulterated 35mm mask always encroaches a little into the frame in any case, even if only 1/2 a mm or however much'..... I should add that there's even a difference in frame size from a Nikon to a Leica, so when printing from a series of images shot on both kinds of cameras there's even more frustration as a standard mask can cut even more off the edges. Had no choice but take a file to it!

Thanks to the $A doing well I bit the bullet and ordered a Versalab Parallel. Once I'm done with it I will be happy to lend it out locally, YOU can pay ME in beer!!