Help with enlarger

threplogle · May 5, 2016

Hello all, I am hoping someone can help me identify the model of enlarger in the attached files. It says it's an Omega Universal Pro-Lab 4x5 but I can't seem to find any info on it. I find information regarding the D series enlargers but nothing on this particular one. I'm obviously new to this and appreciate any and all help. Thanks, Tom

MattKing · May 6, 2016

Probably an Omega DV lamphouse: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Condenser/DV.htm

on a D5 (not D5XL) chassis: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm

As you will gather from the above, the reference to "Omega Universal Pro-Lab 4x5" is a reference to the head alone.

Can we see a photo of the other side of the chassis?

threplogle · May 6, 2016

Thank you! Here's the other side:

MattKing said:
Probably an Omega DV lamphouse: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Condenser/DV.htm

on a D5 (not D5XL) chassis: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm

As you will gather from the above, the reference to "Omega Universal Pro-Lab 4x5" is a reference to the head alone.

Can we see a photo of the other side of the chassis?[/

Rick A · May 6, 2016

I have one sitting in my DR and it's a work horse. What would you like to know? It accepts all D series parts, does NOT require spacing cones for different focal length lenses, should have a fixed set of condensers plus a variable condenser in the upper head. If the condensers are missing, I have an extra full set, plus I have an extra three lens mounting turret. It uses 6x6 inch VC filters, I have a couple extra sets of those as well.

ic-racer · May 6, 2016

Buy it! I think it is the Super D6 Pro-Lab which was a premium version of the D5.

MattKing · May 6, 2016

ic-racer said:
Buy it! I think it is the Super D6 Pro-Lab which was a premium version of the D5.

I don't think so, because it doesn't have the fine focusing module, and I believe all the D6 enlargers have that module. But it is an excellent enlarger.

The last photo you posted hints at there being a name and information plate on the back of the large black support girder, near the top. What does it say?

I have the older version of the D6, but the KHB information on it talks about the newer D6 as well: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D6.htm

By the way, in case you haven't already realized it, the KHB Photografix website is a treasure trove of information: http://www.khbphotografix.com/

ic-racer · May 6, 2016

Yes, maybe it is a gray D5, like on the cover of the D5 manual. If a D6 it might have this plate below. Either way, it looks like a fantastic enlarger if it is in good shape.

mwdake · May 6, 2016

Looks like a D5 to me.
I have several of these and the labels seem to vary.
One I have has a D-5 label on the cross brace like in the picture above, another in which I cannot find a label and another in which there was no label until I found it had fell off and was sitting in the hollow of the base mount. Also colors of various chassis parts seem to vary.
Either way just about all the later D variants function and work in the same manner and most parts or accessories are interchangeable.
You can't go wrong with one of these enlargers as long as it is not terribly abused.

threplogle · May 7, 2016

Thanks everyone! I did buy it and it is on its way! I'll be enlarging 6x6, 6x7, and 4x5 negatives, which lens(es) would you recommend?

threplogle · May 7, 2016

Thanks Rick! Once it arrives I'll post some more pics of it and see what it's missing. The guy I bought it off of says it works great so I'm assuming everything is intact. Do you know where I can find a manual for it?

Rick A said:
I have one sitting in my DR and it's a work horse. What would you like to know? It accepts all D series parts, does NOT require spacing cones for different focal length lenses, should have a fixed set of condensers plus a variable condenser in the upper head. If the condensers are missing, I have an extra full set, plus I have an extra three lens mounting turret. It uses 6x6 inch VC filters, I have a couple extra sets of those as well.[/QUOTE

fpoint · May 7, 2016

Hi,
A good way of determining what focal length lens to use on what film format is to measure, in millimeters, corner to corner of a frame of film. The result is the shortest lens that will cover that format. I usually use the next longer lens to ensure even coverage.
Schnieder, Nikon, are two good lenses but you'll find that through the years any lens manufacturer will their ups and downs in quality.
FYI, I used to repair the entire Omega line of enlargers. Any questions please feel free to ask.

Mike Sparks
Focal Point

MattKing · May 7, 2016

threplogle said:
Thanks everyone! I did buy it and it is on its way! I'll be enlarging 6x6, 6x7, and 4x5 negatives, which lens(es) would you recommend?

An 80mm that covers 6x7 as well as 6x4.5 (Rodagon - S?), a 105mm and a 150mm. You can get by without the 105mm.

threplogle said:
Thanks Rick! Once it arrives I'll post some more pics of it and see what it's missing. The guy I bought it off of says it works great so I'm assuming everything is intact. Do you know where I can find a manual for it?

KHB is your friend - and prices are in CDN dollars: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Manuals.htm

threplogle · May 22, 2016

Thanks again everyone for replying to this post. It is indeed a D5 and is in pretty good shape from what I can tell. The one issue that I have found is that one of the rivets that secure the handle has popped making it impossible to lift the head one handed. I was planning on removing the rivet and just using a bolt and nut to secure it unless anyone else has a better idea? Also, does anyone know what lens board fits the el-nikkor 150mm lens? I bought one off of eBay that said it was for 150mm lenses but it was too small.

mwdake · May 22, 2016

Also, does anyone know what lens board fits the el-nikkor 150mm lens? I bought one off of eBay that said it was for 150mm lenses but it was too small.

I assume you are using the turret lens mount and not the individual mounts.
I believe you need the 421-133 lens mount, most likely you ended up getting a 421-132 which is for 39mm threaded lenses whereas the 150 Nikkor is almost certainly 50mm threaded.

Ian C · May 22, 2016

The required mount depends on the particular version of 150/5.6 EL Nikkor in use.

The first version of the 150/5.6 EL Nikkor (with the finger notches machined into the aperture ring) has 53mm diameter x 0.75mm pitch thread. It requires the 421-915 Special Lens Plate for 150mm EL Nikkor lens. This has the correct 53mm thread.

The later 150/5.6A EL Nikkor (no finger notches on the aperture ring) has 39mm Leica thread.

MattKing · May 22, 2016

threplogle said:
Also, does anyone know what lens board fits the el-nikkor 150mm lens? I bought one off of eBay that said it was for 150mm lenses but it was too small.

KHB is your friend again (I should get a commission): http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/LensMountD5.htm

mwdake · May 22, 2016

Ian C is correct.
I checked my 150mm EL Nikkor now that I remember where I put it and it has a 39mm thread. It is my 150mm Rodagon that has a 50mm thread.
So, as Ian points out you probably have the older style 150mm EL Nikkor with the 53mm thread; sorry for the confusion.

threplogle · May 23, 2016

MattKing said:
KHB is your friend again (I should get a commission): http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/LensMountD5.htm

Yes it is! Thanks for the link!!

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