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Help With Vintage Enlarger

jaydebruyne

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Dec 8, 2013
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150
Location
London, UK
Format
35mm
I have just inherited two enlargers. One was my father's and the other my grandfather's. I'm assuming t'll be clear which is which from the photos. I'm really really hoping my grandfather's enlarger works and is usable as it's just beautiful (I'm assuming it's vintage. Either way I think it's stunning).

Can anyone help me out regarding the technical aspects of both of these enlargers and if the lenses are good quality etc. (The Paterson lens attaches to the more modern enlarger.)

I'm new to analog photography and up to now, develop my film at home and scan the negatives. I'm yet to wet print so I'm hoping I can start by using either one of these enlargers.

Any help would be fantastic!

Cheers
Jay
 

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Hey, J. I am not familiar with those enlargers. The lenses indicate they were both used with 35mm as 50mm is a typical enlarging lens focal length for 35mm. Basics to see if they work, I suppose. Inspect what wiring you can. If it looks to be in good shape (read: no risk of self-electricution) then plug one in and see if it lights up. If not, number one culprit would probably be a bulb. This is a good source for enlarger bulbs. Next thing to do if all seems to be operating would be to put in a negative and make sure the movements work, both the main elevation on the mast for cropping and print size adjustment and also the close focus on the enlarger assembly itself.

Great luck in inheriting those. If they work they will get you on your way nicely.
 
An older Meopta (Axomat?), that seems to be missing the negative holder unless you have it in a box or something. Nice sturdy enlargers, not much to go wrong with them. A bit limited, as it only takes 35 mm negatives, but a nice start. The other one I don't recognize - maybe a Paterson of some sort - just a guess.

Here is some Meopta history: http://www.meoptahistory.com/?id=312
 
I believe the one in photos 3 and 4 is a Paterson 35, it looks like the filter drawer is missing.
 
The Opemus is a 35/6x6 enlarger. It was made by Meopta. You should be able to get a negative carrier on ebay.

The other one is a Paterson enlarger. I've never seen one before but Google image search turned up a few examples on ebay.
 
I may be wrong on the "35 mm only" with the Meopta.

I think you need to measure the size of the negative gate on the Meopta to be sure that it actully takes 6x6. The Opemus takes 4x4 and smaller, not 6x6 as factus10 says.
 
The Meopta needs a negative carrier, which you should be able to find. I've had excellent results making them from mat board, so that's also possible, and very easy to do. The bigger enlarger is one I've never seen before. Your Meopta lens is one of the budget ones, but will work just fine to get you started. It's not going to give you a very bright image for focusing though, so assuming the lens is the usual 39mm threads, a Nikkor 50 2.8 will make things easier on that end, and give you sharper prints. I paid $18 for my Nikkor lens, which is pretty amazing considering the quality. I really like that Meopta enlarger. Looks like it will be easy to get lined up and leveled.
 
I think it's the Opematus 6x6 (as per the link Jerevan supplied) http://www.meoptahistory.com/?id=312 (Opematus, is that a spelling mistake on the site? Mine has a Opemus label on the front).

I measured the negative gate and it's definitely a 6x6. I have found a company which sells the bulbs and a 35mm insert(?) - http://www.thedarkroom.co.uk/opemus-6-insert-24x36.html

Would I need both?

Question: the two 'wings' at either side of where the carrier goes, what are they used for? As I've seen them on Opemus negative carriers also.

Thanks so much for all the help, I really appreciate it.

Cheers
Jay
 
I just had a reply from the shop above regarding the Meopta:

This look s like one of the very first Opemus enlargers. Getting a negative carrier for it will be extremely difficult to give you an idea I have only seen two of this model before and I have been selling enlargers for over 45 years.

Getting a negative carrier will only be a start of you problems as you will not be able to get a lens board that will fit it.

I understand you would like to get it going however I would advise you look for a newer enlarger if you would like to give me a ring I will happily explain the problems you will have rebuilding this enlarger.

----

Bummer! Maybe I'll work on the Paterson 35 in the meantime.

I'm going to run with both hands..
 
Well, that's a pity. Also, while the lenses will work OK for small enlargements (4x6" to 6x9" should be fine) I wouldn't expect much quality from them on bigger prints. This isn't a real problem though, since you can get a good 6-element 50/2.8 (Componon, Rodagon or EL-Nikkor) for about $20 to $40 and that will be better than any film you put behind it.

Since you're in London, good enlargers should be plentiful too. I'd expect you to find a good modern (more rigid) medium format enlarger with a good lens or two for under 50 pounds. A slightly bigger, sturdier enlarger will also help with making prints from 35mm.
 
The "wings" support the strip of film, more or less, they are intended to support a full roll. Most people will cut the negative strip so that there are only 5 or 6 frames (in the case of 35 mm), so the wings don't do much in that case.

Since you have a lens mounted, you probably don't need a lens board (that is, you presumably already have one). If the lens has different threading than what is currently common, you may need some sort of generic adaptor though, if you're looking to change from what's there. If the glass is in good condition, you can start off with what you have reasonably enough, however.

Negative carriers built for other enlargers can often be adapted or you could fabricate something with materials like foam core and mat board. (or wood, or metal depending on your skills and equipment you may have available). 3d printing might also be a solution.
 
A shot in the dark would be to see if the slightly less old models has a negative holder that fits this one.
 
It's IMHO very overpriced especially considering its lack of lens, too small (35mm only) and flimsy (look at that back column - it will flex when you touch the head, which makes split-grade all but impossible). And you will need to buy new multigrade filters to use with it, so add that onto the price. By the time you're done buying filters and a lens, you will have spent probably 110 pounds for a very average enlarger, even if it is in excellent condition.

Here is a much better enlarger for a lower price though it's in the wrong country. Note that it's a dichroic enlarger - the filters are built-in and you can print both B&W and colour with it. It's more rigid, it supports medium format, and it comes with two excellent lenses. If you're even a little bit patient, you will find something that's even better value than this one close to you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Is this any good?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/photographic-enlarger-meopta-opemus-6/1041415680

Meopta Opemus 6 with Paterson 50mm 3.5 lens.
Timer.
10x8 easel.
Safe Light.
£50 for everything.

I don't mind if it only serves me for 6 months while I learn and get to grips with stuff for now. It's a good price for my budget and it has some good accessories. But I don't want to waste £50 and a 3 hour round trip to go get it.

Thanks do much for the help everyone, really appreciate it.

Jay
 
Hi. That looks like a good deal. The Meopta enlargers are fairly good, and many people use them. There was a distributor in the UK who did parts, and new enlargers up until recently and they may still do them. I can't recall the name of the company, but you should be able to get it on a google search. If you put a top quality lens on it, it could do for some time. Most good enlarger lenses for 35mm and 6x6 use a 39mm thread. They normally screw into a detachable plate on the enlarger. You get different plates for different lens thread sizes. Check the thread size on the plate before you buy another lens, or you may need to source an extra lens plate. You would also need a set of Multigrade filters. The Ilford below lens set works really well, or you can get cheaper alternative sets that fit in a drawer in the enlarger head. There are plenty of good enlargers for sale in the UK, but they are often collection only, which can be a problem if the one you like is miles away. Good luck, and I hope you get your darkroom up and running soon. Alex
 
Firstcall Photographic in UK seem to stock the Opemus 6 and 6a new at 349 pounds. Other companies offer new and used spares. Alex
 
I agree that it is a better enlarger, and the lenses are top quality, allowing you to do 35mm and 6x6. The difference, I suppose, is that the Meopta is a fixed price, whereas this is an auction with 4 days to run. It was on recently, and obviously didn't sell. What may put people off is the replacement baseboard. It should be mounted on the large white board in the picture, but has been fixed to the smaller brown board. Normally, for use on a bench or table, the large original board would be best. You could always make a replacement if necessary as the column probably bolts on. I would check this with the seller. Get him to include the original base if you can. It's probably no big deal, and if it puts others off you could end up with a bargain. It may also be worth continuing the search. I don't think things like this sell very well in the run up to Christmas. There are definitely bargains to be had. Good luck. Alex.
 
I ended up getting the Kaiser for £50! It's just a shame I'll not be here when it arrives *stomping feet petulantly*
Thanks for all your help guys, It's very much appreciated.
 
polyglot said:
Excellent! Even if it doesn't come with the original baseboard, just go to a hardware store and buy a 19mm (3/4") laminated chipboard (not MDF) panel and use that..
Click to expand...

Can't wait!

I'm going to run with both hands..
 
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