is this a good buy for a newbie

[jaimeb82]

first of all, I never made a print in my life. I am trying to find an Omega D-2V because I see people speak very well of this enlarger. But, how about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-D5-XL-Super-Chromega-Dichroic-Enlarger_W0QQitemZ170292712010QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item170292712010&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

is it a good buy for a newbie like me. Oh, I will be printing 35mm, Mamiya 6x7 and Mamiya 6x9 also.

 

[edtbjon]

I take it you will print black&white prints. In that case this enlarger is overkill, as it got an advanced color head. Don't worry though, there are plenty of enlargers to be found for very little money.

//Björn

 

[Lee L]

It's not overkill. It's an excellent enlarger that will allow you to print on variable contrast B&W paper using the color head to dial in exactly the contrast that you need. It's also an excellent diffused light source that tends to mask dust and scratches on the negative when printing. At $100 it's also a bargain, if it stays at that point. It's still a good buy and at the going market price up to around $200-$300. The D5XL also has a long column (XL) for large prints, and accessories and parts for the D5XL are among the most commonly found used enlarger parts. It's also still in production with new parts available.

It's good for a newbie, good for a pro, and good for a lifetime if you don't go above 4x5 format.

Lee

 

[nemo999]

first of all, I never made a print in my life. I am trying to find an Omega D-2V because I see people speak very well of this enlarger. But, how about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Omega-D5-XL-Super-Chromega-Dichroic-Enlarger_W0QQitemZ170292712010QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item170292712010&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

is it a good buy for a newbie like me. Oh, I will be printing 35mm, Mamiya 6x7 and Mamiya 6x9 also.

A color head is useful for multigrade printing - as this enlarger is for pick-up only, there will probably be few bids. This is a 4x5" enlarger and will thus be bulkier than one for up to 6x9 - also, it might be costly to buy the appropriate negative holders separately if they are not included.

 

[Uhner]

I’m with Lee, that is a good enlarger for anyone.

 

[Claire Senft]

Save another $200.00 for a couple of first class lenses. If the enlarger is in good condition you will be set for a long time and a lot of processes.

 

[Neal]

Dear jaimeb82,

You will love it. Perfect for both b&w and color.

Neal Wydra

 

[RJS]

I would be wary of a machine used in a commercial lab. While Omega D5 is an excellent machine, nothing lasts forever, and the 'description' sounds canned, generic, copied out of a catalog. Not of the the specific machine being offered.

 

[fschifano]

It is definitely NOT overkill. I have a D4, the predecessor to this enlarger, and mine has seen heavy use. It works perfectly. I hope you were the winner of the auction.