Just bought an Omega B22

[MolBasser]

So I found on Craig's list an Omega B22 with a bunch of color filters and safe lights and foot switch and other sundries for 75 bucks.

I just brought it home.

It is in pretty dang good shape, but the condenser lens is a bit catywhompus but I'm sure that is an easy fix.

I think I got a good deal.

Soon to be printing B/W photos!

MolBasser

 

[MolBasser]

It also came with a computer timer thingy, so you can program in how long you want it to be lit. I can't wait to get it cleaned up and ready to go.

MolBasser

 

[John Koehrer]

B22 was my first.... along time ago. It's basic & simple just what you need to start with.

 

[Rick A]

Ya cant go wrong with a B-22, it uses c-700 accessories and all the parts are still around. The condensors probably just need to be taken out, cleaned, then should go back into place easily. You should have many good years ahead of you with that machine, they are simple, and well made.
Congrats on the purchase.

Rick

 

[MolBasser]

Just downloaded the manual for it, and I am getting started in cleaning it up. I now have a lot of other stuff to buy for my darkroom, but I can feel the love of it beginning already with the enlarger.

MolBasser

 

[David Brown]

It also came with a computer timer thingy, ...

Gotta love the technical terms.

 

[MolBasser]

LOL! OK.

It is a Creative Photronics Touch Timer CP900.

Is that better?

I just took apart the condenser head and it was totally incorrectly configured by the last owner but had the right condesers. Two main and one supplimental for 35mm. The condensers are in decent, but not great condition. A few minor scratches but should work fine.

MolBasser

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Condensers ar soft glass. Treat them as an uncoated lens.

 

[Jim Jones]

I miss my B-22 that was lost in a darkroom fire. Later Omegas are less apt to get out of alignment, and may run cooler, but the B-22 has character. Since alignment can be adjusted, it can also get out of alignment. Check to see if all corners of a print are critically sharp at large apertures. The heart of an elnarger is the lens. Some Omega lenses are mediocre. If your images aren't tack sharp with the lens stopped down a stop or two, look for a replacement. The price of top quality lenses is low; no one should settle for less.

 

[MolBasser]

Everything is clean and ready to go, however as pointed out in the last post, the alignment is a bit off. It projects the image slightly to the left on the easel and thus when one side of the image is sharp, the other is out of focus.

What is the best procedure to align the enlarger?

MolBasser

 

[Chris Johnson]

What is the best procedure to align the enlarger?
go to:
http://www.classic-enlargers.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl
Harry is very helpful, there is even a phone number where you can call him.
congratulations, I have several Omega enlargers, they are capable of surviving almost anything
except a direct hit by a nuclear weapon.

 

[teepoe]

thanks for the set-up link, chris!