Just got a D2 Enlarger!

[kfed1984]

speaking of enlargers, I just got an Omega D2 today, which can take 4x5 negs for $300 CAD. I thought this was a great deal, so I took it without thinking. Here at Downtown Camera in Toronto. The condenser is a lot more beefy than my Besseler 23.

Although the lens is not for 4x5 and still needs a 4x5 carrier.

I think it's a D2

 

[kfed1984]

seems to be providing a better light distribution than by Besseler 23 for a 6x45 neg. Not sure why it was sold "as is"

 

[Don Heisz]

@kfed1984 did it come with the correct condenser for 4x5? The lens should be as big as the condenser holder (around 6 inches in diameter).

You can make a 4x5 holder out of cardboard while you wait to buy one. Of course, you can't make a lens out of cardboard....

 

[kfed1984]

Yes it has 3 of these lenses just over 6 inches.

 

[kfed1984]

What kind of an enlarger lens would I need for 4x5? It came with a tiny lens, I think for 35mm.

 

[Don Heisz]

50mm is normal for 35mm. 80 is normal for 6x6. 135-150 is normal for 4x5. You need a cone to move the enlarging lens for 4x5 farther away from the film. Looks like:

(that one is over 4 inches - there are shorter ones that will be fine for the 135mm lens)

 

[kfed1984]

50mm is normal for 35mm. 80 is normal for 6x6. 135-150 is normal for 4x5. You need a cone to move the enlarging lens for 4x5 farther away from the film. Looks like:

View attachment 331483

(that one is over 4 inches - there are shorter ones that will be fine for the 135mm lens)

Why is this extension needed for 135mm? The focus bellows extend more than this.

 

[MattKing]

I opened this thread to move the D2 posts to.

 

[Don Heisz]

Why is this extension needed for 135mm? The focus bellows extend more than this.

You may or may not be able to focus without the cone, depending on what size enlargement you're trying to make.

 

[ic-racer]

That is very nice. Looks brand new.

 

[peoplemerge]

Pretty sure the cone would be for 4x5 size lenses. 35mm lens is much closer to the film plane. I haven’t used the cones because later Omega D have a larger bellows instead.

 

[Paul Howell]

There were 2 condenser heads for the D2, the standard condenser head needed swap out the condenser, the variable condenser head had an adjustable condenser, The door swing up and the top condenser can be moved for 50 to 80mm, middle position for 100 to 135 lens and removed for 150 and longer. Your top photo shows a D2 with the variable head the bottom is a ad for the model with the standard head. The flat lens board is for 50mm to 80mm, then a somewhat longer for 90 to 105 and a longer for 135, even longer 150 and longer. KHB has extensive parts for the D2. Here is a link to the manual.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/D2%20Condenser%20and%20Dichro.pdf

 

[Don Heisz]

The door swing up and the top condenser can be moved for 50 to 80mm, middle position for 100 to 135 lens and removed for 150 and longer.

Then I wonder if @kfed1984 has the top condenser? Anyway, Paul, that's good info for me, since I didn't know that condenser should be in for a 135mm (I almost always have a 150mm on it).

Pretty sure the cone would be for 4x5 size lenses. 35mm lens is much closer to the film plane.

Yes, the cone is needed to use a 135mm lens for 4x5.

 

[Pieter12]

The OP photo shows the variable condenser head. If it is like the variable condenser for the D5, no condenser is needed for 4x5. A 150mm lens is, though, and of course a 4x5 (preferrably glass) carrier.

 

[Don Heisz]

I just dug out my variable condenser and put it in the slot for 135 (since I have a 135mm lens on the enlarger right now) and I can't see anything that it's doing. I assume it should impact the brightness in the corners - that that is where it would be apparent - but I can't see any difference whether it's in or not.

 

[kfed1984]

The OP photo shows the variable condenser head. If it is like the variable condenser for the D5, no condenser is needed for 4x5. A 150mm lens is, though, and of course a 4x5 (preferrably glass) carrier.

View attachment 331550

yes, noted the condenser placement inside. Is there a filter tray for Omega D and would you place it in one of these spots?

 

[kfed1984]

I just dug out my variable condenser and put it in the slot for 135 (since I have a 135mm lens on the enlarger right now) and I can't see anything that it's doing. I assume it should impact the brightness in the corners - that that is where it would be apparent - but I can't see any difference whether it's in or not.

any recommendations for 135mm lens or something else for 4x5?

My Besseler 23 enlarger has an M39 leica lens thread, not sure if there's an adapter for the Omega system. Omega seems to have a different lens board philosophy from Besseler.


This is the lens/board it came with. Just noticed it says Omega B on the price tag, maybe that's why it was mispriced, as this is Omega D.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a 135mm that will cover 4X5, but prefer either a 150 or my Wollensake 162, 150s are the most common. The D series can use a number of different boards with different size plates, it is the smaller plate that is attached to the lens board. I have different plates for many different size lens. 39mm is common.

 

[MattKing]

The D2 and the B8 use some of the same lens disks, so that should be fine.
And as you probably understand, the lenses mount to the disks - which vary depending on the thread requirements of various lenses - and the disks mount to the cones or flat plates or recessed mounts - which are customized to the focal lengths of the lenses.
39mm threads are common, but not universal, amongst enlarging lenses.

 

[kfed1984]

The light distribution is very even, probably due to more complex diffuser design. My Besseler 23 has a weird little dark spot in the middle, maybe because of the smaller bulb. Also the light is not uniform on besseler, even when playing around with the bellows.

So this will be a perfect light source for contact prints.

 

[kfed1984]

any recommendations for 4x5negative carriers? I think it should be a glass carrier for 4x5.

found another manual with accessories:

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Omega_DII_%20Cat.pdf

I think an older model

 

[kfed1984]

Here is a link to the manual.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/D2%20Condenser%20and%20Dichro.pdf

thanks for the manual

 

[mwdake]

any recommendations for 4x5negative carriers? I think it should be a glass carrier for 4x5.

found another manual with accessories:

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Omega_DII_%20Cat.pdf

I think an older model

You can both glass and regular as well as a hinged glass type carrier.
Here’s a link to all the carriers etc for your enlarger.

The Omega Enlarger Guide: Omega D-2 Enlarger page

Information on the Simmon Omega D-2 4x5 enlarger

www.khbphotografix.com

The carriers are pretty easy to find on eBay.

 

[kfed1984]

I have a 135mm that will cover 4X5, but prefer either a 150 or my Wollensake 162, 150s are the most common. The D series can use a number of different boards with different size plates, it is the smaller plate that is attached to the lens board. I have different plates for many different size lens. 39mm is common.

is this a good one:

most of these enlarger lenses are quite cheap.

Wollensak 135mm F/4.5 Enlarging Raptar Lens | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Wollensak 135mm F/4.5 Enlarging Raptar Lens at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Wollensak 135mm f/4.5 Raptar Darkroom Photo Printing Enlarging Lens 40mm screw | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Wollensak 135mm f/4.5 Raptar Darkroom Photo Printing Enlarging Lens 40mm screw at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Wollensak 162mm f/4.5 Raptar Enlarger Lens w/Lens Board 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Wollensak 162mm f/4.5 Raptar Enlarger Lens w/Lens Board 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Pieter12]

yes, noted the condenser placement inside. Is there a filter tray for Omega D and would you place it in one of these spots?
View attachment 331560

The filter just slips in, either sitting at the bottom of the housing or on top of the variable condenser. A sheet of heat-absorbing glass would sit in there, too. I highly recommend it, especially if you are not using a glass negative carrier.