Kodak Precision Enlarger condenser confusion

I am just about finished collecting up what I need to put together a darkroom, but my recently acquired enlarger has me a bit confused. It came with a condenser #4 listed as best for 2-1/4x2-1/2 and and 2-1/4x3-1/4. There are also 2 more condenser listed in the old catalog for smaller negatives. What happens if you use a condenser meant for a larger negative on something smaller like 35mm? Adding to the confusion are condensers on eBay not saying if they are a 2, 3, or 4 like mine and just saying it is a universal condenser for a Kodak Precision Enlarger A and working with all lenses.

A condenser that covers a larger negative will cover a smaller negative, only impact is printing times will be slower. In terms what you might see on Ebay, unless the seller knows for sure what condenser matches what lens I don't know if you tell by the picture what format any given condenser will cover or for that matter if the condenser really if for a precision enlarger or what model. The seller may not have any idea other then it fits a kodak, maybe the metal frame has a part number.

A copy of the manual can be found here or just Google

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PDH said:

A condenser that covers a larger negative will cover a smaller negative, only impact is printing times will be slower. In terms what you might see on Ebay, unless the seller knows for sure what condenser matches what lens I don't know if you tell by the picture what format any given condenser will cover or for that matter if the condenser really if for a precision enlarger or what model. The seller may not have any idea other then it fits a kodak, maybe the metal frame has a part number.

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Thanks for the reply. I thought it might just increase printing times, but wanted to be sure. I went by the big label Kodak sticks on these condenser assemblies identifying what they are and the original manual describing the 3 available condensers but not a universal. I finally found on Google a June '46 Popular Photography article about them updating from the 3 separate condensers to a single universal one with different white optical glass. I also now know mine is older than the 1946 models.

Printing with what are vintage if not antique enlargers has it's own charm. I print with a Omega D3 and a Federal Stowaway from the 40s, it is diffusion enlarger with a 2 element lens that uses water stops for aperture control, capable of creamy soft prints, needs the right negative. Over the years I found that Kodak enlarging lens to be of good quality, the enlarging Ektar's better than the others. To use VC paper you need to find a set of under the lens polycontrast filters, or you can cut an Ilford filters to fit between the lens and condenser, but you need to take the lamp housing off to change filters.

I used to use one of these, and still have it ( although I replaced it several yers ago with an Omega B8, which I like much better). My enlarger came with the universal condenser, which I assumed was the same as the one intended for 2-1/4 X 3-1/4 and a 4" lens. I added the condensers for 2" and 3" lenses when I found them cheap on eBay. They didn't make much difference. BTW the glass on both the 2 and 3 inch condensers I have is rather greenish in color.