Lens Holder for Magnifax 4a

[thefizz]

I have an Magnifax 4a enlarger with colour head and one lens ring (see photo) which works fine with 80m to 105mm lenses when printing 6x6 to 6x9 negtives. However, when printing 35mm negs with a 50mm lens, I can't get proper coverage. Is there a different lens ring required for 35mm film?

 

[gorbas]

Just flip it around, for 180 degrees. Use it as in picture for 50mm and turn it around, bulging part down for 80 and 105.

 

[thefizz]

Just flip it around, for 180 degrees. Use it as in picture for 50mm and turn it around, bulging part down for 80 and 105.

Thanks, pretty sure I did that without success but will try again this evening.

 

[gorbas]

Sorry, yes, the last time I used it was exactly 30 years ago. With condenser head, it helps if you have condenser #3 for 50mm lens.
If you have colour head then you don’t need anything else!
Great enlarger! It was pleasure to use it.

 

[Hassasin]

Just to get this straight: there is NO Opemus Magnify enlarger. These are two different enlargers made by Meopta. Since you've been doing 6x9 then obviously you do have Magnifax.

Here is the manual

 

[Hassasin]

From manual it is clear 105 lens is to be mounted on the outside and 50-90 lenses on the inside of the lens mount. The latter means in the recess. From your photo of the mounting rig, that is how it would go into the lens board.

 

[thefizz]

I have mounted the 50mm lens both ways on the ring and neither will focus, it's a mystery.

 

[Hassasin]

I have mounted the 50mm lens both ways on the ring and neither will focus, it's a mystery.

Then it is a mystery. I assume the lens is fine and you used it before successfully?

 

[thefizz]

Yes lens is perfect on other enlargers. Someone who has the same enlarger just told me they have an adapter ring that is used for the 50mm lens. It pushes the lens a little further down away from the enlarger head and fucuses fine.

 

[thefizz]

To clarify, the extra adapter ring screws into the main lens ring and the lens screws into the adapter, so 39mm thread on both sides.

 

[Hassasin]

Well, this makes it sound like Meopta got it all wrong, yet this is not the case. How far off focus are you in either way of mourning the lens? Is focus problem is at any position of the head on the column ? Any chance you are trying a magnification that is no longer possible with 50 mm lens on this enlarger?

Meopta does have to additional mounting tubes (can see them in that manual), one is very long, the other somewhat shorter but still quite a bit longer than the one you have shown. Those are typically used for different purposes, but maybe that is what the other guy is talking about.

Again, Meoptas manual seem quite clear there are no other mounting rings for 50/90/105 lenses. I have not used Magnifax in decades so al of my input is just what I can now find. I do not recall having this kind of problem though. We have never used any other mounting dome but the one you seem to be showing.

Is the dome, when inverted (lens in recess( is seated properly in the lens board? Any chance it is not, mounts crooked, something obstructs it?

 

[thefizz]

Yes the dome is fitted correctly. This is the extra ring attached to the lens.

 

[gorbas]

Why do you need that extra ring? It can make all the difference.
Im sure that for 50mm lens you need to replace top condenser. It was not supplied with Magnifax 3 or 4, it was extra item.
I have around 30-40mm deep recessed Meopta lens board for their I think 30mm lens. It was not necessary for 50mm.

 

[Hassasin]

However, when printing 35mm negs with a 50mm lens, I can't get proper coverage.

Just noticed this bit: it does not sound like focusing issue, but "coverage" ??? What does this mean?

Would help to see a photo of your enlarger with lens mounted, bellows drawn etc. I see no reason to have focus issue, "coverage" is another story, but that would only be a problem if heavily cropping.

For a long time I used 80 mm lens for 35mm negatives and even with that and moderate cropping I had never run out of "coverage".