LPL 6700 help

[Rolan Shlain]

Hello!
I'm new to the forum.
I recently purchased an lpl6700 on Ebay hoping to start enlarging rather than scanning my work. There is a magic with an all analog process in my opinion.
Got the carrier, lenses, easel, loupe, gralab timer, whole 9. Power up and get a blurry image if attempting to enlarge at 8x10. Stop down and get sharper but too dark to see anything.
I bought replacement bulbs thinking that was the problem but no improvement. Am I missing something or did I buy a faulty head?

Appreciate you taking the time to read this.

 

[jimjm]

Do you have a recessed lens plate? The lens should be mounted on the recess side, so that it partially intrudes into the enlarger.
I have the older Saunders/LPL C670 Dichroic, which appears to be otherwise identical except for cosmetics. Both 50mm lenses (for 35 negs) and 75/80mm lenses (for 120) must be mounted this way, or the image will not focus correctly.

 

[Rolan Shlain]

No I don't actually. This lens plate is not recessed.

 

[markbau]

Could you post the link to the ebay ad you got it from? What is shown in the photo is not at all like any LPL I have owned. I have 2 6700s and the lens screws into a ring that is then mounted onto the bottom of the bellows by means of a thumb screw, maybe take a photo with the lens unscrewed to see what sort of mount plate you have.

 

[jimjm]

Your lens mount looks different than mine. My lens screws into the lens board, like this one, then it's secured below the bellows with a set screw.
You may have to get a copy of the user manual to get this sorted out, unless someone on the forum with the same enlarger can answer.
If all the parts are configured correctly, may be a problem with the lens.

 

[voceumana]

It looks like the enlarging lens might have an extension tube mounted on it. Take the lens off and see. Nikon offered a 15mm lens extension tube, needed for some purposes, but not for 8x10 enlargements with 50 or 80 mm lenses on this enlarger.

 

[ozphoto]

If you want a manual, try this from my DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jhzebjm7h6jzoe9/LPL_6600.pdf?dl=0
It's for the 6600 (B&W version) but could be useful.

This is for the 7700 model: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ejwsqsunnsxlqoz/LPL_7700.pdf?dl=0

I'd have a look at mine for you, but I'm currently rebuilding my darkroom and it's in storage and not easy to get to.
Feel free to PM me if you need something specific - I should be able to help you out.

 

[Rolan Shlain]

Maybe I need the extension ring for the plate?
Here are more pics

 

[Rolan Shlain]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-LPL-D6700-Dichroic-Enlarger-Head-Only-w-Fujinon-EP-Lens-/382857079526

 

[mrosenlof]

wow! you bought a head with no column or baseboard? You're brave.

In your photo of the enlarging lens, what is the focal length of that lens? And what size/format neg are you enlarging? I see another lens in a blue box in the background, what is the focal length of that lens?

Are the bellows in OK shape and do can you focus over what seems a normal range?

 

[Rolan Shlain]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/123672881298

I just reentered the hyperlink. When clicking on the previous link, it pulled up a different head. Mine came with the column and baseboard. The lens is 50mm for 35mm negs. The blue is a 100mm componon for 120. No light leaks in the bellows. Speaking of focus, can I toggle the range somehow? It has a wide range when I rack, just not what I want to see tbh. The image gets perfect focus when I shoot the head all the way down the baseboard but gets grossly out of focus at 8x10

 

[jimjm]

It appears the built-in 39mm threaded lensboard you have here is correct for this enlarger. The lens also appears standard, with no modifications I can see.
So, if you position the head halfway up the column, are you able to bring the image into focus on the baseboard at all using the focus knob? I assume you are aware that you need to refocus the image whenever you move the head up or down.

 

[MattKing]

If you want a manual, try this from my DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ejwsqsunnsxlqoz/LPL_7700.pdf?dl=0
It's for a 7700, but they basically the same model.

The 6700 has a different lens mounting system, so the manual for a 7700 may not help you.
I'd try the test that jimjim suggests.

 

[ozphoto]

The 6700 has a different lens mounting system, so the manual for a 7700 may not help you.
I'd try the test that jimjim suggests.

You're right, Matt - I got the two mixed up, I have a 6600 Manual as well. May help, may not but it could be useful:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jhzebjm7h6jzoe9/LPL_6600.pdf?dl=0

 

[LimeyKeith]

Until last year I had an LPL 6700 enlarger and would make the following observarions: The fixed lens mount is indeed a 39mm Leica thread. The standard lamp for the enlarger is a 12V 100W dichroic halogen projector lamp There are lamps of a lower much wattage available (in the UK at least) that will fit but are far to dim and useless for this purpose. Make sure that the transformer input voltage is correct for your domestic supply and the output is 12V 100W.

The brightness of the image on the baseboard depends on a) the height of the enlarger head above the baseboard; b) the maximum aperture of the enlarging lens, [for a 50mm lens f2.8 is excellent but many are f4.5 - just about useable. For MF film then f4.5 seems to be the norm] and c) the density of the negative. I also found focussing much easier if I switched off the safelight nearest to the enlarger and had a pristine sheet of white paper on the easel.

If your enlarger meets all the above criteria and you still can't focus a 35mm/120 neg image at virtually any head height then I think you have problems with your lens.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ian C]

Although this is not the D6700, it might be close enough for your purpose.

Here is the LPL C6700 manual. This is for the US/Canada models with 120-volt 60 Hz current supply.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/lpl/LPL C6700.PDF

Note: This color head was made in two versions. One has an external 120-volt to 12-volt step-down transformer power supply and uses a 12-volt quartz halogen lamp. This is the version shown in the manual.

The other version of the color head has a solid-state power supply built into the head (no external power supply) and requires an 82-volt quartz-halogen lamp. This is the model I have. It is equipped with the 82-volt 85-watt ESJ lamp. The power supply and lamps are the only differences between the two versions of the C6700 head so far as I know.

The reason that you can’t focus is that the lens is not at the correct distance from the negative. By turning the focusing knob 12 in the diagram you should be able to position the lens the correct distance from the lens to focus.

Since the LPL C6700 has no provision for a cooling fan, it’s important that you don’t try to install a higher-wattage lamp into the head. Depending on the particular model of 50 mm lens in use, it’s flange mount surface needs to be about 50 mm or somewhat less from the film plane to obtain focus for an 8” x 10” print. I based this on a 50/2.8N EL Nikkor at 9.07X. Other lens models will require a similar flange-to-negative distance at that magnification.

 

[Rolan Shlain]

Until last year I had an LPL 6700 enlarger and would make the following observarions: The fixed lens mount is indeed a 39mm Leica thread. The standard lamp for the enlarger is a 12V 100W dichroic halogen projector lamp There are lamps of a lower much wattage available (in the UK at least) that will fit but are far to dim and useless for this purpose. Make sure that the transformer input voltage is correct for your domestic supply and the output is 12V 100W.

The brightness of the image on the baseboard depends on a) the height of the enlarger head above the baseboard; b) the maximum aperture of the enlarging lens, [for a 50mm lens f2.8 is excellent but many are f4.5 - just about useable. For MF film then f4.5 seems to be the norm] and c) the density of the negative. I also found focussing much easier if I switched off the safelight nearest to the enlarger and had a pristine sheet of white paper on the easel.

If your enlarger meets all the above criteria and you still can't focus a 35mm/120 neg image at virtually any head height then I think you have problems with your lens.

Hope this helps.

You nailed it! I changed the lens to the 100mm componon and poof, there was a sharp bright image with the head raised all the way up. I cant believe it could've been the lens. Doesnt seem to have any imperfections looking at it. Must be fogged up. I'll use the 100mm for now until I find a good 50mm, maybe get an APO this time.
I really appreciate everyone's responses. I dont post much on forums and am truly appreciative of the support here. Will definitely be posting again.
Thanks!

 

[voceumana]

You can try using the lens as a magnifier to test it on a very basic level. A dropped lens can have move an element out of position and cause problems.

 

[Rolan Shlain]

You can try using the lens as a magnifier to test it on a very basic level. A dropped lens can have move an element out of position and cause problems.

Good idea.