Magnifax 3a Enlarger, whats this?

[awty]

Hi bought one of these, which looks complete, but the instructions are in Czech and I have no prior knowledge of using an enlarger, so would appreciate any help in identifying these components and any advise in using. Has 3x lens 50, 80, 105.
BTW I did look for an English manual and did a lot of googling for little help.


1.It has 2x slots in the head unit, one is about 3" and is on the top right side and the other about 6" and on the front above the film. I assume one is for contrast filters or are they both or whats what?

large one

Small one


2. I have 2x film holders. Not sure where to use either.

a. This one has 2x glass panels, one clear, one frosted. It comes with a 6x6 and a 35x28 mask, but would need to remove the glass to fit either. Also has an adjustable mask with sliders. I have 6x7 and 35mm b&w film. What do I use?








b.What are these slidey things for? Dont seem to do anything.



c. Second film holder. Is a loose fit in the slot has no masks that I can see. Has an adjustable knob that may be for other size film, could be for 6x9? have no idea. In the book it shows an extra panel which I dont have.





3. b&w head
Should I be using this instead of the colour head for b&w? I have no contrast filters.





4.
This timer doesnt seem to work. there was a bit of dodgy wiring to accept the euro plug which tripped the power. I have fixed the wiring, but it doesnt seem to tic or move. Light comes on, will power enlarger lamp.
I have another old timer but it doesn't keep accurate time.



Sorry if these are dumb question, please just ignore if they are beneath you.

 

[Ron789]

The Magnifax is a good enlarger. Like all Meopta products, down-to-earth, simple but reliable. I'm a bit puzzled by the configuration of yours. Here are just a few thoughts...

Remove the color head and probably also the upper filter housing, retain the lower filter housing and the condensors contained in there, mount the B&W head, get some contrast filters.

The negative carrier can be used in 2 ways (I think):
1. Anti-Newton glass above the negative, clear glass below.
2. Anti-newton glass above the negative, glassless negative mask (either 24x36 or 6x6 or 6x9) below.

Those slidey things position the film in the center of the negative mask: up for 120 film, down for 135 film.

The other carrier is for using the enlarger as a repro camera.... you'll probably never use it.

The timer you have is a very simple one. If it's broken, don't spend any time or money on it but get a better timer.

Good luck with this machine! As said, it is simple but good!

 

[awty]

The Magnifax is a good enlarger. Like all Meopta products, down-to-earth, simple but reliable. I'm a bit puzzled by the configuration of yours. Here are just a few thoughts...

Remove the color head and probably also the upper filter housing, retain the lower filter housing and the condensors contained in there, mount the B&W head, get some contrast filters.

The negative carrier can be used in 2 ways (I think):
1. Anti-Newton glass above the negative, clear glass below.
2. Anti-newton glass above the negative, glassless negative mask (either 24x36 or 6x6 or 6x9) below.

Those slidey things position the film in the center of the negative mask: up for 120 film, down for 135 film.

The other carrier is for using the enlarger as a repro camera.... you'll probably never use it.

The timer you have is a very simple one. If it's broken, don't spend any time or money on it but get a better timer.

Good luck with this machine! As said, it is simple but good!

Thanks Ron.
I cant fit the Anti Newton glass and the masks, so its either masks no glass or use the adjustable mask and glass. Which would be better?
I will need to order some contrast filters, mean while can I use the colour head to add contrasts?

 

[Ron789]

Hi Paul,
Masks no glass works fine for 24x36 but with larger formats you will most likely run into issues with (un)sharpness due to negative curve. So for larger formats I'd recommend using glass.
Try the color head and see how it works. There are always battles on what is best.... :
Color head pluses and minuses: + convenience + less dust due to diffuse light - less light - more heat - expensive bulbs - less detail definition and contrast - exposure time changes with every change of filtering - color head is large and heavy
B&W head + condensor + filters pluses and minuses: + best detail definition and contrast + lots of light= easy focusing and shorter exposure times + same exposure times regardless of contrast filter; only one step, one stop, going to 4 and above + simple, less weight - less convenient - more sensitive to dust = more retouche

I once had the MEOPTA color head and did not like it very much. But just try it and see how it works out for you.
Good luck! Ron

 

[awty]

Hi Paul,
Masks no glass works fine for 24x36 but with larger formats you will most likely run into issues with (un)sharpness due to negative curve. So for larger formats I'd recommend using glass.
Try the color head and see how it works. There are always battles on what is best.... :
Color head pluses and minuses: + convenience + less dust due to diffuse light - less light - more heat - expensive bulbs - less detail definition and contrast - exposure time changes with every change of filtering - color head is large and heavy
B&W head + condensor + filters pluses and minuses: + best detail definition and contrast + lots of light= easy focusing and shorter exposure times + same exposure times regardless of contrast filter; only one step, one stop, going to 4 and above + simple, less weight - less convenient - more sensitive to dust = more retouche

I once had the MEOPTA color head and did not like it very much. But just try it and see how it works out for you.
Good luck! Ron

Thank you very much Ron. You are a great help.

 

[PittP]

Awty, your instructions are in German. https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142483?hl=en does a reasonable job in converting to English.
Good luck!

 

[davidmasek]

As to your first question, the bigger drawer is for multigrade filters, smaller one is for a sort of extra condensor. You could find these two links useful:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030625144020/http://www.meopta.co.uk/magnifaxmanual.html It is for Magnifax 4, newer but similar enlarger from meopta.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2010628932591755.pdf here you can find settings for a meopta head for different grades, good as a starting point, I guess.
It is a good enlarger for sure.

 

[awty]

Awty, your instructions are in German. https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142483?hl=en does a reasonable job in converting to English.
Good luck!

Thanks. I thought of that, but Im such a slow typer it would take me a week to transcribe and the google translate often doesn't make much sense. Think I have enough info I can at least get a start.

As to your first question, the bigger drawer is for multigrade filters, smaller one is for a sort of extra condensor. You could find these two links useful:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030625144020/http://www.meopta.co.uk/magnifaxmanual.html It is for Magnifax 4, newer but similar enlarger from meopta.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2010628932591755.pdf here you can find settings for a meopta head for different grades, good as a starting point, I guess.
It is a good enlarger for sure.

Thank you David, that is very helpful. Just waiting for some photo paper to turn up and I can have a try.