Meopta enlargers

[nikkormat]

Hi all.

In my country, Meopta enlargers are widely and cheaply available second hand. I am, over time, putting together the necessary equipment for a home darkroom.

My question is this: aside from being able to print 6x6cm, would there be any benefit to buying an Opemus enlarger rather than an Axomat? Do they have any advantages over the Axomat series, aside from being able to handle medium format?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Paul Howell]

I have the Axomat mine is a 5 and will print 35mm to 6X6, what I like is the built in rangefinder used to focus. All I do is pull the negative carrier out part way, a line will appear, I focus until the lines are joined. I find it very accurate. The down side is when printing 25mm is there is no condenser just for 35mm, printing times can be longhish. There might a 35mm condenser that was imported to the U.S.

 

[Nopo]

I have the Opemus 5, as Paul says both can do 6x6, the main difference is that opemus has a color head with built in filters for contrast management, for the axomat you have to buy them separately, another difference is that axomat is with condenser head and opemus is diffusion.



Carlos

 

[petrk]

... opemus has a color head with built in filters for contrast management, for the axomat you have to buy them separately, another difference is that axomat is with condenser head and opemus is diffusion.

Carlos

Hi Carlos,
the color head was optional (Edit: they have been sold in two different sets) for Opemus line too, so not all have it, as you can see in auction sites, you are lucky to have one. All "modern" Meopta enlargers have a condenser. The Axomat has a simple condenser, the Opemus has a two elements. I had both enlargers and I am not aware of any significant advantage of Opemus for somene who does only 35mm. Axomat is for 35 mm only and was superb. I strugled with light intensity and long exposure times with the Opemus. But they are cheap, if anyone has a space, keep both.

 

[Nopo]

Hi Carlos,
the color head was optional (Edit: they have been sold in two different sets) for Opemus line too, so not all have it, as you can see in auction sites, you are lucky to have one. All "modern" Meopta enlargers have a condenser. The Axomat has a simple condenser, the Opemus has a two elements. I had both enlargers and I am not aware of any significant advantage of Opemus for somene who does only 35mm. Axomat is for 35 mm only and was superb. I strugled with light intensity and long exposure times with the Opemus. But they are cheap, if anyone has a space, keep both.

I was unaware that the color head was difficult to obtain. I only made the difference as requested by the OP, at no time did I state which one is better, if it was understood otherwise it was not my intention, because each system has its advantages and disadvantages according to the workflow you have. By the way I have both type of enlarger, although different brand.
Regards


Carlos

 

[Paul Howell]

I bought my Axomat as a kit, it has diffusion element that can replace the condenser, I have not used so dont know how well it works.

 

[petrk]

I bought my Axomat as a kit, it has diffusion element that can replace the condenser, I have not used so dont know how well it works.

OK, I can be wrong, what I remeber, my Axomat had a diffusion element too, I used it to soften the light. But in my case it had to be put over the condenser.

 

[ruilourosa]

Structure is the same up to opemus 7 on the dark grey squarish last series. Magnifaxes are sturdier...
Good enlargers, simple, sturdy and modular...
Buy a meopta and Invest on a good lens!!

Pro level dursts devere or kienzle are much better but they do not make better images...

 

[Anon Ymous]

OK, I can be wrong, what I remeber, my Axomat had a diffusion element too, I used it to soften the light. But in my case it had to be put over the condenser.

Perhaps something like frosted glass? The Opemus has something like this and it is placed in the filter drawer.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a Meopar 50mm 4.5, a 5 element lens, it is a pretty good lens, just a bit slow. Meopta made a wide range of lens from 3 element to 6 elements I would give the low end 3 elements a pass the others are keepers.

​

 

[petrk]

Perhaps something like frosted glass? The Opemus has something like this and it is placed in the filter drawer.

Yes, only a frosted glass in a rounded metal frame with locks. One has to remove the light head and place it over the condensor.

 

[ruilourosa]

Meogons are on a par with the best 6 element el lenses
Anarets are also very good up to 10x...

 

[Paul Howell]

Yes, only a frosted glass in a rounded metal frame with locks. One has to remove the light head and place it over the condensor.

I had to double check, I have not used mine, and yes, fits over the condenser. How well does it work?

 

[petrk]

It lowers a contrast of the fix grade paper a little, about half of a step to the softer grade. But it significantly reduces an intensity of the light too.

I had to double check, I have used mine, and yes, fits over the condenser. How well does it work?

 

[Sanug]

As far as I know, the Opemus 6 has a larger base plate and a longer pole. You may be able to make bigger prints with the Opemus compared to the smaller Axomat.

All Meopta enlargers are of very good quality. I still regret to have sold my Magnifax 4 in the early 2000s.

In Germany it is not easy anymore to get Meopta equipment, especially the accessories are rare. If you purchase the version with the color head or even the Meograde multicontrast head, you will need the light mixing boxes which will fit into the inside of the color/Meograde head. Otherwise the color/Meograde head will not be usable.

The glassless negative plates and the different enlager lens bases may be difficult to find as well. I gave it up and I am using now a Durst M605 color, which is usable, but inferior compared to the Meopta.

I can recommend to use common M39 enlarger lenses with 5 or 6 elements, like Schneider Componon, Rodenstock Rodagon, Nikkor or Meopta Meogon. The Meopta Anaret is a 4-lens Tessar type, very cheap but sharp.

 

[FotoD]

A lot of confusing info in this thread.

Axomat will enlarge negs up to 24x36.
Opemus (1-6) will enlarge negs up to 6x6.
Both are condenser enlargers with an optional diffusion filter.
A color head can be added to later models.

Opemus 7 will enlarge up to 6x7. But they are quite rare.

 

[Nopo]

A lot of confusing info in this thread.

Axomat will enlarge negs up to 24x36.
Opemus (1-6) will enlarge negs up to 6x6.
Both are condenser enlargers with an optional diffusion filter.
Openus 7

My Opemus 5 came with the factory color head, I can look for the original box it came in later.



Carlos

 

[FotoD]

some specs...

 

[Sanug]

Thank you for the information. I was wrong: The max. work height is nearly the same, but the base plate of the Opemus is quite larger.

 

[nikkormat]

Thank you, all, for the information and advice.