Meopta Opemus 5a Enlarger

[TPPhotog]

Good morning Hans,
Lens looks OK but I intend to try another as soon as I can get over to a friend who has a collection. Had a look at the template and it looks OK also. I'll let you know how I get on with trying another lens
Kind regards Tony

 

[TPPhotog]

Well I've completely stripped down the whole dam beastie today, every screw came out, all mechanisms dismantled, I even took the condenser apart. Then after cleaning it all went back together and for once I only had one washer left over LOL It's now a mint condition medium format enlarger, but still no joy with 35mm.

I am now wondering is that the instructions say a 12v 100 watt bulb, does it need one of those opal bulbs? :confused: Not had a chance to try another lens as yet.

 

[Ian Grant]

Might sound daft but have you got the right light box for 35mm

 

[Flotsam]

Then after cleaning it all went back together and for once I only had one washer left over LOL

I wouldn't worry about it. Whever I work on my car I always have bucketful of parts left over. I just assume that they weren't meant to be there in the first place.

 

[TPPhotog]

Hi Ian,
Not a daft question at all and originally I thought I had the right one. However latest experiment was to remove item 2 labelled condensor box and mount the colour head directly onto the body above the negative carrier (very much as the instructions say for the Maniflex). The result is a near perfect image with only a small amount of fall off at each side. Althought it still would not give full negative area, it would allow me to get good quality prints with only monor cropping. I'd still like 100% coverage though.

Hi Flotsam,
Yep that's usually the same with me, I expected to have enough parts left to start building a second enlarger but it wasn't to be

Kind regards Tony

 

[Ian Grant]

Your best bet for quality prints is only use the colour head

Give me a call as I have a lens for you, I've PM'ed the tel no

 

[TPPhotog]

Ian,
Many thanks I owe you big time for this one. PM'ed details as discussed.
Kind regards Tony

 

[clogz]

Hello Tony- As far as I know a colour head needs a halogen lamp, not a bulb. The best you can do is borrow a 50mm lens and see if this works better. Ole can tell you some more as he has the same enlarger. Just PM him. Or contact the London firm again. It's all a bit annoying but if or rather when it is all sorted out you'll be the happiest analogue B&W enthusiast.
Take care,
Hans

 

[TPPhotog]

Hello Hans,
Fingers and toes crossed it looks like the problem is now solved and sorry I meant halogen lamp not bulb oooops. Taking out the condenser box and dropping the colour head and therefore the light source nearer to the image has given me almost full negative area. Ian has very kindly offered to send me a longer lens which will pull in those final parts and also give me the ability to print MF. Once everything is put together and I get a print off I'll post it for all the wonderful people here to see.

This really is a fantastic site as has been said before, with so many knowledgeable and extremely helpful people. I am very indebted to yourself, Ole; Ian and Martin (hope I didn't miss anyone out) on this thread. Plus of course many others who have advised me on other threads and pictures I've posted since coming here

Kind regards Tony (a very happy photog bunnie tonight)

 

[clogz]

Ole, Ian, Martin and the others will be there - coming Saturday night at the Lens and Tripod pub on the corner of Ansel Adams Avenue and Ilford Road - and guess who's bying us a pint of mixed (Rodinal and ID-11) ?
Glad the problem's been solved, not by our help but by your patience!
Regards
Hans

 

[TPPhotog]

Hi Hans,
Well the "Lens and Tripod pub" is the place to be seen and meet, first round is definately on me

... Glad the problem's been solved, not by our help but by your patience!

Narr these "silly" kinds of problems (after all usually it's something missing or incorrect, not a peice too much) requires patience from everyone and you guys kept my patience alive on this one

Kind regards Tony

 

[TPPhotog]

Happy to report that this beauty is now working like a dream. I've rewired it replacing the original transformer with a more compact and much more modern one. The light output has been boosted allowing all apertures to be used. Btw using a power transformer from a local electrical store cost only £16.00 instead of £60.00 quoted for a photographic one. On the pretence of testing it out, I spent the better part of the afternoon since lunch time in the darkroom. Once all the prints have dried I'll choose a couple to post to the gallery

Kind regards Tony

 

[Peter Hogan]

Hi, I've just latched on to the tail-end of this discussion - wish I'd seen it earlier! I've been using a Meopta for years; wouldn't be without it. You've got a deal, and you're going to have so much fun.....
Peter Hogan

 

[TPPhotog]

Hi Peter, it's always better to arrive late late rather than never arrive at all With the Scheider lens fitted that Ian Grant very kindly sent me, I think the Meopta is possibly the best enlarger I've used over the years. The split-line focusing is spot on and the Meopta has a beautifully traditional feel to using it for me. I'm going to have lots of fun with it and always enjoy printing with it
Kind regards Tony.

 

[Ian Grant]

Well I expect at the very least a print in return for that lens

Now here's the rub it has to be a print of quality & content that can sit alongside my Fay Godwin's, Blakemore's, Doisneau etc. Preferably not on Pearl multigrade . . . . . . .


It's a small price to pay for a "free" lens !

Ian

 

[TPPhotog]

Well I expect at the very least a print in return for that lens

Now here's the rub it has to be a print of quality & content that can sit alongside my Fay Godwin's, Blakemore's, Doisneau etc. Preferably not on Pearl multigrade . . . . . . .


It's a small price to pay for a "free" lens !

Ian

Hi Ian,

It will be my pleasure and after reading the other thread on RC/FB I'll be getting a supply of FB in later this week! Might take a while to be able to get close to the quality of the distinguished artists mentioned here though. Maybe you could hang it on the back of the loo door

Kind regards Tony