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MY early birthday present a De Vere 504

...a brand spanking new lensboard costs near $200 CAD, a used one made of composite material goes for $75 CAD...
Bill

I didn't know he had composite boards there. The pricing on a new one is steep but in the end, it's probably something worth investing in otherwise I'd go with the used one and get started using that baby. I'm surprised he didn't have a used metal panel in the back somewhere.

Just want to add again that Keith is a decent guy and worth a second chance imo, too bad he's in Mississauga
 
I managed to score a M-39 mounting flange for the lens board. I have a choice, take the board to a machine shop and widen the opening by a milimeter so the flange sits flush. My other other option is mount it upside down and just mount with some self tapping screws. Then the lens would sit a couple of milimeters off the board if that makes sense. That would save auditioning of a machine shop.

I liken my new De Vere to owning a really cool early 80's Aston Martin Vantage.
 
I managed to score a M-39 mounting flange for the lens board. I have a choice, take the board to a machine shop and widen the opening by a milimeter so the flange sits flush.

well - it shouldn't cost you more than $10 to have a machine shop thread it for you. You could also widen it yourself without a lot of effort. Get your hands on a dremel tool with the right tip and spend 5 minutes grinding it. Either that or spend 20 mins with a file. Personally - I'd glue it rather than using screws. Just break the seal later - if you want to swap boards or lenses.
 
I ground out the opening on the lensboard with a dremel tool and the lens mounts nicely. I did a dry run with a negative in the carrier and the projected image looks ok on the easel. Now I have to re-attach 24x24" base and wait for my brother to come over to help me move this beast into place.
 
De Vere 504 Update

I got my 504 up and running last night and oh boy this baby can print nicely. I am very happy with the performance of the Nikkor 50 f2.8 EL lens.

I made my first print on this enlarger on some Ilford 5x7 RC Muligrade Glossy paper.
 

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