Need some advice on new enlargers

sruddy · Aug 31, 2018

I just brought home an Omega D2. It maybe an x as it has 56" high rails. I got it with the Omega floor stand. I want to make large 30-40" prints so I'm assuming since the table is designed to drop that this would be the one to use. However I got a Besseler 45MXII as well. If I decide I like it better I'll have to come up with a way to mount it on the Omega stand. I would like to set up both for some testing to see which one I like the best. I currently have a Besseler 23CII that is working well but I can tell both the new enlargers are better quality. Anyway the new enlargers were both fitted with Zone VI D-2 cold lights. One light has the photo cell and it doesn't go on at all. The other light without the photocell comes on but is not smooth so I'm thinking it's shot too. I have the original hot light lamp housing for the omega but don't have any of the diffuser lenses. I have the diffuser lenses for the Besseler 45MXII but I have no lamp housing for it. So does anyone have any parts for me to get up and running or any suggestions on maybe a new cold light source?? Oh and fwiw I want to use over the lens contrast filters.

DREW WILEY · Aug 31, 2018

If your main objective is to do VC papers you ideally need a blue-green cold light. The old Aristo V54 series was excellent. You'd have to track them down and see if something equivalent is still being made. I've seen some postings that implied that units for the Omega D's are still made from time to time. Someone else might have more specific contact information. Buying old used cold lights tends to be risky. The tubes etc have a finite lifespan. It should be oversized in relation to your film format. Another question is whether or not you'll have enough punch for big prints from tiny med format negs. Frankly, you'd be better off in that respect with a halogen colorhead. And these can simply be dialed in for VC control - much easier. But colorheads obviously need more head room or ceiling height than pancake style cold lights if you are printing vertically, including allowance for safe cooling.

sruddy · Aug 31, 2018

DREW WILEY said:
If your main objective is to do VC papers you ideally need a blue-green cold light. The old Aristo V54 series was excellent. You'd have to track them down and see if something equivalent is still being made. I've seen some postings that implied that units for the Omega D's are still made from time to time. Someone else might have more specific contact information. Buying old used cold lights tends to be risky. The tubes etc have a finite lifespan. It should be oversized in relation to your film format. Another question is whether or not you'll have enough punch for big prints from tiny med format negs. Frankly, you'd be better off in that respect with a halogen colorhead. And these can simply be dialed in for VC control - much easier. But colorheads obviously need more head room or ceiling height than pancake style cold lights if you are printing vertically, including allowance for safe cooling.

Sounds like finding an appropriate cold light maybe not the smartest move. I put the original Omega Condenser Lamphouse type D back on top of the variable contrast body. The lenses I thought were for the Besseler turn out to be for the Omega and there is a corrugated metal sleeve. I put these into the silver cylinder that sits on top of the film holder.Is there a third smaller lens that goes into the variable contrast holder in the appropriate position? I have printed 20" prints from my 6 x 6 negs and they are tack sharp so I'm guessing I'll be satisfied with at least 30" prints. I am currently using a 23CII with a condenser head with filter drawer and am happy with the contrast and print quality. If there was a cheap way to get lights that would work with the Zone VI stabilizer I would consider that but I think you talked me out of it.

DREW WILEY · Aug 31, 2018

Most 4x5 enlargers are way more solid and versatile than med format units, even when used for smaller film sizes. The Omega D's are easy to find components for, including colorheads, though lens cones did change generationally. Once you start using a colorhead, you'll never go back to a filter drawer. And if you are patient, you can probably find a decent Omega D colorhead (marketed as Chromega) for less than a new cold light. Pro labs have outright thrown away dozens of em in recent years as business diminished. But as usual, some of these might be old and require testing the power supply, looking for corrosion on elec contacts etc. I have personally been offered around thirty free enlargers in recent years, but had no extra darkroom space for more than one unit. Some of these originally cost over $75,000 and were still in decent working
condition. I presume most went to landfill.

Pieter12 · Aug 31, 2018

sruddy said:
Sounds like finding an appropriate cold light maybe not the smartest move. I put the original Omega Condenser Lamphouse type D back on top of the variable contrast body. The lenses I thought were for the Besseler turn out to be for the Omega and there is a corrugated metal sleeve. I put these into the silver cylinder that sits on top of the film holder.Is there a third smaller lens that goes into the variable contrast holder in the appropriate position? I have printed 20" prints from my 6 x 6 negs and they are tack sharp so I'm guessing I'll be satisfied with at least 30" prints. I am currently using a 23CII with a condenser head with filter drawer and am happy with the contrast and print quality. If there was a cheap way to get lights that would work with the Zone VI stabilizer I would consider that but I think you talked me out of it.

The Omega condenser lenses (at least for the D5, which I believe is the same or very similar in layout to the D2) go this way: The lens in the black rectangular holder sits on one of the ledges just below the lamp house depending on the lens being used, as shown in the attached diagram. You won't need that lens if you are using a 150mm enlarger lens.

The other two fit in the aluminum cylinder, top and bottom, flat side out, with the corrugated sleeve between them to hold them in place.

mgb74 · Aug 31, 2018

Some random comments:

The way the Omega mounts to a baseboard is so different than the way the Beseler mounts to a baseboard. So, depending on what you mean by "Omega stand", mounting the Beseler to that stand may or may not be possible.
When making large prints, the cheapest way to improve sharpness is to brace the top of the enlarger to the wall. There are many ways to do this.
I'm not convinced the 4x5 Beseler is better quality than the 2x3 Beseler. It does have different features though.
Older cold lights can be used with CC papers if you add a CC40 (IIRC) filter to the VC filters. But you don't have the same range and evenness of contrast levels.
So many used enlargers find there way to us broken or missing components. It can be frustrating to figure out what is working and what is not. For example, I have an Omega colorhead here missing most of the yellow filter. If you tried using it - not know it was mostly missing - you'd be very frustrated.

sruddy · Aug 31, 2018

DREW WILEY said:
Most 4x5 enlargers are way more solid and versatile than med format units, even when used for smaller film sizes. The Omega D's are easy to find components for, including colorheads, though lens cones did change generationally. Once you start using a colorhead, you'll never go back to a filter drawer. And if you are patient, you can probably find a decent Omega D colorhead (marketed as Chromega) for less than a new cold light. Pro labs have outright thrown away dozens of em in recent years as business diminished. But as usual, some of these might be old and require testing the power supply, looking for corrosion on elec contacts etc. I have personally been offered around thirty free enlargers in recent years, but had no extra darkroom space for more than one unit. Some of these originally cost over $75,000 and were still in decent working
condition. I presume most went to landfill.

Thanks for the info Drew. I’m taking a color class at the local JC and am working with a color head for the first time. Our first assignment is using a B&W neg to make a black and white print on C4 paper. We are using a light booth with the Kodak color proof viewing kit to help get the right mix. Anyway this will give me a chance to see if I like it. Can you use contrast filters with the chromega head or is it completely different when using black and white paper? Also what enlarger costs 75K? Yikes!!!

Pieter12 · Aug 31, 2018

sruddy said:
Thanks for the info Drew. I’m taking a color class at the local JC and am working with a color head for the first time. Our first assignment is using a B&W neg to make a black and white print on C4 paper. We are using a light booth with the Kodak color proof viewing kit to help get the right mix. Anyway this will give me a chance to see if I like it. Can you use contrast filters with the chromega head or is it completely different when using black and white paper? Also what enlarger costs 75K? Yikes!!!

The great thing about using a color head with b&W VC paper is you can dial in the contrast filtration in the color head. Ilford has a tech sheet on the values to use for their papers. Contrast-control-for-Ilford-Multigrade.pdf

sruddy · Aug 31, 2018

mgb74 said:
Some random comments:

The way the Omega mounts to a baseboard is so different than the way the Beseler mounts to a baseboard. So, depending on what you mean by "Omega stand", mounting the Beseler to that stand may or may not be possible.

When making large prints, the cheapest way to improve sharpness is to brace the top of the enlarger to the wall. There are many ways to do this.

I'm not convinced the 4x5 Beseler is better quality than the 2x3 Beseler. It does have different features though.

Older cold lights can be used with CC papers if you add a CC40 (IIRC) filter to the VC filters. But you don't have the same range and evenness of contrast levels.

So many used enlargers find there way to us broken or missing components. It can be frustrating to figure out what is working and what is not. For example, I have an Omega colorhead here missing most of the yellow filter. If you tried using it - not know it was mostly missing - you'd be very frustrated.

Your right I would most likely need to have some metal fabricated to make the Besseler mount properly on the Omega table.

I did this with the very unstable 23CII. I put it on a metal shelving unit. Attached the shelves to the ceiling. Then bolted the base and top rails to the metal shelf supports. It’s very solid now. The Omega is amazingly sturdy on the stand but I still think I will bolt the top to the wall somehow.

I’ll post some photos later. The Omega stand is made of major metal rectangular stock. It’s so heavy I had to use my tractor forks to unload it!

sruddy · Aug 31, 2018

Pieter12 said:
The Omega condenser lenses (at least for the D5, which I believe is the same or very similar in layout to the D2) go this way: The lens in the black rectangular holder sits on one of the ledges just below the lamp house depending on the lens being used, as shown in the attached diagram. You won't need that lens if you are using a 150mm enlarger lens.
View attachment 207173

The other two fit in the aluminum cylinder, top and bottom, flat side out, with the corrugated sleeve between them to hold them in place.

Thanks, I actually figured that out so all I’m missing is the small 4 11/16” lens that you show in the diagram. I’m thinking the least expensive way to get going would be to find one of them. I’ll see if the forum has a wanted section. Hopefully I can find someone who converted their light source and won’t mind getting rid of the lens.

DREW WILEY · Aug 31, 2018

With a colorhead you simply dial up Yellow to decrease contrast, or dial up Magenta to increase it, to whatever degree or "grade" you wish.

mshchem · Aug 31, 2018

Colorheads for VC papers are a breeze . I used a Dichro S for years, mixed yellow and magenta filters at constant density, you can change contrast and (most of the time) leave exposure times alone .
I have 8x10 and 5x7 Zone VI enlargers with VC cold light heads. I use a Metrolux closed loop timer hooked up to the photoeye in the Zone VI heads, Its the only way I would use cold lights.
I would use the Omega and condenser head with filters, unless you are like me and love buying used enlargers
I have the 2 Zone VI and 3 Beseler 4x5s setup now .
Best Regards Mike

Bill Burk · Aug 31, 2018

sruddy said:
Thanks, I actually figured that out so all I’m missing is the small 4 11/16” lens that you show in the diagram. I’m thinking the least expensive way to get going would be to find one of them. I’ll see if the forum has a wanted section. Hopefully I can find someone who converted their light source and won’t mind getting rid of the lens.

It’ll work without it. The light won’t be as ‘bright’ but I used to do 35 mm enlargements using just the main condensers.

sruddy · Sep 1, 2018

mshchem said:
Colorheads for VC papers are a breeze . I used a Dichro S for years, mixed yellow and magenta filters at constant density, you can change contrast and (most of the time) leave exposure times alone .
I have 8x10 and 5x7 Zone VI enlargers with VC cold light heads. I use a Metrolux closed loop timer hooked up to the photoeye in the Zone VI heads, Its the only way I would use cold lights.
I would use the Omega and condenser head with filters, unless you are like me and love buying used enlargers
I have the 2 Zone VI and 3 Beseler 4x5s setup now .
Best Regards Mike

Thanks Mike, I may get back to you with questions about using a cold light. I might see if I can find a NOS tube for the one with the photocell. I can put that on on the Besseler. I just put a wanted add for the Omega variable adjustment lens in the for free forum. Hopefully someone here has one. I found a used and new one from some company in Canada but they are very expensive and I really don’t want to spend anything right now.

MattKing · Sep 1, 2018

sruddy said:
I found a used and new one from some company in Canada but they are very expensive and I really don’t want to spend anything right now.

If that company is KHB, keep the link to their website.
They are a great reference for information on enlargers - both on the web and in direct communication.

sruddy · Sep 1, 2018

MattKing said:
If that company is KHB, keep the link to their website.
They are a great reference for information on enlargers - both on the web and in direct communication.

Thanks Matt, I noticed that!

mshchem · Sep 1, 2018

sruddy said:
Thanks Mike, I may get back to you with questions about using a cold light. I might see if I can find a NOS tube for the one with the photocell. I can put that on on the Besseler. I just put a wanted add for the Omega variable adjustment lens in the for free forum. Hopefully someone here has one. I found a used and new one from some company in Canada but they are very expensive and I really don’t want to spend anything right now.

Try print without any condenser, see what happens. With my Beselers in the good old days I left the condenser set for 4x5 for everything. I've never used an Omega, so someone might think I'm crazy. I would try it anyway . All you need is diffuse uniform light coverage on the negative. I wouldn't fiddle with the cold light, you need a closed loop timer to make cold lights easy. A new timer like that is probably over 500 bucks. People give away enlargers everyday, keep your eyes open. And yes KHB is expensive because Kevin Brown stocks everything. If you have any questions call KHB, none better. These guys know everything about darkroom and photo equipment.

sruddy · Sep 1, 2018

Alright, I guess I'[ll scratch the cold light lamp replacement then. I did find a few lenses but waiting a bit in case a friendly member has one to give or trade. I tried with the missing lens and the light is not even at all. Even with a 150mm lens which is supposed to not need the adjustable lens. I'm not sure why but maybe I have more issues than I know about. The Omega is definitely going to work out for my size requirements though. I can get 30" x 30" with out dropping the table at all.

sruddy · Sep 2, 2018

Looks like I’m going to need a 6x6 negative carrier too. Seems like there are a lot of choices. Which one is your favorite?

Need some advice on new enlargers

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