A couple weeks ago I picked up an Omega B-22 from a local fellow via eBay for $37. It’s complete except for negative carriers and timer. I’ve taken it apart, given it a thorough cleaning, gotten a timer for it and carriers, ordered some bulbs (the one it has works, but has a discolored/burned spot on one side, so I’ll just replace it when the new one arrives), and set it up on a little rolling cart that I can roll into the laundry room at my house, which makes for a near perfect home darkroom. Even though I have a dedicated darkroom at my lab, printing late into the night at the lab can often interfere with domestic expectations because you’re not home. Cue portable darkroom at home via the B-22. It has a 50mm lens and the supplementary condenser element for 35mm.
OK, the questions: man that’s a lot of light. I generally prefer my exposure times with a grade 3 filter to be in the 10-20 second range to get an acceptable black with film base plus fog. Stopped all the way down is still too much light. Is there an easy way to cut the light down that won’t introduce textures or patterns into the prints? Most of what I’m planning to print is 3.5x5 and 5x7 from 35mm negs (again family snaps to go into albums).
Question 2: the contrast I’m getting on a print is a lot higher than with my dichroic diffusion enlargers at the lab. Is there a way to make the light more diffuse without introducing patterns and textures into the print?
I’ve tried a sheet of semi transparent duralar under the bottom condenser and it cuts the light, but introduces patterns. I’ve put a piece of that material in the filter drawer, and it also cuts the light, but doesn’t really seem to tame the contrast in any meaningful way. I still have to print with a grade 0 or 1 as opposed to a 2-3 with the other enlargers. I also prefer the diffusion light source look over how the condenser looks, print-wise. There’s nothing wrong with the look of the print with the B-22, it’s just a preference thing.
I’m not looking to spend a huge amount of cash, given that this is for personal family snaps and stuff, so will live with it if there’s no easy way around the light source, but thought I’d put it out here if anybody else has some experience/insights with this particular little guy.
All that being said, the B-22 is a great little enlarger, and overall, I’m pretty happy with it, and my spouse is also happy that I’m not out until the wee hours.
OK, the questions: man that’s a lot of light. I generally prefer my exposure times with a grade 3 filter to be in the 10-20 second range to get an acceptable black with film base plus fog. Stopped all the way down is still too much light. Is there an easy way to cut the light down that won’t introduce textures or patterns into the prints? Most of what I’m planning to print is 3.5x5 and 5x7 from 35mm negs (again family snaps to go into albums).
Question 2: the contrast I’m getting on a print is a lot higher than with my dichroic diffusion enlargers at the lab. Is there a way to make the light more diffuse without introducing patterns and textures into the print?
I’ve tried a sheet of semi transparent duralar under the bottom condenser and it cuts the light, but introduces patterns. I’ve put a piece of that material in the filter drawer, and it also cuts the light, but doesn’t really seem to tame the contrast in any meaningful way. I still have to print with a grade 0 or 1 as opposed to a 2-3 with the other enlargers. I also prefer the diffusion light source look over how the condenser looks, print-wise. There’s nothing wrong with the look of the print with the B-22, it’s just a preference thing.
I’m not looking to spend a huge amount of cash, given that this is for personal family snaps and stuff, so will live with it if there’s no easy way around the light source, but thought I’d put it out here if anybody else has some experience/insights with this particular little guy.
All that being said, the B-22 is a great little enlarger, and overall, I’m pretty happy with it, and my spouse is also happy that I’m not out until the wee hours.