Omega B22 as first enlarger...

MrFus · Jan 16, 2023

Well a new year starts and I'm already planning on expanding my constantly increasing analog (and digital) photographic equipment inventory!

I'm thinking on build a small darkroom to print some frames of my negatives (I have scanned most of my negatives and I could easy get prints from the files but I want to still have the technical possibility and skills to do it 100% analog), nothing too fancy just a small area with a small enlarger and a bench for the trays of chemicals.

What is opinion on something like the Omega 22B (I shoot MF)? looks like have a small footprint and should handle 6x6 negatives without too much of a problem...

Any recomendations that are budget and footprint friendly?

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2023

Start with what you have, start using it and you will start asking questions as you do your own printing. I will not overload you with things to learn. Enjoy.

Paul Howell · Jan 16, 2023

The B22 is a solid enlarger, it will take up to 6X6, if you shoot 6X7 or 6X9 you might to think about a Bessler 23C or Omega B8.

Terrence Brennan · Jan 17, 2023

A B-22XL was my first enlarger, in 1972.

I used it all through my studies at university, and I still use it, along with a B-22 and a Pro-lab D-6. It came with two negative carriers, a 35mm and a 2-1/4 square, as well as two lenses, a 50mm and a 75mm. It fit my needs perfectly then, and still does to this day. I even fashioned a glass negative carrier for it!

AFAIR, I payed something like $250.00 (Canadian), all in.

MrFus · Jan 17, 2023

Terrence Brennan said:
A B-22XL was my first enlarger, in 1972.

I used it all through my studies at university, and I still use it, along with a B-22 and a Pro-lab D-6. It came with two negative carriers, a 35mm and a 2-1/4 square, as well as two lenses, a 50mm and a 75mm. It fit my needs perfectly then, and still does to this day. I even fashioned a glass negative carrier for it!

AFAIR, I payed something like $250.00 (Canadian), all in.

If I'm not mistaking when I learned photo my school used to have two b22 and something that probably was a D2... I'm almost sure they were Omega due the rough black finish (almost like truck bed liner!)

I shoot 6x6 with the Mamiya c330 but sometimes I get the RB and do some work with that, probably then looking for a old B8 will be the way to go for me so I can work 6x7 negatives once in a while.

Paul Howell · Jan 17, 2023

At least in my area the Bessler 23C is more common. Considering shipping what enlargers are in your local area, have you looked at C list?

MrFus · Jan 17, 2023

Paul Howell said:
At least in my area the Bessler 23C is more common. Considering shipping what enlargers are in your local area, have you looked at C list?

Yeah, unfortunately I live on a backwoods town and the only things that you find on C list are dirt bikes, pontoon boats and fishing gear!

My search for old equipment goes usually to eBay...

Paul Howell · Jan 17, 2023

We had A B22 and B8 in college, along with a D2 and very old Kodak professional 4X5. You might want to find the manuals for both on line and look to see what the condenser set is, I recall that it used a double condenser, if so make sure you get the second condenser or a color head. The Bessler 23C has a double bellows, did not need a second condenser.

randyB · Jan 17, 2023

The B-22 was my first enlarger back in 1971, I used it for years and years. I did upgrade the lenses to a 80mm Rodagon and a 50mm f/4 Nikkor. The B600 was the newer version, I think you can use the B600 carriers in the B22. Omega also made a B700 for 6x7 negs. They are great to start out in darkroom work, much better than the Vivitar/Lucky/Bogen enlargers. The Beseler 23C's are much more robustly built and can cost a lot more plus they are much bigger/heavier.

Mal Paso · Jan 18, 2023

I started with a B22 in the late 60s but switched to a Beseler 45MCRX in the early 70s to accommodate 4x5 negatives. The 23C is a little more rigid and the condensers don't sit on top of the negative stage like Omegas of that era. If you aren't careful inserting the negative and let the condensers drop you can knock the negative stage out of alignment over time.

The B22 has an auxiliary condenser inserted for 35mm. The 23C has adjustable condensers.

Jim Jones · Jan 18, 2023

I used a B22 for many years, and really liked it. It does have a few peculiarities. The bulb is a non-standard https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/66385/STAG-PH111AFR.html. I always kept a spare handy. However, bulb life seems reasonable in normal use. It's service life can be greatly extended by reducing it's voltage for framing and focusing, and using full power only for exposing the photograph. A step-down transformer or an external 100 or 150 Watt lamp in series with the enlarger lamp does this well. That external lamp can be shorted out for full power. The negative stage is secured with four screws, permitting convenient enlarger alignment. It also may make misalignment more likely. I prefer the option of relatively easy alignment to the enlargers that don't have this option. The B22 requires a proprietary lens board, permitting the use of quite a variety of enlarging lenses. The B22 uses a supplementary condenser lens for enlarging 35mm film. All of these factors should be considered when searching for a B22.

MrFus · Jan 19, 2023

Thanks everyone!

The 22 will be a great starting point but I will not be able to work with my 6x7 negatives so I feel that should look for a Omega C700...

The Beseler 23C looks like a well made machine but the size will be a problem.

Paul Howell · Jan 19, 2023

Size is not as much as an issue as the footprint, look to see what the baseboard of the C700 is compared to the 23C, I have LPL 6700, I do like it, but it does not have the build quality of the 23C.

John Koehrer · Jan 19, 2023

Yeah, Another one that started with a B22XL. It's a fine enlarger & can print a great quality print
for reasonable $$$ with experience you MIGHT consider upgrading the lenses but if you're just
starting out the Omegars are certainly decent quality at the price.
The XL uses a larger baseboard the the non XL but it's no big deal.
When I started out I put shelving brackets on the walk, jury rigged a wall mount, used the brackets
to extend enlargement size (used that once or twice, why bother :<] ) it does easy 11X14 with the XL.

George Collier · Jan 21, 2023

To me, the B22 (XL) - either one, is beautifully designed and machined. You can level the negative stage, unlike many others. They come up occasionally for sale and aren't expensive. The XL will make a 16x20 print from 35mm.

gone · Jan 21, 2023

If you want to be able to do 6x7 you probably should just start w/ an enlarger that can go up to that. It might avoid having two enlargers at some point. Not that this has ever happened to any of us of course :<(

MrFus · Jan 22, 2023

momus said:
If you want to be able to do 6x7 you probably should just start w/ an enlarger that can go up to that. It might avoid having two enlargers at some point. Not that this has ever happened to any of us of course :<(

Yeah, I shoot 120 on 6x6 and 6x7... I found a new in the box Omega C700 for sale, basically it will take care of the two main issues on my search, footprint and format!

It's small enough to fit temporary on the closet and perfectly on the small darkroom that I'm planning to build and will work with the formats that I use.

ic-racer · Jan 22, 2023

Omega was a USA brand, with SAE hardware and dimensions. Very popular at the time and built to last. Omega brand would be a great choice for those living in the USA.

Make sure the C700 comes with the correct power supply. "New in Box" can save some headaches with finding missing parts or the need for repairs.

MattKing · Jan 22, 2023

It never hurts to share a KHB link: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers.htm

Paul Howell · Jan 22, 2023

MrFus said:
Yeah, I shoot 120 on 6x6 and 6x7... I found a new in the box Omega C700 for sale, basically it will take care of the two main issues on my search, footprint and format!

It's small enough to fit temporary on the closet and perfectly on the small darkroom that I'm planning to build and will work with the formats that I use.

It would be better fit than a 23c which is heavy, the C700 will be much lighter when moving it from a closet to a temp darkroom setup. If it comes boxed I recommend taking it apart and storing in the box rather than taking the chance of having it knocked about out of alignment when not in use.

MrFus · Jan 22, 2023

MattKing said:
It never hurts to share a KHB link: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers.htm

Thank you for posting the link!

BHuij · Jan 23, 2023

I absolutely loved my B-22. It was the first enlarger I owned myself. Only upgraded when I started shooting 4x5. In my ideal "someday" darkroom, I'll have the B-22 and my 4x5MXT set up side by side, and use the B-22 for smaller negatives when I'm not aiming for a huge print size. It's a real joy to use.

Richard Jepsen · Feb 16, 2023

I taught in a community DR with B-22s. I started to buy 1c and Valoy enlargers to give students a better experience.

I recommend the LPL 6700 which is common in North America…more so in Canada. If not a LPL product Beseler sold a 67 XL enlarger which was a step down from the 23c.

With any enlarger purchase make sure you get all the required parts.

Rick A · Feb 16, 2023

About 15 years ago, I walked into our local Goodwill and found four C-700 kits in the original packaging, bought them all for $10/each. None of them looked used. I was running a community darkroom at the time and put them to good use. I have since closed the DR and sold all of them for $10 each.
Getting 35mm and 6x6 carriers is easy and cheap, the 6x7 carriers are scarce and expensive.

Randy Stewart · Feb 19, 2023

The B-22 was a starter for a lot of folks, and is a terrific choice for a B&W enlarger for 35mm and medium format up to 6x6cm. No dichroic colorhead available, so variable contrast B&W printing would have to be done with filter packs in head filter drawer or under lens. If you have the head room, the XL extended column version is preferred as the base unit is fairly short and limits the enlargement potential. Parts, lens boards , etc., seem to be readily available.

Omega B22 as first enlarger...

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