Omega D, Beseler 4x5 and M39 mount lenses.

[Ko.Fe.]

Another thread about enlargers choice, sorry.

I have two enlargers. One for Minox 8x11, another for 135 and 6x6, which is Vivitar E34. It is using M39 mount lenses and I have three of them. Two are good ones for sure, I spend some time to get them.
But I want enlarger capable of 6x9 and 4x5 negatives. I want to see them (negs) on 5x7 and 8x10 darkroom prints.

My problem is - I'll be unable to keep all three of enlargers at home. Not enough space.
Currently I could move out Minox developing and enlarging set to another place and would like to keep just one enlarger at the countertop in our house basement where Vivitar E34 currently is.
Idealy I would like to have only one enlarger for all I do:
Minox 8x11 (just for fun and optional),
135 (my main film format),
6x6 (I have some from time to time)
maybe 6x7 ,
6x9 (from old folders I have)
and
4x5 (from Speed Graphic, couple of dozens per year).

BW only prints done mostly on RC paper, no color prints.

Where I'm some 4x5 Beseler and very few Omega D are available. And it is

 

[MattKing]

Printing from the Minox negatives would be a challenge with my Omega D6. I've actually switched to a 60mm lens for my 35mm work, because when the focusing bellows is compressed as much as necessary to use a 50mm lens, it is awkward to work with.

My D6 is the older type - it relies on a bellows to adjust the lens position for different formats. The newer versions do the same.

An older Omega D2 (and others) used lens cones. Apparently, there were recessed cones that could be used with 25mm lenses.

KHB has all sorts of useful info: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/

And they are a bit closer to you (Mississauga) than most sources.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

!!! Thank you, Matt! I didn't realize they are HERE!

 

[BradS]

I have an Omega D2-V and I find it very challenging to use for 35mm...so much so that I have a much smaller Durst F30 dedicated to 35mm It is, by comparison, a joy to use. Kinda makes me wish I had a big Durst.

I had a Beseler 45MX (or something like that). It was the newer black one with motorized lift. A very sturdy machine but it was enormous and heavy! As my dark room is not permanent, the Beseler proved to be unworkable for me. It sat in the basement neglected until I gave it away a few years ago.

To answer the main question...yes. Both Omega D series and Beseler 4x5 enlargers have lens boards suited to the standard M39 enlarger lenses.

 

[Paul Howell]

In the past I have had a 2 enlarger set up, one for 35mm and 6X6 and my D3 for 6X9 and 4X5 with a cold head. A few years ago I gave the 35mm 6X6 away and put the condenser head back on. It was nice having 2 enlarges for doing multiple exposers prints from 2 different negatives. I don't have any issues printing 35mm from my D3, I use a 60mm when printing 5X7 and a 50mm for 8X10 to 16X20. Omega made a 1/2 frame negative carrier, I don't know about 16mm, I think a 25mm lens can be used with a recessed lens board. With a D2 to D5 you need different lens cones for different focal length lens, I have a none of 105, another for 135 and yet another for 150 to 162. A Bessler like the D6 has an adjustable bellows. If you are going back to a D2 you also want to get an adjustable condenser head, or find a unit with a color head.

 

[mwdake]

With a D2 to D5 you need different lens cones for different focal length lens,

My D5 has the extended bellows and does not need lens cones for different focal lengths.

 

[Paul Howell]

I used D 5 while on the airforce with the lens cones, later all the D 5 were converted to color heads.

 

[ic-racer]

My Minox negatives and 16mm still negatives print great with the 4x5 glass Omega carrier. Just be sure to mask off all the unwanted light, otherwise the prints will be low contrast.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thank you for details, ic-racer. I was able to find your post with photos of the darkroom yesterday.

FrankS gave me yesterday D5 XL for simbollic price. It is huge and if I'm lucky it will be on the same place where Vivitar is for now with one cm or zero clearance from the basement ceiling.

It is missing lens mount, board. I wonder if it will work with plate cuted for correct size to slide in and with fixed to it m39 macro ring as lens mount? Cut out board, drilled hole in the middle and m39 ring to hold the screwed in lens.