omega d-ii condenser question

[r u t h]

hello all,

i found an omega d-ii (older style) enlarger at a thrift store recently for very, very cheap. i have been checking out the omegas on ebay for a while (my current home setup only does up to 6x6 and i shoot 6x9 and 4x5 as well) but was scared off by the price and shipping costs. unfortunately, this one did not include the condenser lens and i am trying to find the correct parts.

if i understand correctly, the older d-ii models need separate condenser lenses for each format, right? i am having difficulty finding the one for 4x5 negatives/135mm enlarging lenses. i have seen three-slotted variable condenser attachments, but cannot quite tell if those function on their own or if they merely supplement the primary condenser lens. does anybody have experience with these enlargers/tracking down the correct condenser sets? also is the 4x5 setup adequate for printing from 6x9 negatives?

thank you!

 

[Rudolf Karachun]

Yes this universal variable condenser attachment supplement the primary 4x5 condenser lenses assembly.

 

[Paul Howell]

You have the early model with the non adjustable condenser housing with a single condenser. My catalog states that the standard condenser was for lens from 114m (4.5 inches) to 152 (6 inches) when used with the matching lens and cone. A 100 mm lens might work, hard to say, with this condenser which is fine with 6X9. But, you don't know if at some in the past 70 years if the standard condenser was replaced. If it is the standard head it will work with a 135 to 150 lens and cone, the 135 will be tight but you can print 6X9 maybe up to 8X10, for an 11X14 you would need to turn the enlarger around and shoot to the floor. With a 150 4X5 will work without any issues. I do see the variable condenser head with the 2 condensers a fixed bottom condenser and variable upper conderner on ebay, other option is a cold or color head. Printing 35mm and 6X6 will be very slow.

 

[Paul Howell]

Forgot to add, that unless not already done I would rewire the light bulb socket.

 

[Bill Burk]

You might consider a Zone VI / Aristo grid diffuse light source.

 

[Paul Howell]

BTW, I checked my catalog and other resources, could not find any but the standard condenser for the 110 to 152 mm lens set, not that they don't exist, may have come along after my 1952 catalog was printed. You can contact KHB in Canada if there are supplemental condensers he will likely have them.

 

[MattKing]

KHB's page: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/DII.htm

 

[jvo]

rip harry taylor!!!

 

[Zathras]

rip harry taylor!!!

I bought my old Dll from Harry years ago. It is still my favorite enlarger. He was a great guy and a valuable resource for many of us here.

 

[George Collier]

Second Bill Burk's suggestion about the Aristo head. Eliminates the condenser compatibility issue, plus other benefits. I acquired a DII years ago with no condensers and bought the Aristo head. I loved it.

 

[Classic daughter]

rip harry taylor!!!

He was a legend!

 

[C-130 Nav]

Ruth,

I have a DII. There are slight differences between it and a D2 although the designations are frequently used interchangeably - see the KHB website for best detail.

Note the above link takes you to the DII website description:

The Omega Enlarger Guide: D-II Enlarger page

Information on the Simmon Omega D-II 4x5 enlarger

www.khbphotografix.com

For the D2, go to:

The Omega Enlarger Guide: Omega D-2 Enlarger page

Information on the Simmon Omega D-2 4x5 enlarger

www.khbphotografix.com

The basic condensers listed on the DII page were (glass diameter in same sized aluminum housing):

3.5 inches
4.5 inches
5 inches
6 inches

These offerings were later simplified on the D2 to three:

3.5 inches (50-60mm lenses, 35 mm film)
4.5 inches (90-105mm lenses, 120 film)
6.5 inches (135-150mm lenses, 4x5 film)

You can use smaller film and lenses on the larger condensers but the light intensity will be lower and you’ll need longer exposure times. You can’t use the smaller condensers on larger film obviously.

You can install the Variable Condenser unit you mentioned off of a D2V which gives you all three options in one unit. Just make sure the moveable lens is in the unit when you buy it.

My enlarger came with only one condenser (the 6 inch version). I was able to find both the 3.5 and the 4.5 inch versions on an internet auction site. I think I spent about $30 for each. Changing them takes about 30 seconds so I never went with the variable option.

I love this enlarger and they will give reliable service. Good luck.

 

[ic-racer]

One used to be able to get the entire Omeda D condenser head with condensers for very little; maybe less than the cost of a single condenser.

 

[Bill Burk]

Harry’s daughter has been cataloguing his stuff on Instagram and sending it iff to Canada… https://instagram.com/classicenlargers?igshid=NDBlY2NjN2I=

 

[Kilgallb]

I have a DII with only the 4x5 condenser. It works fine on 35mm and 120 film. I use an 80mm lens.