Omega D Negative Carriers in LPL 4x5 Enlarger

Crit-ter85 · Jul 12, 2023

I'm piecing together a Saunders/LPL 4550XL enlarger and have seen that the LPL negative carriers can be used in Omega D series enlargers. I already have several Omega D series carriers, does anyone know if they can be used in the Saunders/LPL enlarger? I am still trying to source a negative stage plate for the LPL, so I can't test them myself yet. That's the last item I need to find to finish putting it all together. Also, if anyone has a negative stage plate for the LPL, I'd be interested in buying it.

Rick A · Jul 12, 2023

If you already have some Omega D series carriers try them in the LPL to see if they fit. Have you contacted KHB Photografix to see if they have the parts you need.

The LPL Enlarger Guide: LPL model 7452 4x5 Enlargers

a guide to the LPL 7452 (Saunders/LPL 4550XL) 4x5 enlarger and accessories

www.khbphotografix.com

Crit-ter85 · Jul 12, 2023

Rick A said:
If you already have some Omega D series carriers try them in the LPL to see if they fit. Have you contacted KHB Photografix to see if they have the parts you need.

The LPL Enlarger Guide: LPL model 7452 4x5 Enlargers

a guide to the LPL 7452 (Saunders/LPL 4550XL) 4x5 enlarger and accessories

www.khbphotografix.com

I can’t test the fit until I have the stage plate, hence my question. If the Omega D carriers don’t fit I’ll need to track down a 6x7 carrier for the LPL. If they are compatible then I have all the carriers I need. I did call KHB and they don’t have the part I need and don’t know if/when they will get more from the LPL factory in Japan.

Patrick Robert James · Jul 12, 2023

They will fit but the screws that hold the guides in the bottom make it really tight to insert and they will scrape the plate. If you plan on using one I'd glue the guides on then get rid of the screws. That is on my enlarger. There might be differences with others. It is easier to just stick with the LPL carriers. If you can afford it, get the 4x5 glass carrier. It can be used for everything. I have some aluminum and cardboard and film masks that I use for smaller sizes with it.

If you can't find the regular stage plate, try looking for the cropping one. You might get lucky.

Crit-ter85 · Jul 13, 2023

Patrick Robert James said:
They will fit but the screws that hold the guides in the bottom make it really tight to insert and they will scrape the plate. If you plan on using one I'd glue the guides on then get rid of the screws. That is on my enlarger. There might be differences with others. It is easier to just stick with the LPL carriers. If you can afford it, get the 4x5 glass carrier. It can be used for everything. I have some aluminum and cardboard and film masks that I use for smaller sizes with it.

If you can't find the regular stage plate, try looking for the cropping one. You might get lucky.

Thank you! That gives me enough hope to wait out on finding an LPL carrrier until I try it out. Was planning on looking for a glass carrier if I needed to get another one. Good to know that they’re worth it.

brianssparetime · Jul 13, 2023

Crit-ter85 said:
Thank you! That gives me enough hope to wait out on finding an LPL carrrier until I try it out. Was planning on looking for a glass carrier if I needed to get another one. Good to know that they’re worth it.

I'm actually in the same boat - currently have a D2 and working on moving to an LPL 4500ii (once I get the power supply fixed).

My D2 holders range from real to homemade, and they do seem to fit into the LPL, though the LPL ones I think are a bit thicker, so I may make a felt border to get a good light seal.

But I think I'll likely get a few 3d printed holders as well. This thread (https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...4500-or-jobo-7450-7451-7452-enlargers.199600/) has some guidance, and there's a guy selling finished ones on ebay as well.

Curious to hear what you choose to do.

brianssparetime · Jul 25, 2023

brianssparetime said:
I'm actually in the same boat - currently have a D2 and working on moving to an LPL 4500ii (once I get the power supply fixed).

My D2 holders range from real to homemade, and they do seem to fit into the LPL, though the LPL ones I think are a bit thicker, so I may make a felt border to get a good light seal.

But I think I'll likely get a few 3d printed holders as well. This thread (https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...4500-or-jobo-7450-7451-7452-enlargers.199600/) has some guidance, and there's a guy selling finished ones on ebay as well.

Curious to hear what you choose to do.

Update....

The D2 negative carriers fit perfectly, if you have the negative stage plate (http://store.khbphotografix.com/Negative-Stage-Plate-for-LPL-and-Saunders-LPL-4x5-Enlargers.html). In fact, this plate even has screw holes where you can add studs that match the notches on the back of Omega D negative carriers (though if you do that, then the native LPL holders don't quite fit in all the way).

The negative stage plate also accounts for the difference in thickness I mentioned above: with the plate installed, there is no need for felt, as the Omega D carriers are the exact same thickness as the native LPL carriers.

In fact, I noticed that some of my D2 carriers even have extra bits of metal attached to one face (a flat square with truncated corners) that happens to lock perfectly into the negative stage plate.

Crit-ter85 · Jul 26, 2023

brianssparetime said:
Update....

The D2 negative carriers fit perfectly, if you have the negative stage plate (http://store.khbphotografix.com/Negative-Stage-Plate-for-LPL-and-Saunders-LPL-4x5-Enlargers.html). In fact, this plate even has screw holes where you can add studs that match the notches on the back of Omega D negative carriers (though if you do that, then the native LPL holders don't quite fit in all the way).

The negative stage plate also accounts for the difference in thickness I mentioned above: with the plate installed, there is no need for felt, as the Omega D carriers are the exact same thickness as the native LPL carriers.

In fact, I noticed that some of my D2 carriers even have extra bits of metal attached to one face (a flat square with truncated corners) that happens to lock perfectly into the negative stage plate.

Thanks for the update! I finally got my hands on a stage plate and was able to test out my Omega carriers and also found that they fit perfectly. I didn't know about the screw holes though, but I am now using both LPL and Omega carriers, so it doesn't make sense for me to go that route.

Omega D Negative Carriers in LPL 4x5 Enlarger

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