Omega D2 Enalrger Users

[jamusu]

I recently aquired an Omega D2 enlarger with the following lenses:

EL OMEGAR 1:3.5 f=50mm
Nikon EL-NIKKOR 80mm 1:5.6
RODENSTOCK RODAGON 1:5.6 f=80mm
RODENSTOCK RODAGON 1:2.8 f=50mm
WOLLENSAK 162mm f/4.5

I normally use a Omega C700 and my questions are as follows:

1.) Is this a good enlarger to use?
2.) Is it as better, worse, or as good as the C700?
2.) Are these good quality enlarging lenses?

I also aquired Ilford 6x6 multigrade filters (00-5) with it.

Jamusu.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, the d2 is better for 4x5. The nikon and rodagon lenses are good. The Omegar and Wollensak, not so great.

Jon

 

[pa28r180]

To borrow a phrase from that actor fellow, they will pry my D2 from my cold dead hands. Nikon les is good.

 

[waynecrider]

It's a heck of an enlarger and there were new cold light conversion kits you could get for it. You'd have to check if their still available in this economy. Google it.

 

[fschifano]

The D2 is miles better than the C700. It is also quite a bit larger. It is capable of handling negatives up to 4x5 inches. Of the lenses you've mentioned, these three are all top notch:

• Nikon EL-NIKKOR 80mm 1:5.6
• RODENSTOCK RODAGON 1:5.6 f=80mm
• RODENSTOCK RODAGON 1:2.8 f=50mm

The 50 mm lens is good for making 5x7 and larger prints from 35 mm negatives with the D2. Either of the 80 mm. lenses will serve admirably for medium format negatives up to 6x7 cm. and for making prints smaller than 5x7 from 35 mm. negatives. The El-Omegar isn't bad, but not made to the same standard as the three mentioned above. You'll start seeing some degradation at around 8x to 10x enlargements with some images. The Wollensack lens might be very good, or not. I really don't know. They had a very good reputation at one time, but I don't think they hold up when compared to more modern lenses. In any case, you won't find much use for a lens that long unless you are working with 4x5 inch negatives. If you find yourself moving up to 4x5, then you might want to look for a nice 135 mm. El-Nikkor, Rodenstock Rodagon, or Schneider Componon-S.

Take a look here for anything you want to know about Omega enlargers: http://www.classic-enlargers.com. Don't be shy to ask questions on the forum there. The proprietor, Harry Taylor, answers most questions in a timely fashion. Honestly, just about every question you might have has already been asked. Poke around the site and you'll find what you need to know.

 

[jamusu]

It's a heck of an enlarger and there were new cold light conversion kits you could get for it. You'd have to check if their still available in this economy. Google it.

____________________________________________________________________

I believe I may already have a cold head.

Yesterday morning I was rummaging through other items that came with the enlarger and I noticed what I thought to be a lamphouse. After reading your post, I researched for cold light heads and noticed that what I had matched the photo on the internet. The name written on it is, "Aristo D-2 (High Intensity)". I plugged it in the electrical outlet and it works. After researching it moments ago I believe it to indeed be a cold light head.

Also, I noticed that I do not have the separate condenser units for different formats. Again after much research, I noticed that some D2 enlargers were upgraded with a variable condenser unit for the D5. I checked mine last night and noticed that it is equipped with a variable condenser unit.

Are these two potentially good situations that will give me a slight advantage when making enlargements?

Jamusu.

 

[Don Wallace]

I can't speak about the cold light head because I have never used one, but a lot of people swear by them. I have a D5XL that doesn't require different condensers for different formats and yes, it is a huge improvement, ihmo. I don't use the enlarger anymore because I now have a DeVere 504 with dichroic head and a Durst 138s with condensor head. But the D2 (especially the D5) is a great enlarger.

Heck, I am getting all nostalgic for my D5. I just may set it up.

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I would stay away from the old cold light head. They tend to limit the contrast adjustment and range and provide inconsistent exposure, in my experience. I much prefer condenser.

Jon

 

[Monophoto]

It's a rugged machine. At this point, its probably approaching 50 years old (from my perspective, that's actually quite young), but it should last a lot longer. The only wear/tear issue might be with the bellows, but that's easily repairable.

The Nikon and Rodenstock lenses are very good - you can't get any better. The Wollensak is an older lens and not in the same league, but I can't complain because that's what I have. The 162mm is what you need for 4x5, and as long as you don't get carried away with giant enlargements, it will be fine.

The el Omegar is another matter. That's in a class of lenses that were commonly included in 'enlarger kits' - it's acceptable for school use, and actually it will produce decent results as long as you aren't trying to make giant enlargements and as long as you stop down to f11 or better. But it can't compare with a Rodenstock or a Nikon.

 

[fschifano]

Hi, I would stay away from the old cold light head. They tend to limit the contrast adjustment and range and provide inconsistent exposure, in my experience. I much prefer condenser.

I'm 100% in agreement with Jon on this issue. I've never really seen the advantage to having a cold light head with a florescent tube for a lamp. They take a few minutes to warm up before the output stabilizes. The older ones are not completely compatible with variable contrast papers unless you add a color correction filter. There are devices to control the variable light output. There are newer tubes with color temperature more favorable to variable contrast papers. All this adds expense and complexity for no appreciable gain in quality over the condenser set you already have. Although I prefer using a diffuse light source, I would not favor the florescent lit cold light over a good quality condenser setup with a tungsten lamp. That's just my $.02. You may like the thing.

 

[jamusu]

If I switch to the cold light head would I in fact be using a diffusion enlarger instead of a condenser enlarger

Jamusu.

 

[mike c]

Hi jamusu, yes you would have a diffusion enlarger (cold lite). I think your enlarger is a D2V,I have one also. V stands for variable,so you don't have separate sets of condensers for different film sizes. the top condenser can be moved to different positions to match film size. You Have the best of both worlds with one enlarger,multiformat ,condenser/cold lite. sweet deal. mike

 

[jamusu]

Hi jamusu, yes you would have a diffusion enlarger (cold lite). I think your enlarger is a D2V,I have one also. V stands for variable,so you don't have separate sets of condensers for different film sizes. the top condenser can be moved to different positions to match film size. You Have the best of both worlds with one enlarger,multiformat ,condenser/cold lite. sweet deal. mike

___________________________________________________________________

WOW!

It seems as though I may have purchased the enlarger equivalent of, "The One RING of Power", from The Lord of The Rings. "One enlarger to print them all".

I know that was corny, but I could not resist.

Jamusu.

 

[mike c]

I was kind of thinking of the gum commercials on TV two,two gums in one or doublememt,dentin .

 

[removed account4]

It's a heck of an enlarger and there were new cold light conversion kits you could get for it. You'd have to check if their still available in this economy. Google it.

what he said!

you can get an aristo cold light head new or used for not too much money.

check out: http://www.classic-enlargers.com/
for everything omega. harry taylor IS the omegaman,
and has a question / answer board too, repairs, sells manuals and parts and cones / lens boards and .... stuff.

i have and love my d3v, and have bought things from harry over the years
( since about 1989 ).

 

[MattKing]

As a new owner of a D6, I've spent a lot of time recently wandering through Harry Taylor's site. One of the interesting things about the Help forum, is noticing how many names you may recognize from APUG (John's included, if I am not mistaken).

Another great resource is Canadian - KHB Photographix. It is interesting how Harry will bounce a question to them on his forum, and how they will contribute there.

Technically, I guess they are competitors (some items, like manuals, are sold by both) but it seems to be a really healthy relationship between them.

I have a couple of things I'd like to buy that they both carry, and I'm torn. Due to the difference in the currencies, KHB is cheaper, but I'd like to support Harry too. I guess this is a question for the ethics forum .

Matt

 

[removed account4]

yup matt, that's me

john

As a new owner of a D6, I've spent a lot of time recently wandering through Harry Taylor's site. One of the interesting things about the Help forum, is noticing how many names you may recognize from APUG (John's included, if I am not mistaken).

Another great resource is Canadian - KHB Photographix. It is interesting how Harry will bounce a question to them on his forum, and how they will contribute there.

Technically, I guess they are competitors (some items, like manuals, are sold by both) but it seems to be a really healthy relationship between them.

I have a couple of things I'd like to buy that they both carry, and I'm torn. Due to the difference in the currencies, KHB is cheaper, but I'd like to support Harry too. I guess this is a question for the ethics forum .

Matt

 

[jamusu]

I have a few questions:

1.) How many of you use both the condenser and diffusion heads.

2.) If using the cold head, do you use graded or VC paper? I have the older cold
head I believe. I have read that it is not compatible with VC paperrs

3.) What are your overall experiences with this enlarger.

Jamusu

 

[mike c]

Use the condener with VC papers and my cold light head with graded papers,I got and old model zone 6 ,with the old model blue cold light and no filter drawer .

 

[jamusu]

Doesn't Ralph Gibson use diffusion enlarger with graded papers?

Jamusu.

 

[mike c]

the only reason I use graded is becuse of no filter drawer and don't want to put filters under the lens,There's is some good graded papers out there but have a wider range of choice with VC. I don't know about Ralph Gibson.

 

[Anscojohn]

If I switch to the cold light head would I in fact be using a diffusion enlarger instead of a condenser enlarger

Jamusu.

*****
Yes.

 

[jaimeb82]

how much you paid for all this, I am going after either a D2V or a Beseler 45. Can't make my mind up. D2V is highly recommended, and Beseler 45 is former tool or Mr. Ansel Adams...life is all about choices, isn't it?

 

[removed account4]

jamusu,
it is a great enlarger, i don't think you will be unhappy ...

 

[jamusu]

I had no idea that I was purchasing such a legend of an enlarger until after I purchased it.

Jamusu.