Omega D2 Enlarger or Paperweight

Fotoguy20d · May 19, 2008

I should have done some more research before buying this, but at $45 I thought I should grab it first and worry about the rest later. I already own a Saunders LPL 670 so my goal here is to use it for 4x5 and maybe also 6x9. I have an El-Nikkor 105mm lens, a 50mm, and whatever this thing happens to come with. Any guesses as to what I need to make this enlarger usable for 4x5? Will the 105 lens be usable? Do I need a different lens cone (found reference to that on-line, what is it?) If I'm not lucky enough to have the right condenser set in there for 4x5, will the one there be usable (and at what impact) or do I need to find the right one (or ones)? What do I need to look at when this arrives? My goal is to hit the ground running and be able to start using it as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Dan

wilsonneal · May 19, 2008

The condensors come up on ebay all the time. That would be one route. Another route, you could just get a coldlight on ebay and bypass the condensors altogether.

Lens cones show up all the time, too. Often they're attached to lenses. The 105 is probably too short for you. I don't think it will cover 4x5. I would look for a 135 or 150. I bought a 135 with the proper cone on ebay for about $30 not long ago. It was an old Dejur lens, not terribly fast. It went cheap because it wasn't a modern Nikkor, Schneider, Fuji, etc. But, all things being equal, this old Dejur is every bit as good as my more modern lenses. I find these D2's clean up well. Once properly stabilized to eliminate vibration (I used picture hanging wire at the top of the column to anchor to the wall) and aligned, they are good machines. And, parts are available and cheap.
Neal

John Kasaian · May 19, 2008

Check out www.classic-enlargers.com for lots of great info on Omegas.
From what I see, you'll ;likely need a lens cone, lens disc, negative holder and a swing away red filter.
A 105mm lens is too short for 4x5 as wilsonneal wrote. A 135, 150 or 161 will work. the classic-enlarge website will tell you which lens goes with which lenscone. 4x5 condensers do show up on ebay but the ones I've seen are either pricey or scratched/chipped. If you plan on using it for more than one format consider a Arista Codelight, which you can also find used and quite reasonable, often cheaper than condensers. Make sure you get one with the tube that will work for vc paper if thats what you use.
Have fun, these are great enlargers

David A. Goldfarb · May 19, 2008

Omega D-series parts are cheap and plentiful. You'll find lots on eBay. There are many accessories available for this system. I usually use an Arista Hi-D cold light head, which you can find used or even new at B&H and other suppliers.

I'm a fan of the Rapid Shift (round rather than rectangular) negative carriers with glass inserts, but the rectangular open ones work fine as well.

Paul Howell · May 19, 2008

You are planning of keeping both enlargers and only use the D for 4X5 and
6X9 the standard condenser will work just fine.

Nicholas Lindan · May 19, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
what I need to make this enlarger usable for 4x5?

You may not need a lens cone - they are only needed (TTBOMK) on the autofocus models. If, however, the enlarger has a slide-in lens board then you may need a cone if the rear element of the lens protrudes too much. A bit of lexan or wood with a hole bored in it can remedy the problem.

You have a fixed condenser. The condenser will cover -- well whatever it is that the condenser will cover. Raise the head and take a peak. The various condensers are only the size needed to cover their particular size of film.

The 105 lens will not cover 4x5, it is made for 6x9. Some 135mms will cover but many were made for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. 150mm is the standard for 4x5.

You can make perfectly good negative holders from heavy-duty mat board. In any case they are plentiful on ebay.

On the subject of 6x9: I don't know about Omega, but there are two 6x9 holders for Beselers, one for 2x3" sheet film and one for 120/220 roll film. Be sure you are getting the right size.

Paul Howell · May 19, 2008

Nicholas Lindan said:
You may not need a lens cone - they are only needed (TTBOMK) on the autofocus models.

You do need a lens cone, the D2 or 3 does not have enough bellows for a 135 or 150. You can use a flat lens board for the 105. Lensboads for the autofoucus have a slot for the autofocus rail cut in the back of the cone and these cones will not fit into a non autofocus D2. The 135 cone will work with a 150 lens.

On the subject of 6x9: I don't know about Omega, but there are two 6x9 holders for Beselers, one for 2x3" sheet film and one for 120/220 roll film. Be sure you are getting the right size.

Good point. Omega does have a 2X3 Sheet film negative holder as well a 120/220 and as other's have pointed out in rapid shift, glass and glassless models.

Neal · May 19, 2008

Dear Dan,

The 4x5 condenser for your enlarger has two lenses that just fit in the stainless steel cylinder (they are separated by a corrugated metal ring).

Here are photos of my condensers for 6x9 and 4x5.

I apologize for the focus but the attic lighting makes it difficult for my little digicam to autofocus.

Neal Wydra

Gatsby1923 · May 19, 2008

I found a Variable Condenser for less than $30 on ebay. I'd go look for one of those. my 4x5 condenser did not throw enough light for printing 35mm.

Fotoguy20d · May 19, 2008

Neal - Thanks for the photos. The enlarger should be arriving by Wednesday so at least now I'll know what I'm looking at.

Neal/Nicholas/Paul - Just won a 4x5 holder on ebay and thanks to you didn't buy the 2x3 sheet one being sold by the same seller. Is an omegaron/rodenstock enlarging lens any good? Saw a 150mm one as well as a 135mm El-Nikkor. What are the limitations with not having the cone? Will I be limited to larger prints?

I'm thinking a little patience with this exercise will pay off in getting the right stuff first time around.

Dan

bdial · May 19, 2008

The variable condensor requires the larger main condensor assembly that Neal describes.
Without the cone you won't be able to focus the longer (135/150) lenses. At least not at 8x10 or so.

Fotoguy20d · May 19, 2008

Gatsby1923 said:
I found a Variable Condenser for less than $30 on ebay. I'd go look for one of those. my 4x5 condenser did not throw enough light for printing 35mm.

My plan is to only use this enlarger for 4x5 and maybe 6x9. My bigger concern is that this enlarger might come with the smaller condenser (it's coming with a 35mm negative carrier from what I saw in the photos). So far I haven't found a condenser or cold light head but it's only day one of what I suspect will be a long process.

Dan

Paul Howell · May 19, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
Neal - Thanks for the photos. The enlarger should be arriving by Wednesday so at least now I'll know what I'm looking at.

Neal/Nicholas/Paul - Just won a 4x5 holder on ebay and thanks to you didn't buy the 2x3 sheet one being sold by the same seller. Is an omegaron/rodenstock enlarging lens any good? Saw a 150mm one as well as a 135mm El-Nikkor. What are the limitations with not having the cone? Will I be limited to larger prints?

I'm thinking a little patience with this exercise will pay off in getting the right stuff first time around.

Dan

I dont think you will be able to focus a 135 without a cone, or at only max hight. In terms of the enlarging lens, depends, 4 or 6 elements? Some 4 elements are very good stopped down, it is just hit and miss. Most 6 element are very good. I have always been impressed with El-Nikkor's. I tend to use a 150mm or 162mm elements for 4X5.

Neal · May 19, 2008

Dear Dan,

The Nikon will work very well for you. To me, the 135mm Nikons seem to be the best value for 4x5. That said, you will need to find a cone. They come up all the time on ebay so keep looking. One last thought about the enlarger. There is no filter drawer so the easiest route to using VC paper will be below the lens filters. If you like to fool with things there was an article in March/April 2003 issue of Photo Techniques on building a filter drawer. The article was meant for a diffusion enlarger but the thickness of the filter drawer looks small enough that it may not screw up the condenser placement.

Neal Wydra

Fotoguy20d · May 19, 2008

There's a cone on ebay now but it's undrilled. I'm not sure how I would mount the lens to it though. I figured I'd wait though and see what else I need. There's a cheap DII on craigslist in my area - thought I might look at that one for parts once I know what I need.

I have a set of Ilford multigrade filters with holder to mount under the lens which should work nicely with this enlarger.

Paul Howell · May 20, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
There's a cone on ebay now but it's undrilled. I'm not sure how I would mount the lens to it though. I figured I'd wait though and see what else I need. There's a cheap DII on craigslist in my area - thought I might look at that one for parts once I know what I need.

I have a set of Ilford multigrade filters with holder to mount under the lens which should work nicely with this enlarger.

You need a cone and a lens board with correct diameter for your lens. In order to use a filter holder under the lens you need make sure the holder is fit the diameter of your lens as well. You can also put a filter in the cone above the lens. If the DII on craigslist has the multicondenser head I would grab it.

MikeM1977 · May 26, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
My plan is to only use this enlarger for 4x5 and maybe 6x9. My bigger concern is that this enlarger might come with the smaller condenser (it's coming with a 35mm negative carrier from what I saw in the photos). So far I haven't found a condenser or cold light head but it's only day one of what I suspect will be a long process.

Dan

I have an extra set of 6" 4x5 condensors for a D2. PM me if interested. I would let them go cheap (but you would have to pay the pricey shipping).

You will also need a lens cone and a 135mm or 150mm lens for 4x5 printing.

Nokton48 · May 26, 2008

I use the large Omega cone to focus my 180mm Rodenstock Rodagon lens on my old D2. I use the Omegalite flourescent source, it's a really sweet (somewhat overlooked) combination for making really large prints from 4x5 negs.

waynecrider · May 26, 2008

A D2 is not a DII. My D2 has a variable condenser covering formats 35mm to 4x5 and you pull out the condenser for the 4x5 format; Don't need it.

For filters the best way to go is get some black mat board and use a 4x5 neg carrier as a template. Outline with a pencil or pen and cut two pieces and the holes and tape a hinge. I also cut out the guide holes for the carrier. It's just two pins in the bottom plate that holds the carrier and aligns it. Use it on top or bottom of any neg carrier.

You need the long cone, lens adapter plate and a 150mm although others have apparently used other lenses?

Fotoguy20d · May 27, 2008

waynecrider said:
A D2 is not a DII.

I thought the only difference between the D2 and the DII is in the gear mechanism on the D2 for raising and lowering the head? Mine is a D2. It came last week and it's sitting in my garage assembled, but dirty. Everything works but I definitely need the long cone and a 150mm lens since it's set up for 35mm.

Dan

BradS · Apr 14, 2009

Fotoguy20d said:
I thought the only difference between the D2 and the DII is in the gear mechanism on the D2 for raising and lowering the head? Mine is a D2. It came last week and it's sitting in my garage assembled, but dirty. Everything works but I definitely need the long cone and a 150mm lens since it's set up for 35mm.

Dan

No. Actually there are several other more subtle differences between the two models. In addition to the geared elevation on the D-2. the (earlier) D-II has a different column than the D-2 and it attaches to the base board differently. That said, most of the interesting parts -- lens cones, light sources, condensors and neg carriers -- do interchange.

Omega D2 Enlarger or Paperweight

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