Omega D2 - Value?

baumgrenze · Jul 16, 2008

I am considering selling an Omega D2 enlarger I purchased at an estate sale in 2000 when a professional studio photographer/artist friend died at age 87. Here's a link to his obituary if you are interested:

http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Bohrer_John_23617588.aspx

Given that I've done nothing with the enlarger in 8 years, I have no easy access to a darkroom, I've decided I should reclaim the storage space it has been occupying. It has a 4x5 condenser (it looks dusty and in need of cleaning) and a lens that reads Apos 127 mm, f 5.6, Colorstigmatic, Made in USA by Egleet. It is mounted on a stout hardwood desktop board, 17.75" x 27".

Also included in the 'package' were 4 'antique' 4x5 Graflex cut film magazines , some with the leather repaired with duct tape, a new Fidelity 4x5 double cut film holder, and a Steeline Type B Texture Screen (8x10).

I also obtained some photo paper with it. It may be 'history' since I only know that it has been stored for 8 years minimum.

4 8 x 10 Kodabrome paper packs
1 Kodak Elite Fine Art S2P paper pack
1 Kodak Polyfiber G paper pack

I have not even tried to plug in and turn on the enlarger, so I do not know if the bulb is good. I've kept the enlarger under a large plastic bag to keep it as clean as it was when I obtained it.

Can anyone venture a guess what I should honestly ask for this package?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

wildbill · Jul 16, 2008

I bought Five d-2 enlargers about a year ago for $200. Welcome to the forum. I hope this won't be your only post.

kchittenden · Jul 16, 2008

I also paid around $200 for mine a couple of years ago.

Fotoguy20d · Jul 16, 2008

Last month I got a D2 (set up for 35mm only) on ebay for $50 shipped. I then won a D-II set up for 4x5 for $10 and had just the condensers, lens cone and negative carriers shipped to me (since shipping for the whole thing was $80).

bdial · Jul 16, 2008

You'll get the best prices if you sell the enlarger, holders, and paper separately.

If the enlarger has no negative carriers, the value is probably $50.00 or less, more likely somewhere around 10 or 20. If you elect to sell it on ebay, you're likely to get the best price if you are willing to ship the enlarger.

The best barameter for value would be to look at completed ebay auctions. Probably $20.00 give or take for the paper if it's unopened, 5 or 10 for the older holders and 20+ for the Fidelity.

baumgrenze · Jul 16, 2008

Thank you everybody for your support.

I do want to see this enlarger put back to work.

Since it is so heavy and bulky, I think I will start with the local craigslist and see what comes of posting there.

Rolleijoe · Jul 21, 2008

I've had a D3 complete as yours PLUS 4 20x30 trays actually given to me. I used it until I moved to CT, then was forced to use a B4, but now use D5-XL which I purchased with all new 3 lenses already attached on the turret, color spectrum analizer, dichroic head, with Omegatrol, several high priced Saunders easels, and original instruction books, purchased receipt, (etc) from the bay for a mere $350.

Good luck with yours. Perhaps you may look towards the college market with photo students looking to get into a real darkroom for a reasonable price.

Mike Té · Jul 21, 2008

Three years ago I received my D2V from a weekly newspaper office that went all digital. I got it for free. It's now all buffed and still shining light onto MY easel...

baumgrenze · Jul 24, 2008

Checking the Lamp

I'm trying to check out and understand this D2. My web research tells me that the condenser is for 4x5, which matches the negative carrier.

I'm trying to check out the lamp. I gather from www.khbphotografix.com that there are two possibilities:

6401 211-type 75w/120v (later #471-002)
6402 212-type 150w/120v (later #471-003)

It is not clear what needs to be done to get a look at the lamp. I've attached two snapshots of the lamp housing. John had masking tape wrapped around where the power cord feeds into the top of the housing. I can raise the topmost portion about an inch, then I meet with resistance. I don't want to break something. Is this a simple lamp socket with a bulb screwed into it?

Thanks,

John

BradS · Jul 24, 2008

I have had a few of these given to me in the past couple of years. From experience, they'll tolerate a 150Watt, PH-212 bulb but, they get really hot really fast with that bulb and need to have significant bulb off time to cool down. I'd definitely recommend the 75Watt, PH-211 bulb.

To open the lamp house and gain access to the bulb, remove the three screws at the bottom of the lamp house - where it meets the condenser housing. You can see the seam in the first photo you attached. One of the screws is right below that plate that says "Omega". Remove those three screws and then the lamp hosing lifts right off.

As an aside, this one appears to have suffered a lamp socket retro fit. The original socket was bakelite and fit up inside that big cast piece on top. It was held up by a nylon screw. With time, the nylon screws broke and some were replaced by ordinary metal screws...which led to a very dangerous situation as the screw goes right down into the lamp socket and if it is too long, presses directly on the back of the center electrical contact in the lamp socket...potentially making everything metal "hot".

What you have is (probably) safe but definitely not original.

baumgrenze · Jul 25, 2008

Thank you Brad! I'll give it a look tomorrow.

John

Mike Té · Jul 25, 2008

And the plastic screws are easily sourced at a good hardware store. I had to replace a metal screw when I first got my D2, for the reasons Brad mentionned.

baumgrenze · Jul 27, 2008

Brad,

Thanks for the insights. I think I am close to putting this enlarger on the market.

My enlarger has a working PH-211 bulb. It is screwed into a 'cord end' socket of the kind you might have used to install a light in a closet in the 1940's. The rubber insulation on the last 6" of the 'zip cord' was brittle. I unscrewed it and cut it off, wet the ends of the newly stripped wires with a bit of solder, and reattached the cord for the next 15-20 years. The bulb is good.

When I look at the condenser, it is clearly very dusty and dirty. Can I safely remove it and wash and rinse it carefully, and reinstall it, or are there 'focus' considerations that are not clear to an amateur like me? My approach would be a final wash with dilute ammonia (no detergent) and a rinse with clean tap water (no minerals) followed by drying with a lint free towel. Is there more to it than that?

Nobody has commented on the quality of the Elgeet, Colorstigmatic, 127 mm f 5.6,lens. From my web research, I get the sense that they made good, no-nonsense lenses. Can I advertise this as a decent lens for 4x5 enlarging? Most of the references I've found suggest a 135 mm or larger lens. I get the sense that a professional like John Bohrer knew what he was doing when he chose the lens he used. Comments anyone?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

bdial · Jul 27, 2008

The main condenser, in the round aluminum "can" has two lenses and a corregated aluminum spacer. I suspect the two lenses are identical, but if you assemble them in the original positions, all will be well. To take it apart, remove it from the enlarger, hold the can sideways and tip the top lens out, then you can get the spacer and lower lens. Do this on a table or workbench padded with a towel or something, just in case. Water and ammonia should be fine for cleaning them. When you re-assemble, the convex sides face each other.

As for the lens, El-Nikkors, Componons, and Rodenstocks get all the attention nowdays, but there are lots of other excellent enlarger lenses around, and you can't go strictly by reputation anyway. The only real way to tell how good it is would by to try it out.

Phillip P. Dimor · Jul 27, 2008

As for getting the lenses back into the can, try a suction cup.. keeps your fingers from getting them all greasy on the edges and you can clean the center easily where the suction cup left it's mark. Be careful, the glass chips and scratches easily.. Definitely do it on a towel.

baumgrenze · Jul 29, 2008

Omega D2 - More Clean Up Questions

I cleaned up the condenser lenses. I had a length of 5.5" diameter foam rod, so I cut a short flat and wrapped it in clean cloth. I put it on top of the condenser tube and it allowed me to invert the whole stack carefully. Then I reassembled it by reversing the process. Unfortunately I discovered a small chip on the edge of the upper lens. I've attached a photo. Should this lens still perform OK?

I've looked at the 127 mm f 5.6 Elgeet enlarging lens. It looks as though it could stand to be cleaned up, too. Does it unmount simply by turning it counterclockwise? What should I use to clean it, assuming that is advisable? In the past I can remember seeing 70% ethanol recommended as a lens cleaner for coated camera lenses.

I'd also appreciate advice on cleaning and lubrication of the sliding surfaces. I've gotten the worst of the dried out grease off. Am I correct that the standard arrangement for the D2 is a spring assisted sliding manual lift with fine focus supplied by a knob on the right side? Would a light weight silicone oil be an advisable lubricant for the sliding and rotating bearing surfaces once they are clean?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

Phillip P. Dimor · Jul 29, 2008

Chips on the very edge are usually fine in my experience. I've cleaned the rails and whatnot with rubbing alcohol and steel wool. Even very fine sandpaper on rust spots if any..

Do you have a DII or D2? The DII isn't geared.. I've a DII and use a light grease sparingly on the column. The lens should have a jam nut/retaining ring which holds it onto the lens board. You should be able to take the lens board out by unscrewing the two thumbscrews.

Great enlarger! I paid $100 for mine with no accessories other than a bulb, power cord and 6x6 medium condenser. I still use it today as my main enlarger.

BradS · Jul 30, 2008

Looks like you might have the condensor lenses oriented incorrectly...can't tell for sure in the photo. They should be oriented so that both curved surfaced face each other (inside) and both flat surfaces face out. That is, the flat surface on the lower lens faces down and the flat surface on the upper lens faces up (both flat surfaces out).

mmcclellan · Jul 30, 2008

I bought one on eBay, absolutely mint condition, works perfectly, for $150 and that included a couple of lenses that I don't even use, extra neg carriers (one glass for 4x5), masking frame, etc.

It's a real workhorse and I love it -- it's a real pity not to see them working in a darkroom.

mmcclellan · Jul 30, 2008

By the way, these things are great with cold lights -- and they're not so expensive. Well worth the investment!

Don Wallace · Jul 30, 2008

baumgrenze said:
I do want to see this enlarger put back to work.

Given that these are not very expensive items and you do want it to be used, why not offer it for free to some young photography student on a budget.? I don't know if there are such folks where you live (lots in my city), but there may well be some large format novice with little money who would leap at the chance.

baumgrenze · Jul 30, 2008

DII not D2

Thank you again everyone for your insights.

1) Should my original post be edited? If so, how is that done, by the moderator only?

The nameplate says DII not D2. In my initial attempts to find information I came to the erroneous conclusion that the names were interchangeable. Clearly they are not. Individuals searching for information on the D2 should not be misled by the information in this thread.

2) Phillip makes the point that the DII is NOT geared. Does that change people's opinion of the value of this enlarger?

Thanks again to everyone for being so helpful.

baumgrenze

BradS · Jul 30, 2008

D-II or D-2...either way it's worth something between "FREE, come and pick it up..I beg you please just get it outta here" and $150. The high end would be for one that is in EX+++ condition and sitting in the darkroom section of the local camera store. Since you're in Palo Alto, wander over to Keeble and Shugat. They have a beautiful D-2v up stairs in the darkroom area for around $150...on sale! It's been sitting for a few months. It is a fair price and if I ever drive to work again, I'll buy it and be done with the rest (I have two or three laying around my garage in pieces).

Omega D2 - Value?

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