Omega D2 (with Variable Condenser) question

Murray@uptowngallery · May 21, 2007

Hi:

I am looking at a D2 with variable condenser and 50 mm lens.

I am only interested in it for 6x6 and up.

I have read 'lens cones' are needed for different focal lengths.

What do these lens cones look like and are they homebrewable?

Does a nominal cone size work over a range of f.l. ? (Like someone using a 150 or a 161 mm lens for the same format).

Thanks

Murray

bdial · May 21, 2007

The cones are really extended lensboards, they are used for lenses 135mm and longer. Shorter lenses need flat boards.
There is more detail available at Harry Taylor's omega enlarger site (http://www.classic-enlargers.com/).
I was recently considering how to go about doing a homebrew, but they show up fairly regularly on the auction thing, I don't think trying to replicate the cones would be too practical.

Monophoto · May 21, 2007

A cone is definitely needed when printing 4x5 negatives. But I have my 80mm lens on a flat lensboard and it seems to work fine for 6x6 negatives.

Midwest Photo is a good source of cones.

Murray@uptowngallery · May 22, 2007

thank you

Paul Howell · May 22, 2007

For 50 to 90 use the flat lens board. I use a short cone for 105, and a longer cone for 135 and 150.

Kilgallb · May 22, 2007

I extended the lens board of my D2 using a 4" piece of ABS sewer pipe. Actually it was a fitting used to join two pices together. I use it for my 162 mm lens. I use it for 4x5 and 6x7 work.

You have to spend some time filing the piece so both ends makes two parallel surfaces. It was actually easy to do.

I drilled small holes in the edges of the pipe to hold #2 high low screws. I think #2 sheet metal screws will work too.

When I get home I will take a digi pix and post it.

bdial · May 22, 2007

That was kind of along the lines of what I was planning, before I got to look at my newly aquired D II, but it turned out that it had a proper cone with it. A 4 inch pipe cap would probably be just about perfect though.
What I need now is a flat board, which would be even easier to fabricate, but I expect that I'll buy one from *bay. I've already got enough projects in the queue.

Murray@uptowngallery · May 22, 2007

So if one has nicely 'squared' ends, the trouble spent aligning the enlarger isn't wasted on a homebrew hack job:O)

That was one of the thoughts that occurred to me...

Kilgallb · May 24, 2007

Murray@uptowngallery said:
So if one has nicely 'squared' ends, the trouble spent aligning the enlarger isn't wasted on a homebrew hack job:O)

That was one of the thoughts that occurred to me...

I am lucky enough to have access to a digital protractor here at my workplace. I simply placed the work piece on the bed of a table saw and measured the relative angles. I filed until I got the same angle in all directions on both sides while sitting on the table saw bed.

Murray@uptowngallery · May 25, 2007

Excuse my ignorance, but it seems odd to need not only a different lens but a different condenser, from what I read.

If one has to change condensers to mate with the lens f.l. (or really, the negative size, I guess), then what function does the variable condenser serve...to properly position the matching condenser...then what did people do with the D2 with NO variable condenser?

This all seems odd, but I guess it'll become natural...

dancqu · May 25, 2007

Murray@uptowngallery said:
If one has to change condensers to mate with the
lens f.l. (or really, the negative size, I guess), ...

One need not change the condensers to mate with
any lens focal length or any negative size PROVIDED
the condensers are arranged so that full coverage of
the largest format is assured.

Additional condensation of the light to accommodate small
formats is possible with some condenser enlargers. Small
formats usually require greater magnification. To keep
exposure times short the higher level of light over a
small area is helpful. Dan

bdial · May 25, 2007

Without the variable condenser, you have the change the whole condenser assemby. At least if you want the full light for medium or small format negatives. With the variable condenser, you just slide it into the appropriate slot. And the rest of the condenser assembly stays in place.

Removed Account · May 26, 2007

I just bought a D2 two weeks ago. The variable condenser doesn't need to be changed, you just flip up the lamphouse door and move the tray that holds the condenser up or down. The specs on mine: 162mm lens remove the condenser, 135mm lens put it in top shelf, 90-101mm lens condenser on the middle shelf, and 50-80mm lens the condenser goes on the bottom shelf. My 150 is somewhere in between the first two, but the top shelf seems fine. I will have to test to see which is better.

- Justin

Murray@uptowngallery · May 26, 2007

Thanks.

Missed out on the auction anyway, but now I know more.

laverdure · May 26, 2007

One need not change the condensers to mate with
any lens focal length or any negative size PROVIDED
the condensers are arranged so that full coverage of
the largest format is assured.

This point has always confused me... So if I have a 4x5 condenser in place, it ought to work fine for smaller formats, except that the illumination will be weaker thus requiring longer exposure times? I tried this on my DII (non-V) setup but I got strange, uneven illumination. Should this imply that something other than a too-large condenser is my problem?

dancqu · May 26, 2007

[QUOTES=laverdure;472856]
One need not change the condensers to mate with
any lens focal length or any negative size PROVIDED
the condensers are arranged so that full coverage of
the largest format is assured.

"This point has always confused me... So if I have a 4x5
condenser in place, it ought to work fine for smaller formats,
except that the illumination will be weaker thus requiring longer
exposure times?"

That is correct. The smaller format negative may be considered
the center section of some larger format negative.

"I tried this on my DII (non-V) setup but I got strange, uneven
illumination. Should this imply that something other than a
too-large condenser is my problem?"

It is not possible to have a "too-large condenser". It wouldn't
fit. An incorrect condenser I'd think possible.

You have a, one, condenser in place? Assuming two, they
are not adjustable? There are no auxiliary condensers? What
enlarging lens? How is the illumination when printing 4x5? Dan

laverdure · May 27, 2007

Hi Dan thanks for your reply. I have the condensers for 35 and 4x5, but not the one between. By "too large" I meant using the 4x5 for 6x6 negatives. I have 75mm and 50mm enlarging lenses only, as I've never used this setup for 4x5, but I'll rig up a 135 LF lens and see what that does when I get home (on the road just now). The illumination I get using the 4x5 condenser and the 75mm (ektar enlarging) with 6x6 negatives seems fine at first, but when the position of the condenser is wiggled around around at all (as happens for instance if I raise and lower it, as if to change the negative) I notice the illumination levels changing all over the place. Sometimes, also, a semi-circular wavy ring pattern appears, reminiscent of the corrugated metal spacer between the two condenser lenses. Any ideas?

Freneticist · May 28, 2007

Reference the "lens cone". I have a DII VC and when I got it, the person had made a lens-cone from a Planters Peanut can. Perfect size diameter and length. He just taped it to a thin piece of aluminum cut like the original lensboard, and painted the interior flat black. At first I thought it was kinda cheesy, but have kept it because it works.

dancqu · May 29, 2007

[QUOTES=laverdure;473155]
"Hi Dan thanks for your reply. I have the condensers for
35 and 4x5, but not the one between."

Not so bad doing 6x6 where the magnification is not
so very much. Similar to those with 6x6 or 6x7 enlargers
wishing to work with 35mm and have no chance of altering
the condenser arrangement. I've a Meopta 6x6; no chance.

"The illumination I get using the 4x5 condenser and the 75mm
(ektar enlarging) with 6x6 negatives seems fine at first, but when
the position of the condenser is wiggled around at all (as happens
for instance if I raise and lower it, as if to change the negative)
I notice the illumination levels changing all over the place."

"Sometimes, also, a semi-circular wavy ring pattern appears,
reminiscent of the corrugated metal spacer between the two
condenser lenses. Any ideas?"

I worked and used the D2 for 6x6 with no problems. I now
work with a B8, the 6x9 junior D2. My 6x4.5 negatives enlarge
well. I've the 6x6 auxiliary but don't bother to use it.

The mechanics of your enlarger's head need checking. The
condenser is wiggled around ...? UP and Down is all that is
permitted. On my B8 I keep the pinions supporting the
condenser assembly a little loose. The assembly can
then bottom all around on the negative stage. Your
D2 may have the same pinion support. Dan

laverdure · May 29, 2007

Thanks again Dan. It's true my DII is in pretty poor condition, and I haven't done much to tighten it up. Luckily I've got two DIIs in poor condition, so I'll have the parts. But the important thing is that now I know I don't need to buy another condenser, which will save me some time and money and trouble.

mikebarger · Jul 3, 2007

Hi guys, is this auction for an adjustable cone???

http://cgi.ebay.com/Simmon-Omega-Au...1QQihZ010QQcategoryZ29987QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks

Mike

John Koehrer · Jul 4, 2007

Possibly used for making reductions/small prints?

argus · Jul 4, 2007

Murray et al,

I have some cones and condensors lying around that I saved before trashing my wrecked DII. Maybe you can do something with those?

Shipping to the US will not be cheap: heavy glass!

Greetings,
G

Phillip P. Dimor · Jul 5, 2007

I've used an omega auxillary bellows before for this purprose. It works well if you can find it. I found mine for $5 at a camera store but honestly i'm not sure if it's omega D or beseler. I just found a way to 'make it fit'. Used two pieces of plastic with screws to hold it in.

I've seen homemade ones with a quaker oats can, pvc pipe painted black, even a wooden box. The trick is finding a way to attach it to a flat lensboard.

Phillip P. Dimor · Jul 5, 2007

sorry, that's the aux. bellows. I didn't have the cone on mine but found a way 'to make it fit'.

Omega D2 (with Variable Condenser) question

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