Omega D3 focusing track

John Wiegerink · Feb 27, 2010

I tried double posting in this forum and the enlarging forum and that's a "no-no". The post was left in the enlarging forum and pulled here. I wish it had been the other way around. Here goes:
I have two Omega D3's and really like them. One has has the Super Chromega Dichroic head and the other has the Variable Condenser head. My problem is I need a focus track for my 105mm lens and one for my 80mm lens. I was wondering if anyone out there could trace the focusing track for the 80mm and 105mm for me. I have and extra 35mm track, 90mm track and some flat stock aluminum to make what I need. I can easily trim the 35mm and 90mm tracks to work, but need a template(tracing). The D2's were better since you didn't have to worry about a focus track, but the D3's are pretty darn handy. If anyone can help me out I'd greatly appreciate it.
Now, I know I can buy a track from Harry, but why when I have a spare 35mm and 90mm tracks that both can be fabricated into a 105mm focusing track. I just need a tracing of the curve for the 105mm track. Anyone out there have a 105mm focusing track they can trace? JohnW

ic-racer · Feb 27, 2010

I helped a friend get set up a D3 but we did not have a 105 or 80.
Since you seem ready to make one, you could start with some matboard, or perhaps some other material that can be trimmed with it still in place, and carve one to match your lens. Then transfer that pattern to your spare track or raw stock. Since you will likely always be double checking focus (even with the correct track) I would think it would not be that hard to make a 'close enough' track.

Personally, I'd go with the flatstock not mess up any original track because who knows, someone may give you an APO 90 someday or someone that wants one may be willing to pay you some reasonable money for the 90 track.

John Wiegerink · Feb 27, 2010

ic-racer
I'll do what you say if I can't come up with a tracing. As for the extra 90mm and 35mm tracks? They are really extras as I already have one of each. I surely thought there were more people out there using D3 enlargers, but maybe not. I would swap one or both for a 105mm track and if someone really needed one bad enough I even give it to them, but not before I come up with a 105mm track. Original or homemade! JohnW

ic-racer · Feb 27, 2010

Yes I see. Probably better to cut them and put them to use.

Have you seen write up on making Graflex cams? Seems like it would be similar.

photomem · Feb 27, 2010

I think I have an 80 and 105 on my D3. I will double check when I go back to the studio. Hell, I might just take an offer on them if you want them, I always manual focus. "Ballpark" focusing is not good enough for me.

John Wiegerink · Feb 27, 2010

photomem,
That would be great if you did. What lenses do you use on your D3? I would use manual focus also, but you almost must have a track in place that's close to your focal length or you won't be able to get proper focus. Thus, why I ask what lenses you use. We might be able to work something out. JohnW

photomem · Feb 27, 2010

I have a 50mm el-nikkor and an 80mm Rodenstock Rodagon. I just always flip the little "pulley" off the track and keep it in the middle. Crank it to proper height, set the break, focus with bellows and print. The tracks are really just like little metal annoyances for me.

John Wiegerink · Feb 27, 2010

photomem,
Well, I wouldn't mind taking those annoyances off your hands. I really need the 105mm, but the 80mm would be nice also. I have a friend in Grand Rapids, MI. that sells used photo equipment and he said he has some, but doesn't know for sure exactly which ones he has. He said I could have them, but he's on the road and won't be back for two to three weeks. He also said it would probably take him a couple of days to locate them when he did get home. So, I guess they are out there, you just have to shake the bushes. Let me know what you fine and we'll see what we can do. Thanks, JohnW

removed account4 · Feb 27, 2010

john

harry taylor at classic-enlargers.com
makes the tracks and sells them.
go there and email him and tell him what
you need, and he will do you right.
i bought mine from him in 1988 .. he made them years before that
and he is still making them

he is the guy when it comes to omega enlargers ...

good luck!

john

John Wiegerink · Feb 28, 2010

jnanian(John),
Yes, Harry is the Omega man and if I needed a part I couldn't fabricate or make, Harry would be the person I would contact. As long as I have the two extra tracks and the ability to make my own 80mm and 105mm then shelling out the big bucks for tracks from Harry or off eBay is a very last resort. The tracks for sale have a highly over-inflated price for what they are and I'd do what photomem does before I would spend that kind of money on two tracks. Heck, I passed up a very nice D2 on Craigslist for about what they want for a used track. JohnW

removed account4 · Feb 28, 2010

huh, i think i paid 30$ for 3 tracks when i bought them from harry.
i never knew they cost big bucks these days

... good luck!
john

John Wiegerink · Feb 28, 2010

jnanian (John),
I'd certainly be willing to pay $20.00 for an 80mm and 105mm track as you did, but $140.00 is just way out in orbit for me. Now, if it were brushed SS I might think about paying $45.00, but flimsy aluminum. Forget that! I would take the route "photomem" takes before I spend that kind of money. Of course this is just my opinion on the track pricing and some might feel they are worth $70.00, just not me. I'm sure my friend will be able to help me out when he returns home in 2-3 weeks if I can find a pattern or track by then. JohnW

lightwisps · Feb 28, 2010

John, i have a very easy solution to your problem. A good FocusScope I use one made Sheider called a Microsight It is exactly what it says. It focuses on the grain from edge to edge, corner to corner, and of course the center.

It works with any enlarger and/or lens perfectly. Since it has no moving parts there is nothing to wear out.

There is one negative, that being if you are making 20X24 inches or larger, you ned either the longest arms in the world or a bit of help

Might consider the idea.

removed account4 · Feb 28, 2010

hi john

140!? you are right, that is a lot of $$
you might also consider what was called the auxiliary focusing attachment.
it is a lenscone, or should i say lens bellows used originally for making jewel prints / reductions.
it works great if you have the wrong curved track.

it might cost a few dollars, but you won't have to buy another bellows or track again

john

ic-racer · Feb 28, 2010

I wish Harry knew he was pricing him self out of potential sales.

John Wiegerink · Feb 28, 2010

John,
My dealer friend knows another fellow that has one of the lens board/bellows units and is going to contact me and let me know if its available or not. He said it was a unit that just slips into where the lens board goes and has a focus knob and regular two screw lens board on the bottom. That sounds like the way to go for me.
ic-racer,
I think Harry figures he's not going to sell many tracks and if you're going to need one? Well, you'll just have to pay the price. I do think he is just a tad high at $70.00 myself, but like I said, that's just me. JohnW

removed account4 · Feb 28, 2010

from what i remember the 50mm lens needs a flat board, so this aux bellows
would be perfect for the longer lens + whatever rail you have .. J

photomem · Feb 28, 2010

I have the extra bellows myself. It really helps when you are not using the tracks, but it is not required.

ic-racer · Feb 28, 2010

I looked into the aux. focusing attachment and concluded (without having one in hand) that it would only be useful for small prints. If indeed you obtain the device and can focus on a large print without the appropriate track that would be good to know. There was one on fleabay last month. I was going to buy if for my friend but the last digit was one number off (429-085 instead of 429-084, indicating it was for D2 instead of D3) but it did not go for much as I recall and could probably be easily adapted to the D3.

photomem · Feb 28, 2010

I use my aux bellows with 11X14 prints made from a 645 neg using an 80mm lens. So, I think it would be fine for larger prints.

lightwisps · Feb 28, 2010

John, here is an alternative idea. Get yourself a good grain focus scope and focus on the actual grain of the film.

They can handle any enlarger/lens combination and never wear out as they have no moving parts

ic-racer · Feb 28, 2010

photomem said:
I use my aux bellows with 11X14 prints made from a 645 neg using an 80mm lens. So, I think it would be fine for larger prints.

Is that with the wheel off the tracks, or supported some way?

John Wiegerink · Feb 28, 2010

Well, I'm through dinking around! I just bought one off fleabay( item no. #160406137131) and I'm pretty sure it will work on the D3 (at least it has the notch in the center of the board). I won't have to mess with lens cones anymore and and I can now use my 180mm Schneider Componon-S lens. I couldn't use the 180mm before, because I didn't have a cone long enough. I'm sure this is the same one my dealer friend was talking about, because it's from a fellow he knows and deals with and it's only 10 mi. from my home. We'll see Wed. when I go pick it up. JohnW

photomem · Feb 28, 2010

I take the wheel off the track, wind the enlarger to the appropriate focus, then use the little set screw brake attached at the bottom of the head. Works fine.

removed account4 · Feb 28, 2010

where do you put the wheel when it is off the track ...
is it between 2 tracks so the axel is against the tracks?
or do you have no tracks at all so the bellows are completely extended ?
or do you wedge it against something else after you get the focus, so the
lens/cone/standard bellows don't move ..

thanks
john

Omega D3 focusing track

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