Omega D5500

[oriecat]

Last night my bf and I were at Goodwill and he waves me over and says Hey, do you want an enlarger? And I go over and there is this gigantic beast... It looks really clean and in good condition, but does appear to be missing a lens board and carriers of course, and who knows what else. I didn't attempt to plug it in, because I didn't want any more temptation. I haven't even gone MF except for Holga, so should I really be looking at a 4x5? But if it's a good deal... hmmm... $300.... is that good for one of these? What else should I look at, if I decide tot think about this more? Or should I not?

THanks

 

[Timothy]

D5500

This is the same enlarger that I am using. It is probably second only to the DeVere 504, that means really really good. If it has all the right parts and is in good enough shape and you have a good lens on it. That could be a lot to ask if you do not have anyone nearby who is qualified to refurbish and or align it. Actually, if it is in good shape, aligning this beast is pretty simple, but that would be the least of your worries.
What kind of light source is avail with it, and are you sure about the neg carrier?? because this enlarger has a very unique approach to neg carriers. It's kinda hard to explain but there is a "cassette" for each "family" of neg carrier sizes.
If there is a chance that at a later time you will be heavily involved in 4x5, then it might be worthwhile to grab this while you can even if you just put it in storage. At this price, it is pretty hard to beat. but only if you are really going to need it in the future.

Tim R

 

[oriecat]

Thanks for the info! Well I've decided that I shouldn't go there... but it did look nice and tempting for a while. About the carrier, I could be wrong because there was a note of the price tag about "& some accessories in back" and at first I thought they meant on the back of the enlarger, but then yesterday it hit me that they might mean in the back of the store. But I really don't have space for it anyway. I may regret it in a couple years, but what can you do...

If anyone in the PDX area wants to check it out, it's at the big Goodwill on MLK!