Omega D6 with Ilfospeed Multigrade 400 HL

[MattKing]

I know it is crazy, given my space constraints, but I'm looking at a used enlarger with the following description:

Beautiful Enlarger.
D-6 OMEGA
Ilfospeed Multigrade 400 HL
35mm to 4x5 negs
Rodenstock Rodagon Lenses
Negative carriers and lots of other great stuff.

It's quoted at $500.00 CDN, and I think the vendor may be flexible. She has a website with some good looking wedding work on it, so I think she knows what she is doing. I've already confirmed that the controller/timer is included, and that the entire unit is in full working order.

I don't ever see myself shooting 4x5, but 6x9 is a definite possibility, as is 6x12.

My question is - is this worth pursuing? I know that the 400 HL has less range than the more modern 500 HL, but I can work with that.

Your thoughts?

Matt

 

[rmann]

I have used both the 400 and the 500 units - I doubt you will notice a difference. But they are different in noise levels - the 400 does not use a fan for cooling - the 500's fan will run for about a minute after each exposure. The 400 head is all metal and larger than the 500 which has some plastic and is lighter.

The control unit is the most important part of the system, be sure to confirm that it is not only working, but that all of its indicator lights are working too. The 400's push button switches are back lighted so you can find them easily.

Seems like a reasonable price for what is in the package - I would go for it - especially if I could see it before purchasing.

 

[Dave Swinnard]

Matt, if the original condenser head comes with it, I can let you have a Zone VI cold head, with the contactor unit, to fit it. I'm not using it anymore since I got my Durst. I also have a new Chromega Dichro II colour head that I'm not using too. (If it fits the D6...I think so, but no first-hand knowledge)

What about a Zone VI dry-down timer? I seem to have acquired one of these as well that I'm not likely to use.

Dave

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Dave and rmann.

I'm going to try to view it, to see what else is included.

Apparently it was bought used from the University of Toronto, and then used for a time by the current owner, so I would be surprised if there is another head for it.

Matt

 

[MattKing]

It followed me home

Well, it's now mine .

It is in remarkably good shape, and seems to be the most recent/final version of the D6 (if I can follow the Omega enlarger information on KHB's webite correctly).

There is a decent selection of negative carriers with it - 4x5 glassless, 4x5 glass, 6x7 and two home-made 35mm carriers. It also has a masking accessory that may be included with all these Omega enlargers

The lenses are an apparently matched set of Rodenstock Rodagons - 50mm, 105mm, 150mm, all with an f/5.6 maximum aperture, and they look pristine.

The Ilfospeed Multigrade 400 head and controller seem to work well, and they came with the full set of mixing chambers.

There is a condenser head with it as well, with the zoom condenser set, and it looks to me like it might be brand new and unused.

The woman I purchased it from was happy to include with it her easels (a 14x17 4 blade Saunders and a 20x24 2 blade), chemistry, measuring graduates, trays, tongs and her remaining paper. Her need to sell came from a pending marriage, and a new, smaller, renovated home. She was very reasonable too about the eventual price.

It was a bit of an adventure getting it home - it is big! - but there is nothing like having a loving and supportive wife who doesn't hesitate to pitch in and help carry, and who has a PT Cruiser to boot .

I've spent a fair amount of time since getting it home cleaning and reassembling it, reading up on it, and figuring out how to make use of it as a portable enlarger (I need a cart that is both strong enough to hold it, stable, and no taller than 20 inches, so it will roll through doors).

Matt

 

[photoworker]

6x7 Neg carrier

I know it is crazy, given my space constraints, but I'm looking at a used enlarger with the following description:

Beautiful Enlarger.
D-6 OMEGA
Ilfospeed Multigrade 400 HL
35mm to 4x5 negs
Rodenstock Rodagon Lenses
Negative carriers and lots of other great stuff.

It's quoted at $500.00 CDN, and I think the vendor may be flexible. She has a website with some good looking wedding work on it, so I think she knows what she is doing. I've already confirmed that the controller/timer is included, and that the entire unit is in full working order.

I don't ever see myself shooting 4x5, but 6x9 is a definite possibility, as is 6x12.

My question is - is this worth pursuing? I know that the 400 HL has less range than the more modern 500 HL, but I can work with that.

Your thoughts?

Matt

Hi Matt,

Just read your purchase.
I am looking for a 6x7 negative carrier for my Omega D2.
If you have one with the package you purchased and not using it or planning to use it, I would like to buy it from you (if you are interested in selling it).
Please email me at: photoworker@shaw.ca

Thank you,
Andras

 

[MattKing]

Hi Matt,

Just read your purchase.
I am looking for a 6x7 negative carrier for my Omega D2.
If you have one with the package you purchased and not using it or planning to use it, I would like to buy it from you (if you are interested in selling it).
Please email me at: photoworker@shaw.ca

Thank you,
Andras

Sorry Andras - I hope to get good use out of the 6x7 carrier .

If I see one anywhere, I'll try to remember to pass on the info.

Matt

 

[Dennis S]

Good deal. I like the idea of the turret at the bottom. (no more lens boards)

 

[MattKing]

Someone has been searching craigslist .

Naturally, since I have a 3 lens turret, I'd like to be able to switch between 4 lenses .

Matt

 

[andyvan]

Great pickup mate, I've just got a deal on one (from a photo school shutting down the wet side), same as you, but the important thing, not stated by any of the others is the controller IS CRITICAL, as it has the IC chips which control the filters (not real ones, it mixes light by a calibrated 'box' inside the head between two halogen bulbs) this allows you to control the image contrast.
Also, from what the person at this school told me (he gave me a 'one on one' darkroom intro as well), the 150mm IS overkill for paper enlargers, for 4x5" film its CORRECT (as the standard lens for the format)- as this allows extra space for Scheimpflug motion, but for paper processing this is unnecessary, a 135 will do, unless you need to crop into the negative{4x5" negs}.
the POSITIVES for me, is on the OMEGA D platform its based on, it has a fine focus, and this is LOWER than the main knob, so at higher Enlarger settings (bigger prints) you can reach focus easier, esp. when bent over the grain focuser.

 

[MattKing]

You may have missed the fact that this thread hasn't been active for more than 15 years!
I enjoyed that D6 for several years, but a move and associated downsize means that for the last 3-4 years it has been used and enjoyed by a friend who bought it from me.

 

[andyvan]

You may have missed the fact that this thread hasn't been active for more than 15 years!
I enjoyed that D6 for several years, but a move and associated downsize means that for the last 3-4 years it has been used and enjoyed by a friend who bought it from me.

thanks, I did notice that, just I have Autism, and in researching this myself, found a few points lacking in this thread, so added it, to help others keep informed when they search, as there are multiple options, and it gets confusing, Durst and LPL 7700's have a fairly good trail of info about them, This Ilford doesn't, especially the fact its IC controlled, not an Analogue light source, so having these facts about them, esp. some of the good points help people choose if its right for them, more so for the larger formats, as, other than Durst Laborator 1000/1200's nothing much is around in this space, esp. extensive info, for potential buyers, and who wants to be an owner of an intrepid one?, 3D printed, and magnets?, give me stainless steel and glass any day !!- but we need to know what it is, and how to ensure we get what we need and want, without buying incomplete things, or lemons.

 

[MattKing]

FWIW, I was wrong in one part of my earlier posts - the D6 I had was the older, grey version with a double column, rather than the last version with the single black column.
Here is the operating manual for the MG400: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MG400_Operating-Manual.pdf
And here are the wiring diagrams:

 

[andyvan]

thanks for these resources, very helpful, esp. the wiring diagrams, in case one is wired for the US sockets; or for age, as most conduits may wear out, or need a cable replacement.

 

[John Wiegerink]

FWIW, I was wrong in one part of my earlier posts - the D6 I had was the older, grey version with a double column, rather than the last version with the single black column.
Here is the operating manual for the MG400: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MG400_Operating-Manual.pdf
And here are the wiring diagrams:

Matt,
I just wandered over here and saw this. I have exactly the same D6 setup and really appreciate those wiring schematics. I used to have the 500H head and controller on a new Beseler 45 V-XL, but sold that one years back to a fellow in Vancouver , B.C.. I actually get along with the 400HL better. I also have a 400HS on a Leitz Focomat 1C. Having two 400 controllers I'm set for life I hope, but these schematic might just come in handy. Thanks again!

 

[AnselMortensen]

I have a D5XL with the 400 head.
Thanks for posting the schematic!

 

[MattKing]

The schematic is on the Ilford website.

 

[John Wiegerink]

The schematic is on the Ilford website.

Even an old fart like me learns something new every now and then. Thanks again Matt!