Pre-purchase questions on the Omega D5

[PFGS]

I've been printing on a Beseler 23c, but have long wanted to upgrade to a 4x5 enlarger. Unfortunately, they don't seem to come available very often in my market, but I currently have the opportunity to buy an Omega D5 enlarger with the DV condenser lamphouse. Before I go check it out, I want to make sure I do my homework. I did search, but didn't find much on these specifics:

1) What parts to I need to look out for to make sure it is complete? I'm thinking things like condensers, filter drawers, random mounting rings and other removables that go missing. This is a bellows focus model so it doesn't need cones, at least.

2) How is the D5 for printing smaller negatives, 35mm and 645? I know some of the Beseler 4x5 models have a reputation for being less than accommodating of 35mm.

3) How are these for stability of focus and evenness of illumination? My 23c's focus drifts such that I need to check every print, and its illumination tends to fall off badly no matter how I position the condensers.

4) Does the D5 have any "bad habits" that my Beseler is free from, that I might be inadvertently bringing into my workflow?

Thanks much!

 

[jeffreyg]

Many years ago I went from a 23C to a D2 to be able to do 4x5s as well as 35mm and 2 1/4. I started with the default condenser which was fine and then got a cold light and finally an Aristo multi contrast. All worked well and were trouble free. The D5 should work as well. Just check to see if it is functioning smoothly and there are negative carriers. I would also check the enlarging lenses that are included. For 4x5 I use a 135mm mounted on a cone. I also installed a spring to hold the arm that lifts the light source back to the frame so there is no movement during exposure. A hardware store purchase and a couple of minutes to install. I still have the condenser,filters and cold light since Aristo is no longer. Somewhere along I changed the Aristo bulbs and hope they will go the distance..

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

 

[MattKing]

A useful D5 resource: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm
I use a D5 in my Darkroom Group's shared darkroom (actually two of them - one with a DV head, and the other with a dichroic head).
And I own a D6 (the older version with the ladder style column).
The two are sufficiently similar that you can apply comments on one to your consideration of the other.
The DV condenser head is complete - I don't know why it would have anything removed.
Well it is true that there is no need for cones with a D5, the D5 and D6 use a combination of a lens mount/lens turret and a lens plate. You do need to match your lens plate to the lenses you use. KHB supplies a useful reference: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm. If you are sourcing the lens plates, be sure that you get the right knurled screws too - they come in two (at least) different lengths.
Prior to my recent move, I used my D6 regularly to print 35mm negatives. I could (and did) use a 50mm enlarging lens for that purpose, but the highly compressed lower bellows made it slightly less convenient. I solved that problem by switching to a 60mm lens.
I could have accomplished most of that by using an 80mm lens instead, but that would have on occasion limited my maximum print size.
645 negatives are perfectly suited to the same 80mm lens as 6x6 negatives, so there is no issue there.
If your 23C shifts focus and gives uneven illumination, it has problems. My D6 and the D5s I use at my group darkroom give stable focus and even illumination when set correctly.
I like Beseler 23C enlargers. I like my D6 and the D5s even more, except for one thing - the focus control on the Omegas is only on the right side. I'm left handed, so I liked having a focus control on the left side of the Beselers I have used.
You will of course need the appropriate negative carriers for the Omega.
My D6 has an Ilford Multigrade head, but when I use the D5 with the DV head, I either need to use the in head filter drawer or a below the lens filter holder to use Multigrade. Both are accessories.
Hope this helps. The D5/D6 enlargers are great to use.

 

[PFGS]

A useful D5 resource: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm
I use a D5 in my Darkroom Group's shared darkroom (actually two of them - one with a DV head, and the other with a dichroic head).
And I own a D6 (the older version with the ladder style column).
The two are sufficiently similar that you can apply comments on one to your consideration of the other.
The DV condenser head is complete - I don't know why it would have anything removed.
Well it is true that there is no need for cones with a D5, the D5 and D6 use a combination of a lens mount/lens turret and a lens plate. You do need to match your lens plate to the lenses you use. KHB supplies a useful reference: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5.htm. If you are sourcing the lens plates, be sure that you get the right knurled screws too - they come in two (at least) different lengths.
Prior to my recent move, I used my D6 regularly to print 35mm negatives. I could (and did) use a 50mm enlarging lens for that purpose, but the highly compressed lower bellows made it slightly less convenient. I solved that problem by switching to a 60mm lens.
I could have accomplished most of that by using an 80mm lens instead, but that would have on occasion limited my maximum print size.
645 negatives are perfectly suited to the same 80mm lens as 6x6 negatives, so there is no issue there.
If your 23C shifts focus and gives uneven illumination, it has problems. My D6 and the D5s I use at my group darkroom give stable focus and even illumination when set correctly.
I like Beseler 23C enlargers. I like my D6 and the D5s even more, except for one thing - the focus control on the Omegas is only on the right side. I'm left handed, so I liked having a focus control on the left side of the Beselers I have used.
You will of course need the appropriate negative carriers for the Omega.
My D6 has an Ilford Multigrade head, but when I use the D5 with the DV head, I either need to use the in head filter drawer or a below the lens filter holder to use Multigrade. Both are accessories.
Hope this helps. The D5/D6 enlargers are great to use.

Matt, thanks as aways. I did find that resource page - the enlarger pictured there is the exact one I'm looking at, down to the cosmetics - but I'd missed the click-through to the page on the lens mounting plates; that should be a big help in evaluating this thing. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller re: negative carriers.

Looking around a little more, it sounds like the DV head has two fixed and one movable condenser - does that sound right?

I have a 75mm lens in addition to my 50s, so I bet I could use that for 35mm negatives - I don't print those very large, as a rule.

I'm sure my 23c has problems - I can't image them being so popular and all having the same issues as mine. Unfortunately, my attempts at tinkering, cleaning, retightening, and various parts swaps haven't solved either problem yet.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have a D2 with cold light that I've used for a few years -- I've printed negatives from 4x5 down to Minolta 16 (10x14mm image area), the latter using an Enlahead (negative carrier and 28mm lens together that mount in a 39mm thread) or a 110 negative carrier and 50mm lens. I've recently gotten a variable condenser head for it, which I haven't had time to install yet, and a D5 with dichroic head (which required hopefully-minor repairs). As noted, the D5 doesn't require cones for longer lenses, but does have the turret.

IMO, the Omega D series enlargers are some of the best until you start spending some serious money (like for the 8x10 DeVere with changeable light sources that The Naked Photographer shows on YouTube).

 

[Pieter12]

There are 3 condensers, on moveable and 2 fixed on either side of the aluminum cylinder above the negative stage. There is no filter drawer per se, filters go where the moveable condenser fits, either able or below depending on the condenser's position. Remember to adjust the lens bellows to match the focal length. I have had no problems with my D5XL, but I do recommend wall-mounting if possible and bracing the top to the wall as well. There are kits available but can be difficult to find. It is easy to make your own top brace.

 

[Pieter12]

I forgot to mention the nylon gears to raise and lower the head can wear or get damaged over time. KHB sells replacements.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Oh, that's nice. I should go order a set of those or two, since the ones on my D5 are a bit worn. I wonder if there's a 3D printer file available to make replacements?

 

[PFGS]

Oh, that's nice. I should go order a set of those or two, since the ones on my D5 are a bit worn. I wonder if there's a 3D printer file available to make replacements?

Or a shop that could machine some brass ones...

 

[MattKing]

Looking around a little more, it sounds like the DV head has two fixed and one movable condenser - does that sound right?

I have a 75mm lens in addition to my 50s, so I bet I could use that for 35mm negatives - I don't print those very large, as a rule.

That sounds right about the DV head.
I actually have a new DV head that I don't think has ever been used. It came with my D6 when I bought it used as a package.
If you have a lens plate for a 50mm lens, it will most likely work with a 60mm or even a 75mm lens too - the lens plate differences relate mostly to the lens thread size and how far back the lens extends from the the mounting point.
You may find that the enlarger you are looking at has a lower bellows which is sufficiently pliant to permit easy use of the 50mm lens you have.
75mm lenses are, more often than not, fairly basic 3 or 4 element lenses. You may prefer an upgraded 5 or 6 element 80mm lens instead.
As for completing the necessary kit, a "Want to Buy" ad here on Photrio is a good way to find things like Omega D series negative carriers. You will need a subscription, but the price is reasonable .
Negative carriers for Beseler 4x5 enlargers can also be made to work in a D5, albeit with slightly less convenience.
Too bad you aren't local - space considerations mean that I have had to put my extremely well accessorized D6 into storage.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Or a shop that could machine some brass ones...

But plastic gears keep the wear concentrate on the part that's cheaper and easier to replace.

 

[PFGS]

But plastic gears keep the wear concentrate on the part that's cheaper and easier to replace.

I was under the impression that brass did the same, but perhaps not if they are moving against aluminum instead of steel?

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a D3 and while in the Air Force used a D5 LX, the older style. The only downside to an older Omega D is you need lens cones for lens of various focal lengths while with a Bessler with a double condenser simpler to switch from format to formate. Once you a complete kit for each formate you shoot it is a very rugged and reliable beast. I've had my D3 for going on 40 years, and I bought it used.

 

[David Brown]

... I do recommend wall-mounting if possible and bracing the top to the wall as well. There are kits available but can be difficult to find. It is easy to make your own top brace.
View attachment 255151 View attachment 255153

Agreed. I used two wires with turnbuckles (into wall studs - don't just screw into sheetrock). The XL chassis for the D5 can vibrate like a giant tuning fork if not braced. Other wise, I never had a complaint about using my D5XL.

(I've also never had any issues printing 35mm with a Beseler 4x5. Just saying ...)

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a 4"x5" Chromega D5-XL for printing color and black & white 35mm, 120, and 4"x5" for years. Parts, lenses, ... are readily available.

 

[Doug Richardson]

I also have the D5-XL with the Ilford 500 MG head. Very stable, although I just found a support bracket in the classified section here, and very capable for every format that I shoot from 35mm to 4x5 with no slipping or drifting. Like the others have said, pay attention to the cones for the lenses that you use, if you aim for 4x5 you can use a 135 lens or a 150 lens, depending on how big you plan on printing, see the manual before hand for the description. I had to do the patient hunt for some of the negative carriers, but I found all I needed to round out my kit here in the classified section as well. So, if you need some 4x5 carriers or a turret, please let me know I now have extras. I hope that it all works out for you and have fun with it, if you get it.
-Doug

 

[jvo]

omega d series = simple, durable and easy = fun.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The Omega 5D-XL was what Kodak made available for its employees.

 

[plummerl]

In case you've not seen them, here is the D3/D5 manual:
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/OmegaD3andD5.pdf

… and Omega Service Manual (but only goes up to the D4):
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Tech Service Manual - Various.pdf

James Ollinger has a ton of info at: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/omega-d.html