Revitalizing my Omega D2 Enlarger

[Nokton48]

Twenty years ago I used this Omega D-2 to print B&W 16x20's from 4x5 negs. I had a nice darkroom in my apartment at the time, which was in a very large walk-in closet/storage space. I used the 180mm Rodagon lens and the Omegalite head to make the Kodak Ektalure prints. My brother in law built for me this custom made enlarging bench, from plans in Peterson's Photographic magazine. It's fantastic with a built-in paper safe and drops down enough to print 20x24.

I'm interested in getting this going again, so I started reading up on it. And I just purchased a Versalab (Laser) Enlarging Alignment tool, for speedy and accurate aligning of all three image planes. Here's my enlarger (darkroom is now in my basement). I use the Peak/Omega Focusing Magnifier to examine the grain in the negatives. It will be fun to get this going again. It's very dusty. Next project is to add thumbscrews to the lens cones, so the lenses can be easily aligned.

On the left, is my D2.
On the right, you can see how I added thumbscrews to adjust the neg stage quickly.

Anybody here use the Versalab laser?

 

[tkamiya]

I do....

I have two D2s here. It is not necessary to use thumb screws though. Once they are set, they stay at that setting. Also, there are enough sags and plays, always accurate calibration is not possible. If you set it, raise it, then lower it, it is out of calibration. But, they do stay in "good enough for purpose intended" range.

Also, there is no adjustment at lens cone.

Basically, you set the neg stage plane to the lens plane. Also, the whole head tilts by adjusting non-concentric disk, and tilts side ways by loosening screws holding aluminum bars behind the head.

I should have a factory how-to somewhere if you want it.

 

[Nokton48]

Thanks for the info.

I found this mod on the internet (maybe it was in the archives here) and thumbscrews are added so the lens plane can be adjusted. A circle of rubber mouse pad goes between the lens disc and the lensboard. It seems like a nice refinement, will have to see how it works out. If I end up not liking it, I will just put it back the way it was.

Here's my 50mm F4 Schneider Componon with the mod added.

 

[Nokton48]

http://jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Tech Service Manual - Various.pdf

Yes! I have got that.

Thank You!

 

[Sirius Glass]

http://jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Tech Service Manual - Various.pdf

Good reference material.

Also check out: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/

 

[Neal]

Dear Nokton48,

First, welcome back. Next, the Versalab laser is the best accessory I've ever purchased. You will love it. Finally, the only problem I've ever run into with my Omega is getting the negative stage out of square. I've never bent it permanently but I have been quite pleased with my alignment only to look up and see the negative carrier sitting on 2 spots rather than flat.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

 

[Nokton48]

Hey Neal,

Thanks for that. I will have to watch for the neg stage going out of square.
Guess there is some flexing there, eh?

Here I've modified three of my lensboards with the thumbscrews. I bought a box of 50 screws for McMaster-Carr so I am set forever. And you can see I have my Versalab Laser now. I unpacked it to check that the glass is OK (mine is) and the laser fires up so I am good to go.

Need to clean and dust the enlarger (including all the new metal frags I have created) and see how all of this is going to work. I'm also cutting out some custom sized D2 neg carriers, right now working one one for the full-frame Plaubel Makiflex. This is 9x12cm film with an unusual sized footprint on the neg.

I am pleased.

 

[Nokton48]

OK I am done with the "lens bank" phase of this project. Everything is now finished and ready to use. From the back left, the 180mm F5.6 Componon , my old 180mm f5.6 Rodenstock Rodagon (well used by me), the 150mm f5.6 Componon, the 135mm F5.6 Componon, From the front left, the 105mm F5.6 Componon, the 80mm f5.6 Componon, the 60mm f5.6 Componon, and the 50mm F4 Componon. I'm confident these Componons will do the job for me, from 35mm film to 4x5".

Notice that all of these have the four thumbscrews, which will allow lens board alignment to the film carrier and paper, by using the laser. I have yet to start playing with it but now I am ready for it.