Setting up Omega Variable Condenser

PrairiePhotographer · Oct 22, 2023

I'd appreciate advice on setting up an Omega Variable Condenser. Until recently, I was using the Super Chromega D enlarger head for B/W that was installed on the used unit I bought. I recently decided to switch over to the condenser head that also came with the unit. The package came with an 80mm enlarging lens.

I use the enlarger for both 4x5 and 35mm, although presently I am trying to get things set up for 35mm. I bought a used 50mm enlarging lens for 35mm. It is mounted in a flat lens holder. I lowered the condenser lens to position 3 (lowest position) in the filter chamber (or whatever that area is called where the filter can be placed). I am able to get nice prints, but two things don't seem quite right. First, I cannot lower the entire enlarging head far enough down to get small prints -- I run out of track on the angled support beam. The smallest I can achieve is approximately 5x7.

Second, to achieve focus, the bellows is nearly fully compressed. It is squeezed up to nearly its highest position.

I measured the condenser carrier, which is 3.5 inches tall.

I suspect I am missing something basic. Hopefully this is simple a dumb mistake on my part. Thanks for any advice.

Paul Howell · Oct 22, 2023

I have a D3, for smallish prints I use a 75 to 80mm lens, not sure about the bellows, I don't seem to have that problem. My bellows is never at the top of the highest position. Might be that when making 5X7 and smaller prints with a 50mm the focus is such that the bellows is compressed as tight it will go. If you have the 80mm it should fit the flat lens board, the condenser remains in the bottom position and you be able to make small prints with ease. Matter of fact, if I were to make say 4X5 I would use a 90mm.

chuckroast · Oct 23, 2023

There's nothing wrong with your enlarger. You cannot get much below 8x10 with a 50mm lens. I routinely use a 80mm lens when enlarging 35mm negs. For really small prints, I resort to a 100mm lens.

Huub · Oct 23, 2023

chuckroast said:
There's nothing wrong with your enlarger. You cannot get much below 8x10 with a 50mm lens. I routinely use a 80mm lens when enlarging 35mm negs.

+ 1

Don_ih · Oct 23, 2023

The minimum magnification for a 50mm lens in the flat mount on a D3 is 5.2x.

Ian C · Oct 23, 2023

Regarding post #1:

Which Omega enlarger are you using?

Using the Omega D2 as an example, the magnification range of an 50 mm lens mounted on the 421-100 flat lens disc is 5.2X. If you enlarged a 35 mm negative (24 mm x 36 mm) using a full-view glass carrier, the smallest projection is 124.8 mm x 187.2 mm = 4.9” x 7.3”.

This is given on page 6 of the D2 manual. Page 7 shows the four different condenser positions for the variable condenser unit in use with the range of focal lengths for which it’s intended.

The minimum projection with an 80 mm lens is given as 2X on a flat lens disc. That give a 35 mm negative projection of 48 mm x 72 mm. = 1.9” x 2.8”.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/D2 Condenser and Dichro.pdf

MattKing · Oct 23, 2023

Don_ih said:
The minimum magnification for a 50mm lens in the flat mount on a D3 is 5.2x.

And that is presuming a bellows that responds normally to compression. With a lot of these enlargers, the bellows is fairly stiff at that end of the range.
With my D6 - early version - it was just a lot easier to use a 60mm lens.

Rick A · Oct 23, 2023

PrairiePhotographer said:
I'd appreciate advice on setting up an Omega Variable Condenser. Until recently, I was using the Super Chromega D enlarger head for B/W that was installed on the used unit I bought. I recently decided to switch over to the condenser head that also came with the unit. The package came with an 80mm enlarging lens.

I use the enlarger for both 4x5 and 35mm, although presently I am trying to get things set up for 35mm. I bought a used 50mm enlarging lens for 35mm. It is mounted in a flat lens holder. I lowered the condenser lens to position 3 (lowest position) in the filter chamber (or whatever that area is called where the filter can be placed). I am able to get nice prints, but two things don't seem quite right. First, I cannot lower the entire enlarging head far enough down to get small prints -- I run out of track on the angled support beam. The smallest I can achieve is approximately 5x7.

Second, to achieve focus, the bellows is nearly fully compressed. It is squeezed up to nearly its highest position.

I measured the condenser carrier, which is 3.5 inches tall.

I suspect I am missing something basic. Hopefully this is simple a dumb mistake on my part. Thanks for any advice.

Your variable condenser is in the correct position for a 50mm lens, and you cannot get smaller than 5x7 is also correct. For 8x10 and smaller prints use the 80mm and set the variable condenser to the middle slot.

Paul Howell · Oct 23, 2023

Why the middle slot, mine is marked for 90 to 105?

PrairiePhotographer · Oct 23, 2023

Thank you for all the information. Answering Ian's question, the side of the condenser says "Omega Condenser Lamphouse Type D". I don't see any further designation that points towards D-3 or any other specific model.

Thank you, Don and Ian, for pointing out the magnification tables. I now remember seeing that table when I was troubleshooting, but didn't realize what it meant. I enjoy learning these details.

I'll forge ahead with both the 50mm and 80mm lenses, depending on print size.

Rick A · Oct 24, 2023

Paul Howell said:
Why the middle slot, mine is marked for 90 to 105?

Sorry, I use a 90mm not an 80, habit. Anyway, use the longer focus lens and raise the head to get more work space under lens. The only time I print 35mm (these days) is to make an occasional post card from an old negative.

Ian C · Oct 24, 2023

"Omega Condenser Lamphouse Type D" identifies the model of the lamphouse. It does not specify the enlarger.

You can use the following page to identify which model of Omega enlarger you own. From your description, likely candidates are DII, D2, D5 or D6.

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers.htm

PrairiePhotographer · Oct 24, 2023

Thanks for the additional info. Mine looks like a D3, so now I know min and max print sizes from the table above.

Paul Howell · Oct 24, 2023

If you have D3 does it still the auto focus rails? If so you need to make sure you lens match the rails. I have a D3, but over the years the original lens had been swapped out so just removed the rails as the AF was lost.

PrairiePhotographer · Oct 25, 2023

I don’t see any lens rails. It would be cool to experiment with Omega”s autofocus, but I don’t think it has it

Rick A · Oct 25, 2023

Ollinger's Guide to Photographic Enlargers: Simmon Omega D Series Enlargers

A short guide to and description of Simmon Omega D series enlargers.

www.jollinger.com

Ian C · Oct 25, 2023

The D3 and D4 autofocus enlargers must have a dedicated linear cam (focus track) to focus the lens.

Here is part of the D3 manual. Unfortunately, it’s incomplete.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/OmegaD3andD5.pdf

Here is a complete older D4 manual (which is mostly the same as the D3). It shows installing and using the autofocus tracks (linear focusing cams).

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Chromega D4.pdf

Both the D3 and D4 need a specific track for each make and model of lens (see “LENSES AND LENS MOUNTS” page 11).

The D4 in this manual is shown with the obsolete Chromega color head that used dyed acetate filters for color printing. These filters faded with use and had to be replaced periodically. The filters been discontinued for decades.

Paul Howell · Oct 25, 2023

If you don't have rails or the attachment points if the rails were removed then you have a D2. Finding a D3 or 4 with the matching lens might be difficult.

Setting up Omega Variable Condenser

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