Simmons Omega B22 XL

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

I have contemplated putting together a small dark room. It would not see a lot of use, but would be fun to try out. I found a Simmons Omega B22 XL on Craigslist for $60. I'm not 100% of everything that it comes with. The seller used it during his grad school days. I do know that it has two lenses (50mm and 75mm f 3.5) and the negative trays for both 6x6 and 35mm film. It also has the adjustable paper holder.

Is this worth following up on? Is the price good? And are there questions that I should make sure that I ask? I currently shoot 35mm and 120 (6x6). I don't see myself going to any other formats.

Once I have an enlarger, what other costs would I incur setting up a small darkroom?

darkroommike · Aug 30, 2017

If the B22 is complete and has two lenses of good quality $60.00 would be OK. You also need carriers for the formats you plan to print: 35mm and 6x6 for a start (my understanding is that the 645 carrier for this model is pretty rare). There should also be a small supplementary condenser for 35mm that sits on top of the regular pair of condensers to make 35mm printing faster, not essential but nice to have.

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

He said that it has the carrier for 6x6. And I assume, and would know before purchasing that it has the 35mm carrier. 35mm is what he used it for.

How do I know if the lenses are of good quality? I asked about fungus and haze, he said they didn't appear to have any.

What would a good/great price be for this setup?

Rick A · Aug 30, 2017

Go see it in person. Have the seller plug it in and show you how it works, and make sure both lenses are clean and function properly. Then offer him $30, and be prepared to dicker. Worst thing that can happen, you pay asking price. Actually, the worst thing that can happen is you buy an enlarger, then the addiction begins.

mgb74 · Aug 30, 2017

punkzter said:
He said that it has the carrier for 6x6. And I assume, and would know before purchasing that it has the 35mm carrier. 35mm is what he used it for.

How do I know if the lenses are of good quality? I asked about fungus and haze, he said they didn't appear to have any.

What would a good/great price be for this setup?

That enlarger often came with Rodenstock El-Omegar lenses. Those are very basic 3-element lenses; but with the price of darkroom equipment today you can do much better at relatively little cost. Those Omegar lenses might be ok for starting out with enlargements up to 8x10.

Personally, I think $60 for the B22 is slightly high unless it has at least one decent lens, has the 35mm condenser, and both negative carriers (as noted). My guess is that the easel (paper holder) is a basic 2-blade 8x10 model. Also, so many enlargers were stored in damp basements and are dirty and rusty. If this isn't, it's worth a bit more.

Assuming:

you're in a major metro area
the enlarger has the 2 Omegar lenses on lensboards, the supplementary condenser and 2 negative carriers
the bulb is working
isn't missing any parts
is clean and set up (i.e. not pieces in a box) so you can make sure that it operates smoothly

then I'd say $40-45 is reasonable.

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

It's in Pittsburgh. I live in Harrisburg, but will be visiting this weekend.

It was stored in the basement, that much I know. I'll be sure to check it for rust.

So what would a good/decent lens be for this one?

Rick A · Aug 30, 2017

punkzter said:
It's in Pittsburgh. I live in Harrisburg, but will be visiting this weekend.

It was stored in the basement, that much I know. I'll be sure to check it for rust.

So what would a good/decent lens be for this one?

Is it this one with no pics? Offer half the asking price, don't go higher than $35. Chances are it has the original El Omegar crap lenses and needs a thorough scrub down.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pho/d/simmons-omega-b22xl-enlarger/6277007178.html

mgb74 · Aug 30, 2017

punkzter said:
It's in Pittsburgh. I live in Harrisburg, but will be visiting this weekend.

It was stored in the basement, that much I know. I'll be sure to check it for rust.

So what would a good/decent lens be for this one?

There are a lot of good lenses. El-Nikkor 50mm f4, El Nikkor 75mm, Schneider Componar are good. El Nikkor 50mm f2.8, El Nikkor 80mm, Schneider Componon are better. Then there are variations that get too detailed to list.

But if the enlarger comes with the Omegar lenses, use those first to make sure you want to proceed. Buy a box of 5x7 paper and practice. Don't forget you need a bunch of other small stuff (VC filters, timer, trays, safelights, etc).

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

Okay. I'll find out some of that information. I've been shooting film for a year now, mostly having fun taking family pictures, so I'm not sure how serious I want to get. I still have my stuff developed and scanned by dwayne's. I thought that, if it was a great deal, I'd jump on it and just get rid of it or sell it later if I changed my mind. But it's sounding like this might be one to pass on.

I'll find out about the lenses. And worst case, just see the general condition this weekend. I don't mind cleaning it myself..unless it's rusty.

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

or has mildew/mold....the stuff gives me a headache.

faberryman · Aug 30, 2017

Sixty dollars is a fair price for a local B22XL with negative carriers and enlarging lenses. It would cost more than that to ship one you found cheaper elsewhere. Omegars are perfectly good lenses. You can always upgrade later. It is compact and perfect for a small darkroom. Grab it and get started.

MattKing · Aug 30, 2017

faberryman said:
You can always upgrade later.

In fact, you can easily and inexpensively upgrade the lenses later.
A working B22 XL is a great place to start. $60 is around the cost of a 100 sheet box of 8x10 RC paper. The sooner you start learning on that (or another) box of paper, the better.

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

so, the key to finding out if it is working is to show that the bulb turns on, and then all of the knobs work correctly? that and the lenses?

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

Before I go further, I had better make sure that there is a spot in my house where I can do this, right? And without opening a whole can of worms, ventilation is important, right?

MattKing · Aug 30, 2017

punkzter said:
Before I go further, I had better make sure that there is a spot in my house where I can do this, right? And without opening a whole can of worms, ventilation is important, right?

Ventilation is important, but for most tasks normal movement of air is enough.
My temporary darkroom is a bathroom. I use the bathroom humidity extraction fan, but simply opening the door reasonably regularly is enough.
Some of the chemicals smell more than others, but there are generally low odour versions available. For example, I prefer the Ilford citric acid based stop bath for printing for that very reason.
Take a look at the Temporary Darkroom thread here on APUG\Photrio for ideas on what can be done.
It is here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/index...nd-other-temporary-makeshift-darkrooms.35581/

faberryman · Aug 30, 2017

Darkroom perfection is unattainable for all but the very few. I don't have running water, for example, but if you are determined you can make it work. Get the enlarger. If things ultimately don't work out or you lose interest, you will probably be able to sell it without a loss. We are not really talking about a lot of money. The important thing is to get started.

paul ron · Aug 30, 2017

just one thing to check if you plan to do 35mm.. there is a small condenser that sits on to of the2 large condensers. otherwise, that's a real bargain. its a very nice enlarger, it was my very first as a kid. my son took it for college n passed it on to another family member who passed it to another family member. its still being used today. we decided it will be the only thing to be passed down through the generations.

jimjm · Aug 30, 2017

If the enlarger appears undamaged and all the parts are there, then $60 seems like a fair price with lens. I used one of these for about 10 years for 35mm and 6x6 printing - it gave great results and was reliable and sturdy. Mine came with a 50mm Omicron-El lens which was reasonably good, but if you keep your eye out you should be able to find a Nikkor or Schneider lens for cheap. I have a copy of the user manual (jpeg images) if you need it, just send me a PM. I also have a set of Ilford Multigrade filters cut to fit the filter drawer of the B22, which I would be happy to send you for the cost of shipping.

Jim

pinholer · Aug 30, 2017

FWIW. My XL measures 50 1/4 inches from the bottom of the baseboard to the top of the spring housing. Now what did you say the distance from the top of your bench to the ceiling was?

punkzter · Aug 30, 2017

wow...that's tall. I'll check tonight, but I should be fine.

Jim Jones · Aug 30, 2017

The quality of El-Omegar lenses seems to vary. I've used one that was terrible. I used a B22 XL for years until the darkroom burned down, and loved it. Unlike some enlargers, it can be adjusted to ensure that the lens board, baseboard, and film carrier are parallel. This also means that these adjustments can be out. Readjustment isn't difficult. The B22 uses a small enlarging lamp that may be fairly expensive now. Running the enlarger at voltage reduced by a few volts lengthens lamp life.

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