Source for Chromega D mixing boxes?

Jeff Bannow · May 5, 2009

Anyone got a reasonable source for Omega Chromega D or D II mixing boxes? These are the square plastic boxes to redirect the light down to the negative.

Alternately, is it safe to use the 4x5 mixing box for all negative sizes?

Sirius Glass · May 5, 2009

jbannow said:
Anyone got a reasonable source for Omega Chromega D or D II mixing boxes? These are the square plastic boxes to redirect the light down to the negative.

Alternately, is it safe to use the 4x5 mixing box for all negative sizes?

I only use one and it is good for 35mm, 6x6, 6x7, ..., up to 4x5. It is one of those one size fits all.

Steve

Jeff Bannow · May 5, 2009

I guessed as much, but there must have been a reason they made different sized boxes. You haven't had any issues with stray light and such?

Bob-D659 · May 5, 2009

With the smaller sized boxes, you get more light thru the smaller negative, that sort of makes up for the lower light levels at higher magnifications. Durst even made a thick diffuser plate for the 35mm size box to reduce the light level from the small mixer box.

fschifano · May 5, 2009

Yeah, that's the only downside to using only the 4x5 mixing chamber. With small negatives and big enlargements, printing times can get a bit long. For normal use, there's absolutely no need for the smaller mixing box. The Chromega head is plenty bright with its 250 watt halogen lamp. I need to use the LOW setting most of the time with mine when making prints up to 11 x 14 from 35 mm negatives just to keep the printing times from getting too short. That lamp has a noticeable ramp down time and it is difficult to time short exposures accurately.

Bob-D659 · May 5, 2009

The Durst CLS450 head I got came with an 80 watt 30 volt bulb. I did replace it with the stock 250 watt 24 volt one and after getting tired real quick of sub 6 second exposures at f16-22, I went back to the 80 watt bulb for 35mm negs.

Mike Wilde · May 6, 2009

KHB photographics here in Misissauga has paerts for all sorts of enlargers. Their prices are full line, but if you need a part, they have it, or will make it for you. Kevin always gives excellent service, and there a number of other guys in the shop that know thier stuff as well, such as bringing studio flash back to life.

Oren Grad · May 6, 2009

The other guy to check with for Omega D stuff is Harry Taylor:

http://www.classic-enlargers.com/omega_d2v_enlarger.htm

Jeff Bannow · May 6, 2009

Any idea what the prices are for these? $50 is doable, but $250 is not worth it.

Oren Grad · May 6, 2009

jbannow said:
Any idea what the prices are for these? $50 is doable, but $250 is not worth it.

That may be tough, unless you get lucky on eBay. The way the market is today, retail prices for enlarger parts tend to be disproportionately expensive - sometimes very disproportionately expensive - compared to complete enlargers.

FWIW, with my LPL 4500II I get away with using the 4x5 mixing box for all formats. Whether you need to concentrate the light for smaller formats depends on how bright your lamp is and how big you want to print.

Jeff Bannow · May 6, 2009

I have one 6x9 mixing box as well, so that might be enough then.

fschifano · May 7, 2009

The 4x5 box will most likely be more than enough. With the 6x7 box, you are all set. I can almost guarantee that you won't ever need the smaller box. I have a 6x7 box, and as I implied earlier, have no real use for it. It buys me maybe about 1/2 stop faster exposure times. Not a big deal really in the scheme of things. That is, unless you're planning to crank out many, many copies of the same print on a production line.

Source for Chromega D mixing boxes?

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