Switching from LPL 4550 to Omega D2, thoughts?

adelorenzo · Apr 3, 2016

I have been happily using an LPL 4550 XLG with a dichroic colour head for B&W printing. However I was just given an Omega D2 with a complete Ilford Multigrade 500 head.

I think the LPL is a nicer enlarger but I really like the idea of being able to easily set contrast and having consistent exposure times with the Ilford head. So I'm leaning towards making the switch.

It looks like with slight modification to the D2 can use my LPL negative carriers. I may actually try to install my LPL masking unit on the Omega as well.

Thoughts? Experiences? Am I crazy?

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2016

I have a Chromega Dichroic II 5D-XL enlarger [with a color head] which I use to print multigrade black & white paper. The LPL color head can be used with multigrade paper by using the one or two filter tables supplied with RC and FB paper packages. I recommend that you use the enlarger which gives you the most capability and which you are comfortable using.

MattKing · Apr 3, 2016

There may be a mounting bracket that would permit transferring the Multigrade head to your LPL enlarger.

ic-racer · Apr 3, 2016

adelorenzo said:
easily set contrast and having consistent exposure times

You were not able to do that with the LPL? The major difference between the Ilford and LPL is the Ilford 500 is additive, but they both should be just as easy to use after calibration.

mike c · Apr 3, 2016

I have a LPL 4550 LG with the VCC module. This head has a shifting neutral density filter built in that keeps the exposure correct when changing the paper grades, but the VCC module cost more than the color module and is expensive new. So you scored with the D 2 with the Ilford Multigrade head.

adelorenzo · Apr 4, 2016

MattKing said:
There may be a mounting bracket that would permit transferring the Multigrade head to your LPL enlarger.

That would be nice but from what I can tell the LPL would be difficult to swap out the head. Not without doing some surgery, as far as I can tell.

adelorenzo · Apr 4, 2016

ic-racer said:
You were not able to do that with the LPL? The major difference between the Ilford and LPL is the Ilford 500 is additive, but they both should be just as easy to use after calibration.

With the LPL color head I manually dial in the contrast but with the higher contrast grades the exposure times increase.

With the Ilford unit you punch the contrast in right on the timer. It compensates light intensity to keep exposures th same. And it's super convenient, especially if you need to change contrast on the same print for burning/dodging or split grade.

adelorenzo · Apr 4, 2016

mike c said:
I have a LPL 4550 LG with the VCC module. This head has a shifting neutral density filter built in that keeps the exposure correct when changing the paper grades, but the VCC module cost more than the color module and is expensive new. So you scored with the D 2 with the Ilford Multigrade head.

Yes that was my original goal to get the VCCE module. But as you said, they are expensive and don't come around used often.

tedr1 · Apr 4, 2016

I have the LPL 45 K/IF VCCE module, it is a pleasure to use. On ebay.com seller westcosurplus has an LPL4500 head with the K/IF VCCE module included, he is asking $650 or best offer, the listing has been up a long time, sometimes people accept 50% offers, you might get a bargain, (and sell the D2)

PS there is a Nikon 135mm lens on the head worth $100

ic-racer · Apr 4, 2016

You can use the single lamp of the LPL to your advantage and achieve the same effect as the two variable intensity lamps of the Ilford head. By combining magenta and yellow filtration over the same bulb you can cut the effective light intensity of the bulb to achieve constant printing times across the grades.

Ronald Moravec · Apr 4, 2016

The print density at a constant time does not vary for middle grey. Whites and blacks do not stay the same. Same with color heads, black and white VC & filters.

Patrick Robert James · Apr 4, 2016

The LPL is a better enlarger, but if the Omega suits your needs, then use it.

I have a 4550 and a Focomat 35mm enlarger. On the 4550 I have the VCCE module. On the Focomat I use a 47/13 filter combo below the lens. I split print everything so it works great for me. Even on the 4550 I split print so I only ever use the 5 and 00. When I first bought the 4550 it had the color module on it and I didn't like printing that way at all. Too cumbersome. The VCCE module though is easy to use.

If you are thinking long term, the best case scenario would be to have the VCCE head for the 4550 and combine that with an RH Designs timer with the probe which would be basically the same as having the Ilford head on the 4550. That will cost you more, but again in the long term I think that is the best case scenario since you already have the 4550. On the other hand you could just sell the 4550 and buy a ton of paper if the Omega suits your needs well enough.

bdial · Apr 4, 2016

I've spent lots of time printing with Omega D's and I currently own a 4550 which I added a VCCE module to a couple of years ago.
Going from the LPL to an Omega is not a switch I'd consider though I've not used the Ilford head. If feasible, spend some time printing with each before you decide. With the color module, I used the yellow/magenta combinations to maintain speed consistency between grades and found that it worked pretty well. I made a chart with the settings and taped it to the front of the head, so it was easy to reference. I can send you a PDF of it if you like, shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Sirius Glass · Apr 4, 2016

bdial said:
I've spent lots of time printing with Omega D's and I currently own a 4550 which I added a VCCE module to a couple of years ago.
Going from the LPL to an Omega is not a switch I'd consider though I've not used the Ilford head. If feasible, spend some time printing with each before you decide. With the color module, I used the yellow/magenta combinations to maintain speed consistency between grades and found that it worked pretty well. I made a chart with the settings and taped it to the front of the head, so it was easy to reference. I can send you a PDF of it if you like, shoot me a PM if you're interested.

See the Bold. That is what I do. Ilford has a one filter and a two filter table. The one filter table has almost the same exposure on all grades; the two filter table has longer exposures for the higher grades.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Apr 4, 2016

adelorenzo said:
Thoughts? Experiences? Am I crazy?

You are indeed crazy. That's like trading in a BMW for a Pinto.

Why not just buy the VCCE module for the LPL, pop it in and ride off into the sunset?

EDIT: Just read your responses. VCCE module, like an f-stop timer, expensive, but worth every penny.

Heck, I'd just use the LPL with a #5 below the lens and split filter with white light. Sometimes I do that with the VCCE head anyway.

Marco Buonocore · Apr 5, 2016

I've been servicing Omega D2 and D5 enlargers all day - 29 in a group darkroom. I'm sure it'll offend some people who either A) use them happily or B) are easily offended - but those things are dreadful. How they became the standard for educational facilities is beyond me. They are clunky at best.

The 4550 is a dream comparatively . As others have said, if you can pony up for the VCCE head, do it. If you actually look under the hood and peep how the filters move on that head, it's a work of art. The fact that it's not tied to some crummy controller like the Ilford Multigrade heads are is a big bonus. Those controllers almost seem destined to fail; maybe I'm wrong.

At the very least, keep both for a period of time. Once the Omega starts to drive you nuts, you haven't lost anything but the hair you pulled out while using it. Then switch back to the LPL.

BTW, who in their right mind would put a modern head like the Multigrade 500 on a wobbly old D2? I've never heard of such a thing.

Ai Print · Apr 5, 2016

Would the person who gave you the D2 / Ilford head be upset if you sold or traded it for a VCCE head?
Because I own two 4550 XLG's with the VCCE heads and they are in my mind and experience, the best enlargers for B&W printing there is.

eddie · Apr 5, 2016

I went from a D2, to a D2v, to a Beseler 45MXT, to the LPL 4550XLG. The LPL is the best I've ever owned.

adelorenzo · Apr 6, 2016

Thanks for the replies everyone, you're definitely making me think twice now. I do really like the LPL.

I'm going to set the Omega up beside the LPL and we'll see how it goes. I still need to make a baseboard and do a few modifications to use my LPL carriers. I'm pretty keen to try that Ilford head out.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Apr 6, 2016

I'd throw the D2 on a table and do a dry run of fitting a negative, raising the head, focusing, etc. Try the goofy cone system lens boards by switching between a 50mm and 80mm lens a few times. Feel the (un)love from the hingeless negative carriers where you always have to put your dang finger on the negative to keep it in place. Ugh.

It's an unwieldy beast, a hairy sasquatch of an enlarger that should forever hide its face. The Ilford MG head may have its minor merits, but that D2 man, it's a dog, suitable only for the scrap heap.

Sell the Ilford head, dump the D2 and get a VCCE module. Find eternal bliss.

canuhead · Apr 8, 2016

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
...It's an unwieldy beast, a hairy sasquatch of an enlarger that should forever hide its face...

best reply ever in all the forums I'm on !

MattKing · Apr 8, 2016

ParkerSmithPhoto said:
It's an unwieldy beast, a hairy sasquatch of an enlarger.

In the Yukon, that might be interpreted as: "It has character".

I have a D6 with a Multigrade 400 head. It has the same roots as a D5, which itself has a common ancestry with the D2.

My D6 is robust and I find it very enjoyable to work with.

I was using a friend's Multigrade 500 head on her Beseler 4x5 today. I like it too.

BobMarvin11225 · Apr 11, 2016

I could say the same about my B8, which is pretty much, a 2/3rds sized D2. I can't imagine ever wanting a better enlarger [unless, maybe, if someone was giving a Leitz Focomat IIc away for free ]

Switching from LPL 4550 to Omega D2, thoughts?

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Switching from LPL 4550 to Omega D2, thoughts?

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