Used Super Chromega C760 Dichroic Enlarger -- what to look for?

hpulley · Dec 2, 2010

I want to get into MF up to 6x7 so I'm looking at new enlargers. I also thought I might try color at some point. My current enlarger is an old Durst M-300 with an El-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 and just a filter drawer for the VC/MG filters so I'm afraid I don't really know what to look for with medium format and color enlargers.

I'm going to be checking out a Super Chromega C760 Dichroic Enlarger tonight. What should I watch for? At this site, http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/ it mentions a service bulletin and a technical memo, mentions the light seal but I can't find the bulletin or the memo. Does anyone know what I should check before I buy it? The lady doesn't sound very knowledgeable, didn't know the focal length of the lens so I assume the person who used it isn't around to ask anymore, thus I'm going to be pretty much on my own in deciding whether or not to take it home. I hope the lens focal length is longer than 50mm and that it has the MF negative carrier, otherwise I may not bother unless people think the parts for this one are easy to track down. I assume I need something like 105mm at least for 6x7. I didn't see a whole lot on ebay when I looked.

Thanks for any hints. Need the info in about 8 hours at the latest.

ic-racer · Dec 2, 2010

If you look at the KHB site, all parts with a "C" are current, and could theoretically be purchased new. That enlarger has quite a few "C" parts.
Seals are just foam rubber, should be no problem to replace if bad.
Make sure the power supply works and the knobs move the filters in and out (check for the color change of the light).
Bonuses would be if it had both 35mm and 6x7 mixing boxes, extra carriers and lenses and lensboards, but these items can be found on US ebay frequently (its a USA-made enlarger so many parts are available on this side of the border).

If it is like new and cheap, and the light works, just grab it and pick up a good lens and negative carriers from e-bay. When did you look for 105 lenses? There are 21 listings for 105mm enlarging lenses on USA ebay today.

hpulley · Dec 2, 2010

Thanks! Yes, I saw that even the lamphouse and its 'voltage stabilizer' (just another word for transformer or powersupply I guess) are in current production which is good to see along with the full frame 35mm and larger carriers though I'd need to scrounge up 126 and 110 carriers as I can only seem to get colour film for them these days.

Anyone know how expensive the quartz halogen lamps are? Standard part like opal tungsten bulbs or specialized? Says current but is it similar to a halogen bulb you can get for a stove or is it just for enlargers?

martyryan · Dec 2, 2010

I have owned a C760 color head for many years, the lamps are readily available and cost about $13, the power supply is in the head and is just a half wave rectifier to drop the voltage to 82v. The voltage stabilizer provides a constant voltage to the head regardless of line voltage changes, it is not necessary for the use of the head.
The service bulletin about problems with the unit pertains to only the first year or two of production, I bought mine in 1981 and it doesn't have any problems.

Marty

hpulley · Dec 2, 2010

Thanks Marty! OK then it just sounds like I need to worry about whether the focus and height adjustment works and the power supply seems to work. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

pschauss · Dec 2, 2010

If you are planning to use it for 6x7 make certain that it comes with the appropriate sized difuser box. The difuser box (is that the correct name for it?) is a small box which looks like it is made out of styrofoam and sits inside of the color head. If the enlarger comes only with the 35mm size and you have to buy a 6x7, they tend to be expensive. Also, verify that it has negative carriers for the negative sizes that you will be printing.

I believe that the service bulletin recommends that you remove the color head when inserting a negative carrier instead of trying to slide it past the light seals. At least that seems to be the best way to do it on mine. Mine has no mechanism for lifting the head to insert a negative carrier.

martyryan · Dec 2, 2010

The enlarger has a spring loaded base where the neg carrier is inserted, I always just pressed down on the carrier as I inserted it until it clicked in place, I have had to replace the foam light seals a couple of times from wear as I inserted the carrier and removed it. I would not remove the head, every time you do you need to align it.

Marty

hpulley · Dec 2, 2010

Thanks guys, I'll try to check. I hope it is set up for 6x7, it sounds like otherwise it may not be worth it.

Rick A · Dec 2, 2010

Its a shame you are in Canada, I have the Super Chromega 67 XL set-up you want, and I am going to sell it for a reasonable price.

mwdake · Dec 2, 2010

Being more of an amateur type enlarger I don't think many people used it much for 6x7 which tends to be more of a professional format; at least that is the way I see it.

I used a C700 for a while, I still have it, I found the 6x7 stuff for it not too easy to find.
When I was hunting for a 6x7 carrier and a 6x7 light chamber I was not going to pay the lofty prices of them new and had to have patience to eventually find them used at a good price.

Keep in mind the head on the C700 and C760 are essentially the same, I finally got my 6x7 light chamber by buying a complete used head with the chamber in it for $10. BTW the negative carriers are not interchangeable.

good luck

hpulley · Dec 2, 2010

ralnphot said:
Its a shame you are in Canada, I have the Super Chromega 67 XL set-up you want, and I am going to sell it for a reasonable price.

I can send you my postal code if you want to see if the shipping isn't too bad.

I didn't buy the one tonight, it was 35mm only and not in good shape at all. 35mm crummy lens, 35mm carrier, 35mm in the mixing box... not what I was looking for

Rick A · Dec 3, 2010

PM sent about Super Chromega kit.

Used Super Chromega C760 Dichroic Enlarger -- what to look for?

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