Darkroom Renovation Phase 1

Omega DII No 2 renovation started by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's Omega DII No 2 finally here and renovation started. So far I have removed eight old plastic bushings, and replaced them with four brass and vinyl tubing idler bearings, and four load bearing radial ball bearings. The old plastic rollers were out of round and very worn, this is a very sweet upgrade. The column now slides up and down smooth as silk.

Will need a few important parts, not surprisingly. Luckily my friend has a box full of Omega DII parts :)

Omega DII Column Replacement Bushings by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
Glen Helen Yellow Springs 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr


Enlarged onto 8x10 Arista Ultra EDU #2 graded paper, using Modern Enlarging Systems Model II LED head as light source.
Uber bright LED light source, blue LEDS only (for graded paper use). Which I happen to prefer right now.

5 seconds at F32 enlarging time. development in Ilford Multigrade developer. Using vintage Omega Omegalite circuline bulb exposure time same height 35 secs at F16.

Glen Helen Yellow Springs waterfall
Sinar Norma 4x5 HP5 D76
 
Omega DII Second Enlarger rebuild by Nokton48, on Flickr

The DII chassis on the right, I picked up last weekend. It turns out it has a couple of issues I can't resolve, so I went to another friend, and bought a second DII chassis, this one needs cleaned up but will work properly. The first chassis I will keep for parts as these units are not expensive.

I spent the afternoon cleaning with 0000 steel wool, fine sandpaper, and various cleaners. Tomorrow I should be able to complete this second enlarger and move on with getting it installed on my new drop table.

Dirty job! :)
 
I have two 4x5 Omega DII enlargers, each fit to a homemade 16x20 drop table. This allows me to work as I need to, at comfortable heights.

The enlarger at the left, has a circuline Omegalite head, my fave for making small 8x10 prints. 150mm Rodenstock Rodagon f5.6 printing 8x10s from 4x5s currently.

The enlarger on the right, is new to me, about 90% restored and now usuable. It has a Modern Enlarging Systems Model 2 blue LED head, and a 180mm Rodenstock Rodagon on it. The LED head is uber bright, about 150 watts worth. I will use this rig for making bigger prints. Also notice the Laser Align on the easel. I check focus planes each time I move the carrier up or down.

Omega DII with drop table added by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
I need to make a light for exposing 8x10 contact prints. I have many 8x10 negs from 25 years ago to print. I am thinking Lomida souped in Ansco 130 to start. I'm also thinking about using the box to split filter 8x10 contact print with fibre VC paper. I do have a set of large Multigrade filters I bought for this purpose.

Also maybe a 5x7 Omega E6 with Omegalite head. About time I got busy with my 5x7 Norma.............. I have all the big chrome Componons up to 360mm.

I'm totally comfortable using graded paper, right now I prefer it.

16x20 is as big as I will ever go.
 
I took an inventory this weekend, and I have PLENTY of everything on hand to make my two favorite fibre paper developers.

Ansco 130

Water 125F 750cc
Metol (Elon) 2.2 gm
Sodium Sulphite 50 gm
Hydroquinone 11 gm
Sodium Carbonate 78 gm
Potassium Bromide 5.5 gm
Glycin 11 gm
Water to make 1 liter
Add pinch SS to water, then rest in order


Ansco 113

Amidol 6.6 gm
Sodium Sulphite 44 gm
Potassium Bromide 55 gm
Water to make 1 liter
Add SS and PB, then Amidol

I have some old Fortezo 8x10 #2 Matte, some old Agfa Brovira, and fifty sheets of 8x10 Ektalure, also 11x14 and 16x20 Ektalure.

Ordered from Photographers Formulary, fresh PMK and TF4, Dr Beers variable contrast paper developer, and their version of Selectol Soft. Also I have some old Ektonol that might still be good.
 
Nokton48, Sodium Carbonate is sold as "Ph up" in Walmart in the garden dept for swimming pools and as Arm & Hammer Washing soda. Cheaper than Formulary.
 
Thanks I bought several pounds of citric acid food grade, very cheaply on Ebay. For when I run out of indicator stop bath.

TomA told me to get a big box of 20 Mule Team Borax. Works great. Lasts forever
 
Ansco 130 was my print developer of choice too. Got better with age and I always seasoned a new batch with a quart of old developer. Lasts forever.
 
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