Badris
Newbie
Greetings all. Posting here again after a very long absence, so hope everyone's well. I'm in the midst of sourcing stuff for a darkroom - missing it sorely after a decade long absence.
I checked out a Meopta Opemus 6 enlarger today, for sale with a 50/2.8 EL-Nikkor. All appeared fine and in good shape, until I moved the enlarger up the column to see if I can make 12x16" prints. Discovered that I just couldn't get a sharply focused image for anything above a 6x9" image. The seller and I took the enlarger apart and couldn't figure out why this is happening (she usually just prints at 5x7"), so I'm wondering:
- Does the condenser element assembly need to be flipped around if printing 35mm? I saw that the condenser assembly has one retaining ring holding it one way, but not the other - I'm wondering if its missing another retaining ring.
- is there an issue with the lens board perhaps? I forgot to check this part out, maybe it's reversible for different lenses?
Other thoughts, things I should look at? Kind of hard to find decent enlargers where I'm currently posted, so am hoping this is a minor issue, otherwise it's back on the hunt for me.
Thanks much!
Badris
I checked out a Meopta Opemus 6 enlarger today, for sale with a 50/2.8 EL-Nikkor. All appeared fine and in good shape, until I moved the enlarger up the column to see if I can make 12x16" prints. Discovered that I just couldn't get a sharply focused image for anything above a 6x9" image. The seller and I took the enlarger apart and couldn't figure out why this is happening (she usually just prints at 5x7"), so I'm wondering:
- Does the condenser element assembly need to be flipped around if printing 35mm? I saw that the condenser assembly has one retaining ring holding it one way, but not the other - I'm wondering if its missing another retaining ring.
- is there an issue with the lens board perhaps? I forgot to check this part out, maybe it's reversible for different lenses?
Other thoughts, things I should look at? Kind of hard to find decent enlargers where I'm currently posted, so am hoping this is a minor issue, otherwise it's back on the hunt for me.
Thanks much!
Badris
quejai
Established
I've got a Meopta Standard 2, which is similar to yours, and the lens is mounted to a metal disk that protrudes in one direction. You can take it out and reverse it, and it adjusts the distance from the lens to the negative, and thus the focus capabilities of the enlarger. It mightn't be the same as yours, but with it in the wrong position I have noticed the issue you describe.
Have fun with setting up your darkroom! I'm in the same boat, and still need to get trays, paper, developer, etc. And a 6x6 lens. I'm looking forward to it.
Have fun with setting up your darkroom! I'm in the same boat, and still need to get trays, paper, developer, etc. And a 6x6 lens. I'm looking forward to it.
Badris
Newbie
Thanks for that quejai, I'm really hoping this is the issue and an easy fix. Will check it out with the seller again in a day or so. Meanwhile, good luck with your darkroom!
MartinP
Veteran
The lens mounting ring and lens can be quickly removed from the focussing stage. The mounting ring is a sort of dome or cone shape, so that the lens can be mounted on either the concave or convex side. It sounds as though the lens is currently on the convex side so simply unscrew it, turn the mounting ring over, replace the lens in the concave side and refit to the focussing stage. This will move the lens almost 2cm closer to the negative and should result in an image that can be focussed.
In case you need anything for the enlarger, most spares (mounting rings, neg carriers etc.) are available from Fotoimpex.
In case you need anything for the enlarger, most spares (mounting rings, neg carriers etc.) are available from Fotoimpex.
Badris
Newbie
Thank you for the detailed response Martin, it's a huge help, and good to know I can still get spares for the enlarger.
Badris
Newbie
Greetings all, here's an update. I ended up buying the 50/2.8 EL-Nikkor lens...and pretty much had the Meopta enlarger thrown into the deal. The seller was leaving the country, and backpacking across Nepal with an enlarger in tow wasn't really her idea of fun.
Meanwhile, and as you guys pointed out, it was definitely the lens mounting ring that was causing the issue. All I need now is to find/make a decent baseboard.
Thanks again for the help!
Meanwhile, and as you guys pointed out, it was definitely the lens mounting ring that was causing the issue. All I need now is to find/make a decent baseboard.
Thanks again for the help!