Please help with Omega D series

[Roma]

Hello,
Someone donated an Omega Chromega D6 enlarger to me and it's in a pretty bad shape. I cleaned the frame and installed it on a decent table. The Dichroic head is pretty rusty and didn't come on when I tried to turn it on yesterday. I'm not sure it it's a problem with connecting the timer to the main power supply. The fan starts spinning, but no light.

Anyway, I'll be making black and white prints and want to try the condensor or cold light head with it.
Can you please recommend something for this enlarger? I do like using filters for contrast adjustment and have a set of Ilford filters, but I understand that there are heads out there that have some built it filters.

Please bear in mind that I currently have the Dichroic head and will need the entire head assembly for the condensor or cold light head.
I looked at some Aristo cold light heads, but don't know crap about them.

Maybe you'll recommend that I get a whole new enlarger. I'll want to make 16x20 inch prints.
Thank you for your help!
Roman

 

[Trius]

IMO, cold light is the way to go. Ditch the dichroic unless you want to use it for colour, but I know NOTHING about getting the dichroic fixed.

The colour balance of cold light is different than condensor/tungsten, so filtration for vc papers will be different. Should be an interent resource for that somewhere.

Cold light is generally inherently lower contrast, so development needs to adjusted accordingly.

 

[Richard Marks]

Dear Roman

There are a number of different D models. Im not sure if this is precisely the same as mine but | will try and help. When you press 'print' or focus on the timer unit (second switch along) you should hear a humming noise which is the current being directed to the head. If you are getting this, its likely the probelm is actually in the head. I assume you have tested the bulb? These are pretty straightforward enlargers and not really much to go wrong. Incidentally there should be a cube shaped diffusor in the lamp house. there are slightly different ones for different formats. It prduces lovelly light.

Regards


Richard

 

[Finder]

Is the bulb OK with the dichoric head? You can use the color filtration to change the contast for B&W printing - most papers come with filtration recommendations. This gives you lots of flexibility. It also lets you do color if you ever want to.

 

[Roma]

Thanks Trius, Richard and Finder!
Yes, I get the humming noise and the problem appears to be with the lamp and the lamp socket. The enlarger was kept in bad environment before I got it and is rusty and filthy. It was free though, so I can't really complain to the original owner.
I got pricing on both of those components for $50.
I'm now wondering if I should just get a good used D6 condenser head instead. We'll see.
Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your input. It was very valuable.

Roman

 

[kbg32]

Most model Ds take the same condenser heads thought there were different models of the heads. I wouldn't bother fixing the dichroic head at all. Not worth it unless it is something simple.

 

[Richard Marks]

It really is worth trying a bulb!
Its a very nice enlarger. If you got it for free you really cant complain!
Changing the hed may also mean changing the timer etc etc so worth doing a few minor things. If you have a voltmeter it would be easy to check there is current flow to the bulb assembly whe n the timer is set to focus. (if you are familier with a voltmeter). This would give you some confidence before spending on a bulb.
Regards
Richard

 

[drewbarb]

Certainly check the lamp. Sounds like you might need to thoroughly clean the socket and other internal bits, too. I'd keep the dichroic head over going to a condenser head, but I hate condensers, and would rather print with any difused source for better dust suppression and better controlled contrast.

Cold light heads are superb for printing, and are the first choice of many of the best printers in the world. Aristo makes excellent cold light heads, and the basic ones can be had quite cheaply, both new and used. Both they and Zone VI make very nice variable contrast versions, which are really excellent, but expensive. Personally, I am a fan of the (sadly) now discontinued Ilford variable contrast system heads. I have one mounted to an Omega D5XL chassis, and this is far and away the nicest set-up I have ever used. I do a primarily split-contrast printing, so this system makes it easy. It features timer and filtration adjustments built into one control pad, a bright diffused light source powered by two 300W Halogen bulbs, which provide great even coverage with good dust supression, and the power control unit provides regulated current to keep the light output constant. I recommend looking into one of these systems- they can tough to find, but are well worth the effort, IMO.

Whatever you choose, good luck. The Omega chassis is one of the best you can get, and with a good light source you should be very happy.

 

[Roma]

Thanks Keith, Richard and Drew!
I definitely want to try replacing the bulb and the socket first. In fact, I ordered these parts from the topbulb.com this morning for about $30 shipped.
Drew, split contrast/filter printing is something I'll be learning how to do because I have a few negatives that I like that require it, so I maybe asking you for more information in the future if you don't mind it.
Thank you all guys for your help again!

Roman

 

[Roma]

It's the bulb

It's the bulb

Just a quick update,
The problem was with the bulb. I hope to put the enlarger back together after a good cleaning this coming weekend and start printing after I get an easel and a few other things. I'm excited as a kid! God, I hope I never grow up 😀

Thank you all for your help!

Roman

 

[Bill K.]

Roman, you might find this link useful.

Regards,

Bill K.

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

 

[x-ray]

The D series are super enlargers. I've printed on them for 49 years since I was 9 years old and still use them. For years i used the dichroic head on both a D6 prolab and a D2 for B&W printing. The dichroic will print B&W exactly like a cold light. the only difference is the dichroic warms up and the cold light doesn't. I've printed many thousands of prints on both. Get the combination of yellow and magenta filters for the particular paper you're using and just dial it in for the desired grade. I've had a couple of Aristo heads and all have been excellent. The downside is they tend to be slower printing with the variable contrast tube installed and with the high speed tube it only works with graded papers. For the past twelve years I've been using the Ilford Multi Grade heads. They are halogen light sources with different diffusion chambers for different film sizes to increase efficiency and the power supply has a very nice timer built in and push buttons for the grades of paper in 1/2 grade steps. The exposures remain the same form one end of the contrast range to the other. Grades can be changed in mid exposure too. Unfortunately they're no longer available new but from time to time you can find them used at fair prices. I just purchased a spare from Adolf Gasser. It came with a D5 chassis in nice shape for $350 complete. I'm keeping the D5 for parts and using the newer head and PS on another enlarger. If you look for one make certain it's for the D omega. Quality camera in Atlanta said they have one and I purchased it. When it arrived it was no the correct head. I called Jeff the owner and he argued with me that it was the correct one but the opening in the head was only 4 inches square. No way to make it work on the D2 even with smaller negs. The did take it back but refused to refund the shipping. I fyou can find one of the 400 or 500 models at a good price get it. The 400 model for the D is the 400 HL.

Enjoy!!!