Questions About Omega D-Class Enlarger

[D-76]

So I've just picked up an Automega D3 with the Type D lamphouse and interchangable condenser arrangement, and I've got a couple of questions....

* Staging Filters
There's no filter drawer in this, ye olde style enlarger. But I've got a nice fresh set of 6x6" Ilford multigrade filters and was wondering if I could get good results by simply laying a filter over the carrier stage and lowering the condenser head directly over. Alternatively, I could mount them between the condenser and the lamphouse, but that would be far less convenient to change filters. Anyone have advice on this? A few mm above the focal plane seems better than cooking them near the lamp, right? On the other hand, they'll probably scratch faster under the condenser stage. What's "your mileage"?

* Condenser Substitution
The machine came with two condensers: the 6-1/2" and 3-1/2" sets. I happen to already have a 5" condenser set from a Beseler 23C and was wondering if it would be functionally equivalent to the Omega spec (assuming, of course, that I mount the lens set at the bottom of the appropriate stack height for the Omega).

Calling all optics boffins -- is the condenser set dependent on the light source elevation dimension? If so, is it comparable between the Beseler and Omega?

 

[Vince Lupo]

Put them between the condenser and lamphouse. Flip open the door, slide one in, close door. Easy. Plus, if you're doing multi-filter printing, it's a better spot to have them to make changes.

 

[D-76]

That's just it: there's no provision of a filter drawer on the D3. Hence, the dilemma.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Isn't there a door that folds up to reveal the condenser housing? And that's where you can adjust the height of the condenser, depending upon the film format you're printing?

Does your enlarger look like this? http://www.classic-enlargers.com/omega_d3_enlarger.htm

If so, there's that flip-up door just below the lamp housing that contains a height-adjustable condenser lens. I had a D3 and that's where I put my 5"x5" filters.

 

[D-76]

No, it's a previous version. Your link shows the variable condenser arrangement that followed later. I don't have that head.

It's on the auction site, but I'm trying to make do with what I have if I can.

 

[xia_ke]

I had an Automega B series and there was a filter tray that hung under the lens. Not sure if you have checked KHB, but here is a parts list for the D3...

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Discontinued/D3.htm

 

[kbg32]

They made a dichroic lamphosue that could be used for b & w printing. Might be tough to track one down. You could place filters between the condenser arrangement and the negative carrier. You are focusing through the filters, so your sharpness shouldn't be affected as would the filter tray that hung beneath the lens.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Ah -- didn't realize that you had an earlier version. Well that blows my idea out of the water!

Putting the filter between the condenser and neg carrier should work fine, but of course that will only work if you're making a print using only one filter. And critical focusing might be a bit of a pain, since you'd probably want to focus once the filter is in there. The under-lens one would be very convenient, but since you're now sticking something in front of the lens, it may possibly take the sharpness down a hair.

 

[D-76]

Thanks for the input, guys. I think I'll just lay the filters directly between the carrier and condenser, presuming that they'll be far enough out of focus to have no ill effect -- particularly since they're in excellent condition. (But I wonder how long they'll stay that way with the friction from the condenser sitting on them.)

I hadn't thought about the registration issues with multiple exposures, but I don't think I need to get tricky like that; I should be able to do everything in one shot.

I've also persuaded myself that the 5" Beseler condenser stack can be used for a planned 110mm lens in the Omega if I mount it in a correctly-fitting cylinder. Then, together with the 3-1/2" and 6-1/2" sets that came with it, I'm covered for all formats from 35mm to 4x5. Woohoo.

Side question: is there even a remote possibility to cover a 6x9 negative with a Componon 80mm 5.6?