A Shout Out: Modern Enlarger Lamps

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I wanted to give a big shout out to Modern Enlarger Lamps (http://www.modernenlargerlamps.com ) and the owner Cemil Purut.

I have an old, and sort of rare, Omega E6 5X7 enlarger that needed a new light source. Failing to find an Omega I contacted Cemil to determine if he could build a custom LED source for the enlarger. He was excited with the opportunity so working together we designed the head and I have been using it for a couple of months now.

I can only report how happy I am with it! The head is small, compact, quiet and about 2 stops brighter than the light I had on the unit before. In addition, the light is very even and provides excellent contrast. I went with the simple white light LED's but he can also make a VC (blue/green) version for about $100 more (I think). Also, the lights have a 50,000 hour life so I doubt I will ever need an additional bank of LED's. The only thing I am going to get is a second power source ($30) just in case something happens to the first one (which I doubt will).

Cemil is an Omega specialist but he will do custom work as well.

So, if you are in need of a new light source or if you are interested, I can highly recommend Modern Enlarger Lamps!

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks Eric. Looks very interesting, but he needs to branch out beyond the Omega's at least to include the Beseler 4x5.

[jeroldharter]

How much did it cost?

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Agree, the Beseler is a simple design so it would not be an issue. If someone needs a Beseler, contact him and work up a design! I know he is working one a Zone VI lamp with someone on the Forum now.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

I paid $389 for the lamp.

I failed to mention the build quality is first rate.

My head is the one shown here:

http://www.modernenlargerlamps.com/Modern_Enlarger_Lamps/Model_2e.html

[Nathan Potter]

Eric, $389 seems quite a bargain for a custom lamp source. This is nice to know. Thanks for the info.

Nate Potter, Austin TX.

[AJ Edmondson]

I recently acquired a Model 2 for my Omega D5XL and agree with Eric with regard to both the quality and performance. For the price, it is an exceptional piece of equipment and performs exactly as intended!

Joel

[Alan Curtis]

Cemil is currently producing a VC lamp for my Zone VI enlarger. It is going to require a little modification by me but, it looks very easy. I'm getting the model 3.

[MrFujicaman]

If I did the math right, it'd cost 0.008 cents per hour of use. (rounded off). Of course, nobody I know would spend 50,000 hours in a darkroom.

[Jerry Bodine]

I have a 5x7 E6 Omega that I spent a LONG time researching to find a way to modify my Omegalite lamphouse for VC work, but without success. So I had no choice but to come up with a way to do it myself with LEDs. Now that it's working adequately, wouldn't you just know it, Cemil comes up with a solution that I'm certain is even better (and more professionally designed) than my finished project. Sigh! However, it's good to know that his is available should mine ever let me down. Good luck to your business, Cemil. Surely, there must be others out there with my same vintage (1964-1973) enlarger who will be interested.

[Tin Can]

This is great he has expanded to 5x7, I hope he also goes to 8x10.

I may just stop what I am doing and simply buy his 5x7.

But I just got my 5X7 Elwood really dialed in...

[AtlantaTerry]

Eric,

Thank you for letting us know about the LED heads by Modern Enlarger Lamps.

Currently I don't have a darkroom but have plans to move to a location where I will have a studio and darkroom. When I do it will be anchored by a 4x5 Omega and one of Mr. Purut's LED heads.

Thanks again,
Terry

[bob carnie]

Thank you for posting Eric

I use 250w bulbs with my units, do you think he can custom make to compete?

Bob

I paid $389 for the lamp.

I failed to mention the build quality is first rate.

My head is the one shown here:

http://www.modernenlargerlamps.com/Modern_Enlarger_Lamps/Model_2e.html

[Jon Shiu]

Cool, I got to save up for one for my 1940's era Omega DII.

Jon

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Cemil is working on an 8X10 head now and is open to custom work. Mine was custom as he had never done 5x7 or seen an E6. Contact him andtell him what you want. I took pictures and did the measurements thenhe worked out the design and created the prototype. Once we were comfortable with the design, he produced it and it was done.

[John Bowen]

can't wait for a Beseler 4x5 head that can be used on Azo!

[Drew Wiley]

Certainly sounds like a nice thing. But what is a "Beseler"? I thought all real enlargers were named Durst.

[Kodachrome25]

I have a mint Beseler CB7 head I am going to build a mural enlarger around, since the smallest print size I will do with it will be 24x36, I wonder if he could do a 250-300W VC head?

[smithdoor]

Does any one use a low cost CFL AKA cold light

Dave

[Larry Gebhardt]

Does any one use a low cost CFL AKA cold light

Dave

If you go with a fluorescent you will want to get a light integrating timer since they have variable brightness based on temperature. And thye really aren't good with for quick starts and stops based on startup delays and phosphor afterglow. I would seriously consider LEDs over CFL.

[Drew Wiley]

If you want fluorescent, get a real cold light. CFL's are an interim technology that will either change or be as dead as a dodo in a few years. Most of those CFL
bulbs are wretchedly cheaply made and subject to variability in output, depending on temp.

[smithdoor]

I am looking at LED waiting for price to drop still using the old 212. I was thing only of the CFL as some are instant on and do not know how will the would work.

Thank you
Dave


If you go with a fluorescent you will want to get a light integrating timer since they have variable brightness based on temperature. And thye really aren't good with for quick starts and stops based on startup delays and phosphor afterglow. I would seriously consider LEDs over CFL.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

I have a 5x7 E6 Omega that I spent a LONG time researching to find a way to modify my Omegalite lamphouse for VC work, but without success. So I had no choice but to come up with a way to do it myself with LEDs. Now that it's working adequately, wouldn't you just know it, Cemil comes up with a solution that I'm certain is even better (and more professionally designed) than my finished project. Sigh! However, it's good to know that his is available should mine ever let me down. Good luck to your business, Cemil. Surely, there must be others out there with my same vintage (1964-1973) enlarger who will be interested.

it would be interesting to see and hear about what you "came up with".

[Jerry Bodine]

it would be interesting to see and hear about what you "came up with".

Kevin - Glad to oblige, but it might be some time before I can put the info together. And since the story may be quite lengthy, I'll post it in a new thread (and reference this thread) and make a note to send you a pm when that's done. I don't want to derail this thread with that story. Unfortunately, I didn't make pictures as I built it up but FWIW I can show some very helpful pics scavenged from other sites that will support my verbal descriptions. Stay tuned.

[Jerry Bodine]

Kevin - Glad to oblige, but it might be some time before I can put the info together... Stay tuned.

Kevin, here (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?111226-Omega-5x7-E6-LED-Mod&p=1110660#post1110660) is the mod story you asked for.

[Alan Curtis]

I received my 4x5 VC head from Cemil this week. I had to make a simple wooden bracket for it to work on my Zone VI enlarger, very easy. The lamp is very well made and easily controlled with an iphone. I struggled for years trying to get a VC head for this enlarger, I even purchased a used Zone VI VC head from ebay. I didn't like it at all, way too dim and not nearly as consistent as the original cold light head. Cemil has produced and excellent light source, while his are designed for few specific enlargers anyone with minimal skills could adapt one of these heads to their enlarger. He regularly makes upgrades to the controlling software, a next improvement is a dry down function. If you are looking for a new light source this one is great. He is a real pleasure to work with, very positive experience.

[Kodachrome25]

I received my 4x5 VC head from Cemil this week. I had to make a simple wooden bracket for it to work on my Zone VI enlarger, very easy. The lamp is very well made and easily controlled with an iphone. I struggled for years trying to get a VC head for this enlarger, I even purchased a used Zone VI VC head from ebay. I didn't like it at all, way too dim and not nearly as consistent as the original cold light head. Cemil has produced and excellent light source, while his are designed for few specific enlargers anyone with minimal skills could adapt one of these heads to their enlarger. He regularly makes upgrades to the controlling software, a next improvement is a dry down function. If you are looking for a new light source this one is great. He is a real pleasure to work with, very positive experience.

I'd be really interested to hear how it goes for you, I am considering one for my horizontal mural enlarger ( Modified Beseler CB7 head ) once I get the space to use it. I imagine they run really cool, but how bright are they, say what is the exposure for a 16x20 from a 4x5 neg at F11, grade 2 with a 150, that kind of thing...

The only thing I am not keen on is not being able to use my RH Designs timers and especially a foot switch. Does anyone know if there is a way to use an iOS device for contrast only and then run the timed sequences through a traditional timer?

[Eric Biggerstaff]

You should be able to use any timer I would think. Mine is 1.5 stops brighter than my old head, exposure times will depend on the neg of course. If you have a question regarding timers, call Cemil, he will be happy to help.

[Kodachrome25]

You should be able to use any timer I would think. Mine is 1.5 stops brighter than my old head, exposure times will depend on the neg of course. If you have a question regarding timers, call Cemil, he will be happy to help.

I dropped him a line, I am not sure you can use regular timers with the VC model 3, but I bet I can work around that since the app has a 5 second delay option. I just love having the foot switch for when I do stupid things like forget to stop down the lens, etc.

I'll see what he says...

[Alan Curtis]

The latest version has the option of an external timer and the use of a foot switch. I'm converting my old Zone VI foot switch.

[Kodachrome25]

Yes, Cemil told me about the model 3B that has the feature, check it out in this video, pretty amazing feature set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ein89audefA

I told him I am removing the upper plate from my CB7 head so we can rig this up, I think I am going for it, this will work perfect as my mural enlarger! By the way, I chose the CB7 head for the task of horizontal mural enlarger due to it's geared LF-like movements so I can dial in the alignment on the fly, this will be a fun project.

[Payral]

Did somebody tried to use the model 3B with StopClock Pro Timer from RH Design ?

[Payral]

Is Cemil still making that enlarging lamp ? I sent several mail to buy one and never get an answer. I got some technical answers but never to my order.

[macolive]

Same here. I contacted him and he replied to my first email and never to my subsequent emails.

[Payral]

Model 3 disappeared from his web site.

[neil poulsen]

Certainly sounds like a nice thing. But what is a "Beseler"? I thought all real enlargers were named Durst.

Check out his books. Ansel Adams used one of these for his 4x5 work.