Omega D5 focusing cams?

[Dave Dawson]

Hi All, I have recently managed to get an Omega D5 enlarger that has 3 focusing cams/runners (don't know if that is the correct term) installed which the focusing roller fits on.

There doesn't appear to be any markings or engraving on the cams to identify what focal length they are 'cut' for.....Is there a way of telling and where can I get different/additional ones from?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers Dave

[Martin Dake]

D5 and focus cams does not sound right.
I don't believe there was a D5 with auto focus.
Are you sure it is not a D3?

Either way, best places for Omega enlargers parts and such are..

http://www.khbphotografix.com/
Be sure to look in their links page as they have a great guide to Omgaa enlargers

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

[Dave Dawson]

Hi Martin, I think you are correct.....It looks like a D3.....The only reason I assumed it was a D5 was that that is what it says on the baseboard :eek:

Looks as though the cams are no longer available so it looks like I might need to get some thin aluminium and a file !!!!!!!

Is there a manual available in an electronic format for a D3 please?

Cheers Dave

[Martin Dake]

I am sure the cams can still be had used and I think Harry at Classsic Enlargers will make them but I am not sure if Harry is still doing any work.

Look here for the manual.
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/manuals.html

I am not familiar enough with the D3 to know how usable it is without the correct cams, if it can be used like a non auto focus then you still have a fine enlarger.

[old time photo]

I presume you are talking about auto focus.
I remember back in the seventies working on
that enlarger. It"s ok when you are constantly
changing focal lengths. In today's world I no of
one who would except for you now would even
mention it. In regards to your question I do not
think omega made much of this product. Do you
know if it is optional on any one of there enlargers.
Good luck to you.

[Dave Dawson]

Martin, Funnily enough Harry hasn't responded on his site (he may be away)

Thanks for your help.......The enlarger needs a bit of cleaning up before use but as I won it for 99p (I gave the guy £5 because that's the sort of guy I am:) ) So yes it seems good and I will check the cams against the supplied 105mm lens and my 80 and 75mm lens's.

Cheers Dave

[ic-racer]

D3 is a great enlarger if you have cams and cones. If you don't change focal lengths too often it is no problem. Rapid change of focal lengths is not possible because the three-lens turret is not compatible. The cones,however, slide in and out. So if you have your lenses pre-mounted on the cones, and the matching cam is already installed it is not too slow.

Are the six digit codes visible anywhere? Did you get any cones?

[Dave Dawson]

I haven't noticed any 6 digit codes anywhere but the supplied 105mm lens is mounted on a cone so I can only assume (probably wrongly) that one of the runners is cut for it. Until I put a negative in the enlarger I won't know if it focuses correctly.

One worrying thing is that the D series enlargers are pretty rare here in the UK, so accessories will be very rare.

More to follow........Thanks for the comments.

Cheers Dave

[Chauncey Walden]

Since it is a 4x5 enlarger (excuse me 5x4!) at least 2 of the cams are probably 135 and 150. I have an E3 and the cams on it (none of which are matched to my lenses) are close enough for 3 of the 4 lenses I use on it. For an extra long lens I just have to pull on the cam follower until I get it about where I want it and then slip a thin board behind the follower. Bottom line, no real problem.

[Dave Dawson]

Initially I would only want to use the 105 and 80mm Rodagon..........Are there any templates about whereby owners could 'cut-their-own' cams out of thin sheet ali?

Cheers Dave

[Chauncey Walden]

Dave, if you want to go to the trouble you could make your own template. Make and mount a full width blank and put the follower along side it. Center your focusing wheel at middle of its travel. With the lens that you want to use and a negative in the carrier, set the enlarger height to any of the normal sizes that you print. Pull the follower towards you until the neg is in focus and mark the cam at the back edge of the follower. Repeat for the other sizes you might print. Connect your marks with a french curve and cut the cam remembering to add the width of the depth of the roller groove. Or, if you have lots of time, raise the head in small increments, pull the follower to focus and mark the back.

[Dave Dawson]

Just a follow up............One track has 92S stamped on it and the other 102M. Not sure what focal length they are for?

Cheers Dave

[jose angel]

AFAIK, cams are designed and cutted to specific lenses. My E3 have three cams, with each lens` serial number written on each cam. For 105, 150 and 180mm lenses.
So it makes sense that your 4x5" enlarger could have cams from 50, 80, 105, 135 or 150mm lenses. I`d not be surprised if the cams are designed for a 80, 105 and a 135mm lens. Or maybe for a 80, 105 and 150. Who knows.
Whatever they are, I suspect you don`t need new cams. On my E3, neither of the lenses I have is the original one, and the AF is maintained with a slight deviation that can be finely/easily tuned with the focus wheel.
Making your own cam seem to me a really a really tiresome work, and at the end, you`ll have to check focus anyway... I may be wrong, that`s the way my enlarger works.
I`d just look for the cone needed in your 75/80 and 105mm lenses, and check the cam that is closer to that lenses.

[Dave Dawson]

Topic now transferred to the D3 thread:)

Cheers Dave