Omega DII Condensers

[Csholl]

Hi,


Does anyone know the correct Condensers for the DII Omega enlarger, specifically 4x5? Also, My DII came with 2 plugs on the head. one is three pronged that seems to be the light. The other is 2 prong, but I'm not sure.

Correction: I know now I have the Zone VI cold light after looking up with the diffusion glass. My question, however, does it work with VC Papers? Or do I really need an Arista?

[Mark Sampson]

My D-II came with (long-gone) condensers. IIRC there was a set for each format. I immediately replaced them with a Zone VI cold-light and stabilizer.
It is a rebadged Aristo item with a photocell added for the stabilizer. Using a fluorescent cold-light without a stabilizer, Metrolux, or Z-VI metronome will be an exercise in frustration. The output of a cold-light varies with temperature; the longer you leave it on, the brighter it gets (up to a point). When you shut it off, it cools down, and light output drops. The devices mentioned above let you get consistent exposures almost impossible otherwise. The old-timers who used cold-lights (generally for portraiture) often had a shutter mounted beneath the lens that let them leave the lamp on constantly.
The cold-lights of old produce a blue light meant for graded papers. Some will suggest adding a 40Y filter into the lamp house to correct the output to be closer to the 3200K that today's VC papers are designed for. I tried this long ago but found it unnecessary. I find myself using the lower-contrast filters more often, and contrast grade spacing is not linear, but for the 35 years I've been working this way, there have been very few negatives that I could not print successfully.
For a while, Aristo did offer a replacement tube said to be better for VC papers. The V54? I thought about changing mine, procrastinated, and they discontinued it, too late. So it goes!
No doubt the best answer for you would be to adapt a Super-Chromega Dichroic II color head, but those are expensive and the needed parts might be hard to find.

[mmerig]

You shouldn't need the condensers when the cold light is installed. Do you have the instructions?

As mentioned here and other threads, the cold lights are tricky to use without a stabilizer or special timer, and they are a bit skimpy on light coverage for 4 by 5.

A quick search shows some super chromega color heads for a reasonable price. I think the only downsides are that they won't print at the highest contrast (like a #5 filter), and the light quality shifts over time.

Another option is to get the standard lamp head for an incandescent bulb (the 211). The bulb is frosted so the light is not truly a point source like a condenser is. With that bulb and lamphead you'll need a condenser. The one for 4 by 5 is the biggest. It will work on smaller formats but won't be as light-efficient.

It will take time to learn how contrast works with different papers, film, etc. with a given light source. Changing a light source will require some re-learning, so it would be good to really think about what you want and settle on that. Ctein has some good information on enlarger light types and their differences (small as I recall).

[Alan9940]

If you don't have the V54 tube in your Aristo unit, you may find that you'll need to add some yellow filtration to properly print on VC papers. The original Aristo light tube (I think it was called a W30, but don't quote me on that) is very blue in color making it difficult to achieve lower contrast without the filtration.

[jnantz]

there were 3 condensers for your omega, there were the 2 large ones that faced eachother in the condenser collar and there was another one that slide into the rectangular box that sits below the condenser collar and above the negative stage. if you are using the cold light you wont' have to worry about any of that. but if you don't have the right color light ( being the W45 instead of the newer V54 ) as described previously, it will be a pain ... BTW. if someone tries to sell you an "omega lite " it is a circular kitchen light fluorescent bulb not so useful these days. I think the main problem is there's no graded paper anymore. if you could get some new graded paper you'd be all set, no matter the cold light you have.

[Alan9940]

Foma still produces a graded paper, but you're stuck with what they call "Normal Gradation" which, IMO, is what I'd call grade 3 - 4 from back in the day. You could vary the inherent contrast slightly with development techniques, but you'd still be looking at a narrow range of results. Not impossible, but certainly limiting.

[mmerig]

there were 3 condensers for your omega, there were the 2 large ones that faced eachother in the condenser collar and there was another one that slide into the rectangular box that sits below the condenser collar and above the negative stage. if you are using the cold light you wont' have to worry about any of that. but if you don't have the right color light ( being the W45 instead of the newer V54 ) as described previously, it will be a pain ... BTW. if someone tries to sell you an "omega lite " it is a circular kitchen light fluorescent bulb not so useful these days. I think the main problem is there's no graded paper anymore. if you could get some new graded paper you'd be all set, no matter the cold light you have.

The DII, (instead of the D2) has separate condensers for each format. Each of them are in an aluminum cylinder of the same size, but the glass diameter gets smaller with smaller formats. The D2 has the condensers in a drawer, as described above. Instructions for the DII are on-line at http://store.khbphotografix.com/Omega-D-II-4x5-Condenser-Enlarger-Manual.html, but it's not free. There is a free version here: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Omega_DII_Cat.pdf

There are also lens cones. The instructions explain this. For 4 by 5 you'll need one, and there are two sizes depending on the lens focal length.

[jnantz]

The DII, (instead of the D2) has separate condensers for each format. Each of them are in an aluminum cylinder of the same size, but the glass diameter gets smaller with smaller formats. The D2 has the condensers in a drawer, as described above. Instructions for the DII are on-line at http://store.khbphotografix.com/Omega-D-II-4x5-Condenser-Enlarger-Manual.html, but it's not free. There is a free version here: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/omega/Omega_DII_Cat.pdf

There are also lens cones. The instructions explain this. For 4 by 5 you'll need one, and there are two sizes depending on the lens focal length.
Ooof, thanks for correcting my post mmerig!
sorry about that OP I thought the condensers of your enlarger was the same as the d2 my mistake,
it's a good thing you don't have a d3, cause that gets even more confusing ...
you will easily get info off of Harry Taylor ( THE omega-man )'s website too ..
https://web.archive.org/web/20060824015411/http://www.classic-enlargers.com/

enjoy the omega!