Omega D-2

[dan_brown1]

I just got back from a local shop, after looking at an Omega D-2 enlarger. It is in very nice condition. It has a formica base board, two black 'C'-channel vertical rails. The condenser door flips open so you can move the top element up and down to match lens focal length. It commes with a 4x5 glassless carrier, regular condenser head, and a 135/4.5 Omegaor/Rodenstock lens. The lens is mounted on a pan that extends the bellows length about 2-3 inches. The aperture setting light up in green and red. Everything seems to work fine. There is no rust, and I couldn't detect any light leaks.

 

<p>

 

He wants $475 with the lens, $425 without. I would need to add a 6x7 glass carrier and a 105mm lens. I almost bought it, and may go back shortly to get it.

 

<p>

 

Is this a good buy?

[wilhelm]

Sounds good to me. There are a lot of D-2s out there; really nice

ones, as this one sounds to be, are worth paying more for. Be sure

that it is the model with a crank to raise and lower it. Models

without the crank are worth a lot less unless you are already on

Prozac.

[peter_hughes2]

It's not a good buy. The "Ohmygod" lens is crap. IMO the enlarger is

worth, *at most*, $200 w/o lens.

 

<p>

 

Invest in good lenses, such as Componon-S, Nikkor, or Rodagon. I

found a beautiful 135mm Componon-S locally for $175. A steal. But you

can easily find one for $250. I also suggest buying all the same

brand lenses, though this is not crucial.

 

<p>

 

Condenser enlargers are contrasty, with highlights that lack

sepration. So eventually you will probably want to get either a cold-

light head or a dichroic color head. I use an Autofocus Chromega D4

for both b&w and color. I paid $300 for it, with one board and

carrier. Another steal.

 

<p>

 

Look around for a deal/steal. People are selling off their darkroom

gear nowadays. The D-series Omegas are superb machines (personally, I

wouldn't use anything else), very popular and plentiful on the used

market. Camera stores hate having them around, because they take up

space and nobody wants them. Most dealers will be happy to talk price

with you if you are serious. Take my word for it, they just want to

get them out the door!

 

<p>

 

Once you get it set up, with all the right carriers, boards, heads

and lenses, you will NEVER need to buy another enlarger as long as

you live. So be patient and invest wisely.

 

<p>

 

BTW, you don't really need a glass carrier to print 6x7.

 

<p>

 

Check out: http://www.classic-enlargers.com/omega_enlargers.htm

Bear in mind that his prices are *high*, especially for the enlargers

themselves. But he probably has what you are looking for, in terms of

accessories, in stock.

 

<p>

 

http://www.ravenvision.com/peterhughes.htm

[doug_paramore2]

Dan: It sounds like one of the later model D-2s and in exellent

condition I think it will be worth it. The flip-up door is for an

additional condenser lens for shorter focal length lenses. I have

used a D-2 for many years and haven't found another yet I want to

trade for. I installed a cold light head shortly after I bought it

and it has made many good prints. I prefer the cold light head or

diffusion head because the prints have a glow that I can't get with

condenser light sources, but that is a personal thing. The D-2 locks

downs solid and vibration and slop is not a problem with them. They

were build to be professional enlargers. Hope this helps, Doug.

[mark_demulder]

Check Midwest photo. I bought a D-2 from them last year that I paid

$175 for (no lens, but everthing else). It looks its age, but works

great. I bought a used zone IV cold light for $100 that I really

like.

[john_henderson1]

Also check out Terry Seaman, "the darkroom guy" at

http://www.photomall.com/. I've bought several components from him

for my D3.

 

<p>

 

You have the variable condensor - prevents you from having to buy

different condensor sets for different formats.

 

<p>

 

It seems a little high to me, but maybe not much considering that you

can look it over and know what you're getting. I've bought most of my

enlarger components on eBay and have been happy with what I got and

usually grossly undercut what dealers want. (And I've never seen an

Omega D at a dealer anyhow.) You might want to take a look on eBay.

Something like this might cost $50 to ship, and like I said, you know

what you're getting from your dealer.

 

<p>

 

The "pan" is called a lens cone. You get the appropriate lens cone

for the focal length of the lens to keep the bellows within its range

of movement.

[triblett_lungre_thurd]

I think it's a bit steep... real steep. I got my pre-war slider with

two buckets of glass, 35 and 4x5 carriers, long cone and 50mm on disc

for 100 bucks. It's in great condition and operates flawlessly. I

particularly love the kodak stores badge on the side rail...apparently

it's a life-long okie like me. You can find printing papers that look

best with condensors or you can modify the source if you cannot afford

a cold lite.

[david richhart]

It's a great machine to work with, but I am with the guys that think

the price is a little high. I bought one a few months ago with 50mm

and 75mm lenses, and 4 negative carriers for $140.00. <p> Ebay is a

good place to appraise things. Check the "completed items" section.

-Dave

[george_nedleman]

I got a D-6 Chassis from Midwest for $195+ship. It's a monster. I

made a base board and a cold light receptacle bought a Nikkor lens -

80mm. It's got fine focussing, a real benefit, and a crank. The

girders are so long that I secured them to the wall at the top. If

the house moves it moves-not unlikely in Calif!

[jim_blecha1]

Dan,

 

<p>

 

I agree with everything Peter Hughes says except the part about the

Omegaron lens being "crap". Although my 150mm Omegaron isn't the same

as the 135mm Omegaron, I have used the 150mm for nearly 25 years with

excellent results. Perhaps Peter has used a version of this lens that

was less than adequate.

 

<p>

 

A good 75 or 80mm lens will easily cover 6X7cm negs (a 75mm EL-Nikkor

actually covers 4X5 with a little corner degradation) and a 6X7 glass

carrier is a waste of money. With the advent of digital photography,

you can easily pick up used 75mm EL-Nikkors, or their equivalent for

under $100 (more like $50-$60) at camera swaps. The 105mm lenses seem

to be much rarer, and you'll pay a premium.

 

<p>

 

Be ruthless with your dealer and they'll likely make you a much better

deal on the D2. It's a great enlarger. Good Luck.

[peter_hughes2]

Jim -- Are we talking about an "Omegaron"? The original post

said "Omegaor", which I interpreted as a misspelling of Omegar, which

I still say is "Ohmygod." The Omegaron you own may be another story

entirely--maybe a Rodagon with the Omega name on it?

 

<p>

 

I've *heard* that the 75mm Nikkor is not as good as the 80mm.

However, I have not had any personal experience on this one. I owned

a 105mm f/5.6 El-Nikkor a number of years back and it was excellent.

[dan_brown1]

Thanks for all these responses. I think I'll attempt to talk the

dealer down in price. He has 3 D-2's in stock, plus several other

beasts of various sorts. This one is the nicest of the three.

 

<p>

 

The lens is an Omegaron-Rodenstock (Says "Rodenstock" on the

barrel). It seems nice in that the lens aperture is illuminated by

the enlarger lamphouse such that the selected aperture appears in red

and the adjacent higher and lower aperture values appear in green.

Looks neat!

 

<p>

 

The lens question is academic in that I think I'll just buy the thing

without the lens and carrier for now (to keep the price low).

Initially, I will use it for 6x7 (there are several 105 Nikkoers up

on EBAY), then when I get a field camera, I'll get a glass carrier

and suitable lens.

 

<p>

 

I'll post back here after my next discussion with the dealer.