Omega D2 Enlarger for 4x5

[edsel_adams]

Im looking to add a 4x5 enlarger to my MF & 35mm B&W darkroom.Are these good machines,capable of professional quality?They seem priced affordably.(I owned B22's Omega's for years,and always found these satisfactory.)Is there any thing bad about these?Thanks in advance.

[alec1]

They're just old, Edsel. The reason you see so many of them around

is that they were built well, had lots of accessories [still

available] and the parts were [and still are] available. I would

look elsewhere if you are even thinking about color, but for B&W, if

you get a decent one it will retain its value.

 

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See http://classic-enlargers.com/ for more information about older

Omega enlargers.

[doug_paramore]

I have used an ol' D-2 for years, and don't intend to change. It is a

good, solid old workhorse that can turn out some beautiful work. Mine

has stayed in alignment for several years, but if you get one, set it

up properly. I put a cold light on mine a few years ago and it has

done everything I ever wanted an enlarger to do.

 

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Regards,

[jnanian]

i too have a d3 .. it is a great enlarger after it is aligned / tightened

down it will remail "in tune" pretty much unless a bomb goes off

in your darkroom. even then it will probably still work as if it were

brand new. if you need parts &c, harry taylor is the guy to call.

his web address (classic enlargers) was already given by alec.

 

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best of luck

john

[mark_sampson]

The Omega D2 has been the standard for 4x5 enlargers since at least

WW2. Kinda like a Jeep or a DC-3. Indestructible and a real

workhorse. Like any enlarger, make sure it's corrctly aligned when

you set it up. A D5 w/ Super-Chromega D head would be the choice for

color.

[david_grandy5]

The D series Omegas are pretty much the industry standard. For

every Durst or Besler you see you'll see five Omega's. Subsequently

there are lots of used ones out there and even more importantly lots

of used "bits" like film holders and such.

 

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If the enlarger you are looking at is a D2 rather than a D2-V then

it doesn't have variable condensors that you'll need when you change

formats. I had used a D2-V at university and found that the light

output - with a D2 that I later bought - was very uneven when I used

a 4x5 neg.

 

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I fixed this problem by adding a colour head. I got much more even

light across the entire negative - whatever size I chose - and it

sure reduced my spotting.

 

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I don't think that I'd own an enlarger now that didn't have a

diffusion cold head or colour head. The cold head will reduce the

dust without doubt and a colour head will do that AND let you throw

out your PC filters!

 

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Some will say that you will get better contrast out of a condenser

enlarger and this may well be true, but the dust is a much bigger

problem as far as I'm concerned. By the way I replaced my D2 with

colour head with a D5-XL with colour head. The new enlarger came

with two Schnieder Componon-S lenses an 80 and a 135. I have no

doubt in my mind that this combination give me more natural contrast

than my old D2 in concensor mode and with two ancient Woolensak (sp?)

lenses. These two Schnieders give me ALL the contrast I'd ever want.

[rob_pietri5]

My D2 is really an old jalopy. The bellows has been replaced with a

home made bag bellows made from black vinyl. I have a cold light head

as a light source. My lenses are Schneider. It's wall mounted,

vibration free, level, light tight, sharp lenses, good light source.

Any number of enlargers would foot the bill. It's all in the hands

and eyes of the one printing with it. Weston used to contact print

with a light bulb.