I recently purchased an Omega D2 enlarger and will likely equip it with a cold light in the near future. I know these are simple devices, but any input re good/bad experiences with particular brands? Any common pitfalls to watch out for?

-- Mark Christopherson (mchristopherson@lhdl.com), November 10, 2000

Answers

I have a D2 which I bought with condensers and after a year of saving bought Zone VI coldlight for it and have never looked at condensers again, I have had the coldlight for 5/6 years and have never had a problem with it or any of my Zone VI equipment. Pat

-- pat krentz (patwandakrentz@aol.com), November 10, 2000.

I have that same setup and second everything Pat said. If you go the Zone VI route, look for a stabilizer for your light. There are lots of other choices, but this stuff just seems to last forever. It was made to because I've got a lifetime guarantee from Calumet if it breaks!

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), November 10, 2000.

Mark: I use the D-2 with an Aristo cold light head and have for several years. I wouldn't want anything else. You have to turn the light on and let it warm up a few minutes before the light output reaches full intensity, but after that the heater built in keeps the output pretty stable. I don't have any problems without a stabalizer, but I don't have power fluctuations where I live. The stabalizer is supposed to keep things constant as the light heats up, but that is not a problem for me. I highly recommend the cold light. The prints are beautiful from it. Regards, Doug.

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alaweb.com), November 11, 2000.

Do you want to do variable contrast development? If so, you should consider the Calumet/Zone VI VC head that's sold specifically for the Omega line of enlargers. While it's expensive, it's a nice unit in that it internally adjusts for light instability for both elements, the green and the blue.

I had an Omega D2V, and it was difficult to use that setup with filters without removing the cold-light to insert a circular filter just above the diffuser. (Do others have suggestions?) If you go the Aristo route and want to do VC printing, consider getting the high intensity light with a special light element that they have for VC printing. (Call Aristo and speak with the tech.) Or, they have their own VC unit, but it isn't internally controlled.

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), November 11, 2000.

I have had my D2 for about 15 years and 10 of them have had the Aristo head... wouldn't print with anything else!

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), November 11, 2000.