I am currently printing (struggeling) my many formats 35mm, medium and large 4X5.

I have an omega D3 enlarger, various cones, flat plate, 90mm 75mm and 1 cam. Also 3 condensors. I just purchased a 135mm and am looking for a 50mm

I need info on that cone/lens/cam combination I should be using for each format. I have the condensors and negative carriers figured out. Is there a table for what lens/cone length combo? I noticed sometimes I can't focus my 4X5 negatives to a 5X7 print.

I have been using the 90mm lens for 4X5 and the 75mm lens for 35mm and medium format.

I would also need a source for parts.. looks like I have everything except the cams.

-- Pete (gregarpp@icqmail.com), August 07, 2001

Answers

From my 1954 Automega D3 manual:

Lens 6 3/8" f.l. use 5 3/4" high cone.

5 3/8" use 4" cone.

4" use 2 1/2" cone.

3 1/2" use 2" cone.

3" use 1 1/2" cone.

2" use flat board.

The cams were originally matched to the specific lens, but I've had good results with any cam for a given focal length. Note that "perfect" autofocus only occurs if you shim the easel to exactly 1" high. The cam for a 50mm lens is very parallel, a bit less so for an 80mm, and much less so for the longer lenses. You can make a cam by copying an existing one in thin aluminum or even plastic (leave material at the front), then holding the follower wheel at the correct focus for various heights, and marking the location on the cam with a pencil. blend the pencil marks together and cut on that line. The result obviously won't be perfect, but will keep the thing sufficiently in focus to set print size. I used one of these for years until I found a factory cam. Love the D3 and think it's one of the best enlargers ever made. Check out the classic enlarger site (forgot the exact URL).

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), August 07, 2001.

Check out Harry Taylors' Classic enlarger site at www.classic-enlargers.com. A must for all users of vintage Omega enlargers. (I have a B8XL) RO

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), August 07, 2001.

I use speed easels

I didn't know I had to shim them..

Does your book show what cam # goes with each lens?

-- Pete (gregarpp@icqmail.com), August 08, 2001.

My old manual says little about focusing tracks other than that they match them to individual lenses. FWIW, my tracks are labeled 4-11-3, 4-22-3, and 4-52F. They seem to work with 50, 80, and 135mm lenses, respectively. I'd love to know how they were made- remember that back when this thing was introduced there weren't any NC mills or computers to calculate the profile. The geometry of the focusing mechanism has to be taken into account, but you could probably calculate a track with some good measurements and a bit of patience. BTW, if anyone can tell me the meaning of the numbers on the tracks, that would be useful info for the files!

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), August 08, 2001.

On my D3, currently for sale, I use 2 cams. One made for a 50mm lens, that will also work with an 80mm, and one for a 150mm. Harry Taylor made the 150. Get in touch with him.

Ron

-- Ron McElroy (rnrmcelroy@aol.com), August 15, 2001.