Omega B22

Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.

I have done business with "classic enlargers."
http://www.classic-enlargers.com/
I too have a B-22, and the counterweight strap spring broke. I got a
replacement and a cold light head from Harry at Classic Enlargers a couple
of years ago. I would recommend them to you.


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.

Additionaly, it may be cost effective to buy another (or two or three) on
eBay and scavange for parts.
"Pieter Litchfield" wrote in message
...
I have done business with "classic enlargers."
http://www.classic-enlargers.com/
I too have a B-22, and the counterweight strap spring broke. I got a
replacement and a cold light head from Harry at Classic Enlargers a couple
of years ago. I would recommend them to you.


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.

I had one of these many years back and liked many features of it. I
recall liking the negative holder system better than the Beseler type
that I now use. The beam seems sturdy at first glance, but you'll
find that you need to wait a few seconds for vibrations to stop after
touching anything on the head. It helped greatly to connect the top
of the column to the wall with a small turnbuckle arrangement. Also,
see if you can locate the manual and assure that the condensers are
installed correctly. I recall seeing these in a school darkroom with
odd light patterns and it was traced to incorrect condenser
insertions. You'll enjoy your new acquisition, I predict!

On 27 Jun 2006 23:30:47 -0700, wrote:

Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.

Craig Schroeder
craig nospam craigschroeder com

wrote in message

Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
... Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier.

$70 is a wee bit high. Complete B22 outfits with carrier, lens,
etc. have gone for $20-$30 on ebay: have them send you the carrier
and chuck the enlarger -- shipping's cheaper if they only send
the carrier.

You should be able to find a carrier that is missing the enlarger
for $5 - $15.

Try ebay and also try a wtb ad in rec.photo.marketplace.darkroom and in
http://www.photo.net/

It is possible to make a very serviceable carrier out of some heavy-duty
cardboard. You can make HD cardboard by laminating thin cardboard with
pliobond. Cut with a mat knife. If you are into being fancy you can
make negative guide/alignment pins by shoving thumbtacks into the carrier
and then slightly enlarging the holes on the tackless side. Kiwi edge
dressing makes a good waterproof blacking agent to keep flare down: side
of the carrier facing the lens should always be black.

Craig Schroeder wrote:
I had one of these many years back and liked many features of it. I
recall liking the negative holder system better than the Beseler type
that I now use. The beam seems sturdy at first glance, but you'll
find that you need to wait a few seconds for vibrations to stop after
touching anything on the head. It helped greatly to connect the top
of the column to the wall with a small turnbuckle arrangement. Also,
see if you can locate the manual and assure that the condensers are
installed correctly. I recall seeing these in a school darkroom with
odd light patterns and it was traced to incorrect condenser
insertions. You'll enjoy your new acquisition, I predict!

On 27 Jun 2006 23:30:47 -0700, wrote:

Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.

Craig Schroeder
craig nospam craigschroeder com

Yeah, student enlargers, kids love to mess with them to screw up the
works for the next kid that comes in to use the thing.

eBay for carriers, B-22, B-66, B-600 carriers all the same all will work.

And if you don't have the supplemental 35mm condenser look for one.

I built a darkroom a couple of years ago after having my interest in B&W
revived, and I dug out my old B-22 from my college days. It had been in the
original carton all this time. The grease on the counterweight spring strap
had solidified and the metal strap brokw, but I obtained a replacement from
"Classic Enlargers."

The B-22 that I bought came with both 35mm and 2 1/4 x 2 1/4" glassless
negative carrier, and it had a supplemental condenser and a 70mm enlarging
lens for use with the 2 1/4 x 2 14 setup.

I updated the enlarger with a cold light head, so the condensers are not in
use right now, but all original parts are being saved in case a museum wants
it after I shuffle off!

Along the way I have acquired a Russian Horizon 202 panoramic camera. It
does a pretty good job and is fun to use, but it produces a negative the
same width as a 35mm, but 1.5 times as long (24 x 54 as I recall). I bought
a B-22 35mm carrier on e-bay and had a local machine shop recut the window
to the correct dimensions. I use a 70mm enlargging lens (same as for a 2
1/4 x 2/14). I don't remember the price, but I'm thinking in the
neighborhood of $20 - 25.

As for stability, my B-22 is bolted to the counter. I "sandwiched" the
counter top between 2 foot lengths of hardwood 2x6 above and below the
counter, and the enlarger column is tightly screwed through the whole
assembly. Not a lot of shake left it it, but I still wait for things to
settle down before exposing and try to keep my hands off the counter while
exposing. I have heard (and seen) of folks who added braces from the top of
the enlarger column to the wall. My counters and cabinets are heavy and
bolted to a concrete floor and wall in the basement, so they are completely
rigid. I therefore didn't bother with a top brace, but it woudn't be a bad
idea to consider.

If I were to buy another B&W enlarger, there are plenty of old dichro color
enlargers available cheap, and once the filter numbers are found out and
dialed in, it is possible to change contrasts using B&W variable contrast
paper without having to retest for exposure times. I'd love that!

But all in all, the Omega B-22 has produced a lot of great photos and is
worthy of some TLC. It is a classic and easy to work with.



"darkroommike" wrote in message
...
Craig Schroeder wrote:
I had one of these many years back and liked many features of it. I
recall liking the negative holder system better than the Beseler type
that I now use. The beam seems sturdy at first glance, but you'll
find that you need to wait a few seconds for vibrations to stop after
touching anything on the head. It helped greatly to connect the top
of the column to the wall with a small turnbuckle arrangement. Also,
see if you can locate the manual and assure that the condensers are
installed correctly. I recall seeing these in a school darkroom with
odd light patterns and it was traced to incorrect condenser
insertions. You'll enjoy your new acquisition, I predict!

On 27 Jun 2006 23:30:47 -0700, wrote:

Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.
Craig Schroeder
craig nospam craigschroeder com

Yeah, student enlargers, kids love to mess with them to screw up the works
for the next kid that comes in to use the thing.

eBay for carriers, B-22, B-66, B-600 carriers all the same all will work.

And if you don't have the supplemental 35mm condenser look for one.

"Pieter Litchfield" wrote

Not a lot of shake left it it, but I still wait for things to settle down
before exposing and try to keep my hands off the counter while exposing.
I have heard (and seen) of folks who added braces from the top of the
enlarger column to the wall.

I found the lowest vibration location for an enlarger, other than the
basement/foundation floor, is at the corners of building. The middle
of a wood floor is more a sounding board than a stable surface.

It is easy to do a comparative test of floor stability:

Fill a glass about to the rim with water, place in location, stand so
you can see the reflection in the water surface and stand tip-toe and come
down hard on your heels. Observe the amount of disturbance in the water
reflection.


--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics, Photonics, Informatics.
Remove blanks to reply: n o lindan at ix . netcom . com
f-Stop enlarging timers: http://www.nolindan.com/da/fstop/

wrote:
Hi everyone, I just purchased an Omega B22 enlarger at a garage sale.
Amazingly, everything (lens, bellows, condenser, lamphouse, etc...) is
in great condition. I plugged it in and the bulb still worked as well.
Anyways, it is missing a few small pieces like the negative carrier and
vc filter holder. Does anyone know where I can find some reasonably
priced parts for this thing? I found one place online, but they wanted
like $70 for just a 35mm glassless negative carrier. Thanks for any
tips in advance.


My inherited Omega D-5 came with a very complete set of negative
carriers that my late father-in-law made because he, like you, objected
to the price of ready made. He got a sheet of 3/32" jigplate aluminium
and few drill bits, and a slew of metal cutting blades for a Sears bench
mount jigsaw. The did the layout work, cut the plates and finished them
with fine files and 400 grit garnet paper. They work very well.