RE: Noobie 35mm Enlarger Question

2002-02-14 Thread Erik Nordin 

Hi again,

I checked my Opemus yesterday, and yes, you're right. The opening above
negative is appr 6x6 but the opening below 5.5x5.5. Very strange. On the
other hand, my old Zeiss Ikon Nettax negatives are also roughly 5.5x5.5. I
don't have any MF enlarger lens, so I couldn't check how the negative is
projected to the paper, but I'll try to borrow a lens and check it out. It
will take a couple of weeks before I get an opportunity, though.

Otherwise I'm very happy with the Opemus 6, and the Magnifax seems to be
similarly constructed. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any dealers
in Sweden anymore. Too bad, when I bought the Opemus it definitely gave most
value for the money of all new enlargers.

Erik

-Original Message-
From: Frantisek Vlcek [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: den 13 februari 2002 21:04
To: Erik Nordin
Subject: Re: Noobie 35mm Enlarger Question


Wednesday, February 13, 2002, 3:07:33 PM, Erik wrote:
EN Hi Frantisek, I read your below opinion - could you please explain what
you
EN mean with the Opemus not being godd for 6x6? I have the Opemus 6 which I
EN have been very pleased with, although so far I have only used it for 35
mm
EN work with a EI-Nikkor 50/2.8. One of the reasons I got it 10 years ago
was
EN its capacity for MF negatives, so it would be interesting to know about
its
EN shortcomings...

Erik,
   this is nothing I know from personal experience, I have always used
   only Magnifaxes (II, than IV).

   My friend has the Opemus 7 (6?) and he is unable to do full-frame
   bordered 6x6 prints, as the negative carrier's hole is only about
   5.5x5.5cm. He contacted Meopta but to no avail. This might not be
   true with all models, I find it very strange, too. If you measure
   the carrier hole, please let me know how much it is, it interests
   me too. I find it hard to believe they would make an enlarger with
   such obvious design fault, but it wouldn't be a first time even a
   respected company did such stupid things. Perhaps it's just his
   model, though.

   Second, general thing, is that it's always better to have overkill
   condenser (lightsource), Magnifax has in fact condenser perfectly
   suited for 9x9cm format (if there was any, apart from aerial roll
   film long ago), so 6x6, 6x7 even 6x9 are no problem with Magnifax,
   there will be no fall-off to the corners. But I don't really know
   how big or good is the condenser for Opemus, as I said, I have no
   experience with it.

Good light,
   Frantisek Vlcek
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Re: Noobie 35mm Enlarger Question

2002-02-12 Thread Collin Brendemuehl 

Ted,

Most any of the 35mm enlargers will do for starters.
Just be certain that (1) it's in good physical shape
so that your print is truely square, and (2) that the lens is clean and clear.  With 
those two items
resolved, your options are still wide open.

Just like with your camera, it's the lens that makes the picture.  A more modern lens 
will be multi-coated and provide a better picture.  Some of these are pretty cheap.  
You can get a Voss 75mm lens for about $20 from a variety of sources.

The standard lens for a 35mm print is a 50mm focal length.  If you make prints larger 
than 8x10, a 50mm lens will start to show some distortion toward the corners.  Getting 
a longer focal length lens resolves this becuase it has a larger coverage on the 
negative's side, and thus provides a flatter field for the print.  (But you raise the 
head up higher to make the print.)  I like using a 75mm lens for 35mm negs, a 90mm-105 
for medium format, and have a 161mm for the 4x5.

If you consider this a starter enlarger, go to some camera club meetings.  THere's 
often old (40+ years) units, like Federal or DeJur brands, that will sell for $10 or 
so.  Then just add a newer lens and get some nice prints.  Should you upgrade the 
enlarger later, keep your newer lenses (sort of like owning a Pentax!) and upgrade the 
body only.

Have fun.

Collin

--

---
Get over it.
Dr. Laura

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