Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/01/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dear Alan, Have you tried making tests w/ your enlarger? I ask because I use an old (40-50 years?) Simon-Omega D-2 for 35mm printing. It is cluncky, and I thought about replacing it. But I made some tests, and it was easily aligned. I spent the money I saved and bought a Rodagon APO enlarging lens, a good grain focuser, and an assortment of printing paper. It's not a dream to focus, but it's not a problem, either. The next thing I want is a good four-bladed enlarging easel. If you want a V35, go for it. I woudn't mind a fancier enlarger, but for ordinary B & W printing, the requirements are few and simple. Some where in the back of my mind I seem to recall of enlarger lenses that were optomized for glassless negative carriers. There was also a version made for the flat negative plane produced by a glass carrier. Is my recolection correct? Sincerely, Joe Stephenson ++++++++++ Alan wrote: [cut] I digress though...this setup, though acceptable for large format, just doesn't seem to have the precise alignment capability and precision focus mechanism required for really fine 35mm printing. The idea of a glass neg carrier intrigues me because it seems logical that the neg would be held in a flatter plane. Precisely flat negative plane coupled with neg stage, lens stage, and easel in precise parallel alignment is, it would seem, best for 35mm; any neg really, but smaller negs seem to benefit most from precision equipment. [cut]