I noticed in a recent darkroom session that when I have the enlarger on I have a distinct light ring around the image roughly 3 times the diameter of the print.

I have a reasonable old DeVere 504 which I thought might be the culprit, so I have re-blackened all the inside surfaces and bellows, and the lens holders internal surface but to no avail.

All I can think of now is that this is lens flare but I get it on all 3 lenses, just different circle sizes.

Is this normal? I have never noticed this before as I used to work with the safelight on, but have since changed to expose in darkness.

Phill

Do your lenses have illuminated aperture scales? Some of mine do, and I notice the same light ring with those...

Do your lenses have illuminated aperture scales? Some of mine do, and I notice the same light ring with those...
Ole,

yes all 3 lenses I have have the illuminated scales.

Phill

Hi Phil

could it be the condensors that are not being blocked out by the negative carrier that you are using?

I'm thinking it's a reflection off the inner surface of the barrel - and should disappear as you stop down if that's the case. Is it?

The problem is quite simple.

It's moisture in the lenses, this is why all 3 lenses were affected at the same time, we had very hot humid weather last week (here in the UK) and we forget that our darkrooms are usually cool and unventilated when not in use. I had a similar problem myself on Friday evening and again in the last hour. The secret is to keep the lenses inside your living areas and if necessary warm them up slowly and gently to remove the moisture.

Ian

Ian
Thanks for the insight and the telephone conversation earlier this afternoon. I have brought my lenses inside and will monitor the progress

Phill