SOP for aligning an Omega B22

[MolBasser]

Just got a used B22, in pretty good shape, but after all the cleaning and reassembly it is a bit misaligned.

Specifically, it projects the image to the left of the easel a bit so that if one side is sharp, the other is out of focus.

Any help with a procedure to align it accurately would be greatly appreciated.

MolBasser

[Anscojohn]

It has been forty-five years since I looked at a B22, so I do not know where the screws are for adjusting the carrier stage. When you find that, I think you can do o.k. using Fred Picker's method--a sheet of glass in the carrier and sticking out the front, sides (and back?), and a couple of brand new pencils with erasers to measure/set your equa-distances. Good luck.

[MolBasser]

Ah! That is an interesting Idea.....

I know where the screws are, I just need a way to align it properly. This gives me many ideas. Thank you!

MolBasser

[mgb74]

I have a pdf of the B22 manual. I just looked at it quickly I don't see any info on aligning it, even though it covers setup. If you'd like a copy, PM me with your email address.

[MolBasser]

Thanks mgb. I have the manual, and yes it has nothing on aligning. I think the glass sheet in the negative tray method may work well though....We shall have to see.

Shopping for chemicals and trays and such right now....

MolBasser

[AgX]

I assume "SOP" means "Standard Operating Procedure"...

[emerson531]

The problem with the Omega B22 (and B66) is that there is no adjustment for the Lens stage. My B22 came with a Lens stage that was out of alignment. I spent a lot of time playing around with shims and masking tape between the Lens stage and the lens board. I eventually returned it to Berkey the distributor in Toronto who replaced the B22 with a B66 that had been checked to be in alignment!

Hope your B22 lens stage is not out of alignment

Emerson in Ottawa

[rmolson]

Aligning a B22
By coincidence I just finished realigning my B22 I was doing some maximum enlargements and the edges were soft. It may be the lens, an old El Omegas but first I checked alignment and it had gone out. I took my torpedo lever and a smaller string level ( Used to measure pitch on roofing gutters but with a flat base) or any small level First I checked the levels against each other. If they agree and mine did , I then level the base board. Because we are not interested in whether the enlarger is level but whether every thing is parallel Once the base board is level in both directions the small sting level will fit on the negative stage plate. The four screws, two on either side, are loosen every so slightly and the assembly moved until the levels agree on both directions. Then the screws are tightened and the levels again checked in case the carrier stage got bumped while tighten the screws ( it happens) .The final test is the print. Aligning is not that hard it just requires a little patience. There are other methods and expensive tools that can do the same thing But I opt for the old fashion common sense versions.

[Richard Jepsen]

If your using an El Omega 50mm I can assure you that your edges will not be optimized. Call Harry and he will tell you how to align the B-22. http://www.classic-enlargers.com/cgi...rch.pl?q=omega

[MolBasser]

The lens is an El-Omegar 50mm 3.8

Right now I am going to use the glass plat in the negative holder method and hope the lens is aligned. If not, then I can adjust the whole thing to compensate for the lense. Lens mount looks fine though.

I'll report my results

MolBasser