Newbie help with C700 enlarger

[Zer0s0phT]

Hello,

Thanks to everyone in advance for helping me out.

I recently purchased an Omega C700 with 35mm carrier and heat absorbing glass for $25. I have a couple questions regarding the usage of this. I plan to print primarily B&W however I would still need to purchase some MG filters for this machine. So my question(s) are

Should I go for a Dichroic C760 head if i can find one for 60 bucks or less?

Would that make the price of this enlarger too much?

If I did would there be any extra pieces I would need besides the 35mm mixing chamber? Like different neg carriers or anything?

Also I read on the forum somewhere that the red safety filter would not be needed as mine is missing it. Is that true?

Thanks again for everyones help! I cannot wait to get my setup going.

[fotch]

Hello Zer0s0phT and welcome to APUG. I would start with the filters and only get the head when I found that I am printing a lot, like the enlarger, and got a good price on a working color head.

Regarding prices, it depends. Some locations equipment is abundant and you will find some for free. Other areas, prices are high because equipment is not readily available.

Regarding carriers, would need to know what you have now and what film you shoot with.

The red filter is for B&W and, IMHO, almost useless. If you can find one for free or real cheap, might be handy once in awhile, for aligning the easel if you bump it after its already loaded with the paper.l

Good Luck and enjoy the darkside.

[tkamiya]

One of the very nice thing about Multi-Grade contrast filter is that they are calibrated. For example, if you start out with #2 filter, which is pretty much standard, and wish to increase contrast, you can just stick in #3 and not make exposure time adjustment. If you want less, place #1 and use the same time. Of course, small change may be needed but you'll get used to it very quickly. This is true until you get to #4. Then, you'll have to double the time.

This is not true with Dichro head. Each time you change the setting to change contrast, you'll have to redo the exposure timing. You may get used to it but the process is very complex.

I use the red-safety filter ONLY when I make contact prints. I put my paper on the baseboard, line up the negatives, then place a glass plate. I do this with enlarger on and red safety in place. Otherwise, I wouldn't know where the light will hit. I have not found any other use for it.

My suggestion is for you to keep it simple. Just a regular C700 with condenser, and multi-grade filter.

Oh, yeah, welcome to APUG!

[George Nova Scotia]

The C760 head can fit several enlargers, so you may have to check for the right mounting hardware. I've attached the manual so you can have a look. -- Whoops guess the file is too big. PM if you want it.

[Zer0s0phT]

Great info. Everything I needed too know. Thanks everyone for your help and super response time.

Fotch, I was only wondering about carriers if I were to switch the lamphousing but I do have the 35mm for what I have. I will be taking the advice and learning with what I have, I assume I will change enlargers when I am ready for more.

Thanks George, I do have both manuals for C700 and C760 downloaded.

Thank you again for the awesome help, I probably will be back wondering where I went wrong on my first print

[MattKing]

I'm a big fan of dichroic heads - infinitely variable contrast settings, diffused (dust and scratch minimizing) light and, if you want the benefit of reasonably* constant exposures for Ilford papers at different contrast grades, just use the appropriate (Omega = Kodak) settings from the "Dual Colour" table on page three of this Ilford publication:

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/...8932591755.pdf

(*NB - I say reasonably, because this only applies to a middle range of tones, whether you are using the separate filters, or the multigrade head).

If you decide to use the enlarger for larger negative sizes, you would need larger negative carriers. You may need a larger mixing chamber too (the manual would say).

Have fun!

[Zer0s0phT]

Thank you very much Matt, I do like the idea of the dichroic head also after reading about it. However with the prices the way they are I could possible get a large format d series for the same or slightly more than fixing up this little guy. If I come across one like I saw on an auction site earlier for 20 bucks shipped I may jump on it. Gotta love those deals.

[mwdake]

The C700 and C760 heads show up all the time on eBay; many times they sell for the opening bid of just $9.99.

As for....

This is not true with Dichro head. Each time you change the setting to change contrast, you'll have to redo the exposure timing. You may get used to it but the process is very complex.

If you use the dual filter settings, Yellow and Magenta, the exposure between grades is more consistent; still have to double for grades 4 and 5 though.

[Rick A]

The nice thing about the C-700 is its good for 35mm up to 6x7cm negatives, so it should last you for quite a while.

[Zer0s0phT]

Sounds good. I had a 9.99 one but no mixing chamber so I didn't bid. I will definitely keep a look out for that again, as your right ralnphot this should keep me busy for sometime.

On that note what should I look out for in a used head, I saw one post where they even had the filtered light shown on a whitecard. Do they lose "effectiveness" over time?

Thanks again for the replies !