I have 12 Omega C700 enlargers. We make 5"x7" and 8"x 10" black & white prints. I have found an increasing problem with some of the enlargers in that they print "hot" in the middle with a gradual softening to the edges that are underexposed. I had gotten used to this with the 8"x10"'s as we would burn the edges, usually 50%, but now it is happening with my 5"x7" prints. Could it be a a problem with old bulbs or what?

-- Wayne Little (wdlittle@hotmail.com), March 26, 2002

Answers

I have been waiting for someone else to answer this (and curious at seeing possible explanations), as I have used this enlarger and have not had a problem. I find your problem particularly interesting since I am assuming you are using 35mm negatives. I could maybe understand it with 6x6 or 6x7 as this enlarger has a small lamphouse (I use it for flashing and for miscellaneous purposes).

It is perplexing that you are having this problem with all 12 of your enlargers, and that the problem is now occuring with 5x7 prints.

Here are some things I would suggest. Make sure the conderser is clean and properly installed. Also, take apart and clean one of the enlargers (blow dust from inside, etc.), install a new light bulb and print the same negative with the same filter, enlargement, etc. on the cleaned unit and one you are having trouble with. (Are your filters old? Maybe this is part of the problem, though I doubt it.)

Don't have anything else to suggest. You should not have to consistently burn the edges by 50 percent.

-- jennifer (photomatic99@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.

One more thing I just thought of. What kind of enlarger lens are you using. Is it a 50mm lens? I know that sometimes this enlarger comes with a cheap, substandard lens and perhaps that could be a problem.

-- jennifer (photomatic99@yahoo.com), March 27, 2002.