Re: DIY light source for 10X10" enlarger.

In article <R7SdnU6pz7oHcGHanZ2dnUVZ_quhnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
 "jjs" <nobody@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> To date I've considered enlarger light sources to be engineering well
beyond 
> my feeble capability, but I have used and examined only condenser
enlargers 
> such as the Leitz IIa and Omega condenser enlarger, but my task now is
to 
> make a diffusion thpe for the 10x10 enlarger.
> 
> I want something with No built-in filtration. No fancy color mixing for
VC 
> papers. No electronics. No side-lit mixing chambers. Just a straight
forward 
> light source and a diffusing layer. I question cold light, mercury
va****, 
> tubes, whatever they are because I just don't plain understand 'em.
> 
> I can blunder head-first into this project, but this group has some
smart 
> people with impressive experience, so I'll put my blunder idea forward.
> 
> First, I am limited to ~110V AC power although converting to DC is an 
> option. How about a simple array of 'white' LEDs at the top, pointing
down 
> over the typical sheet of plastic translucent material found in home
supply 
> places?  Or should it be fine ground glass? I am not concerned about the

> variability of LEDs over time unless they change during the time it
takes to 
> get an 8X10 negative-to-print just right - maybe a day or two. The power
for 
> the light will be run through a robust power-conditioner once set aside
for 
> a big minicomputer. Batteries not included.
> 
> So far so good? Corrections would be most welcome. OR just let me
blunder 
> and if it goes badly I'll post pictures of the catastrophe.

The Omega 10x10 that I have a diffused halogen light source is merely a 
white interior painted metal box with a fan on one side. Two halogen 
tubes about 5-6" long, commonly found at home depot or lowes are on the 
top surface, mounted about 3/4 foot apart. The Diffusion panel sits 
about 4-6 inches below and is straight through projection of the 
internal light. I have printed B&W with no unevenness. The diffusion 
panel IS the standard 10x10 panel used in Omega 10x10 enlargers -its 
milled with a cone peak in the center which distributes the light evenly.

Omega sells the diffuser for 300.00 My lamp house has a single tray 
which I installed optical grade glass into to sup****t the 10 x 10 VC 
filters bought from Calumet and made by ILford. 


Its a Very Simple design.

-- 
Reality is a picture perfected and never looking back.