The Omega E-5 Enlarger evolved from the post-war E-3 and E-4 models, and was essentially a 5x7 version of the D-3. The most significant change was in the chassis where the dual rail design of the 4x5 enlargers was now used in place of the three rail triangular design of the previous models. As with the E-4, the Omegalite cold light lamphouse was the standard light source, but a condenser lamphouse, with 9-inch condenser lenses and requiring an additional counterbalance spring, was also introduced. Due to the autofocus mechanism, the E-5 was offered only with a standard length column, whereas the later manual focus E-6 was an XL chassis.

When the Chromega colorheads were introduced, initially only the 4x5 Chromega D lamphouse was available to be fitted to the E chassis. It was not until 1968 that the first Omega 5x7 colorhead, the Super Chromega E, was made available.  When the Super Chromega E Dichroic lamphouse arrived, the E-5 and E-6 enlargers were replaced by a an updated chassis with revised negative carrier system, and the Omegalite and condenser lamphouses were discontinued.

Used Advice: Some parts, such as most lens mounts and lens discs remained in production until recently, but other parts, such as negative carriers and autofocus tracks, may be difficult to find.