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The Omegalite was a fluorescent (cold
light) diffusion lamphouse introduced in the 1950s for black and white
printing. It used the GE Circline fluorescent tubes. Three different
sizes were available to fit the B7/B8 enlargers, D2/D3 enlargers, and the
E5/E6. The two smaller sizes used the 8¼" lamp, and had the ballast unit
mounted on the top of the lamphouse, while the E size unit used the larger
11½" tube and had a separate ballast box connected to the lamphouse by a
cable.
The diffusion lamphouses
tended to increase productivity by suppressing dust and scratch marks on
the negatives, thus reducing reprints and time spent spotting prints.
However, they were not ideal for variable contrast papers, and as
diffusion colorheads became more common, demand for the Omegalite waned.
Used Advice: These
units are straightforward and still easily serviced. Check for physical
damage and that the lamp and ballast still work. Often the white
reflective paint on the interior needs to be renewed. |
