Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Notices

Go Back   Film and Darkroom User > Equipment > Darkroom

  ***   Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks   ***

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5th April 2021, 07:22 PM
theobrown theobrown is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 17
Default Understanding Paterson Enlarger

Hello,

I am new to this forum, and also relatively new to photography and I was hoping someone could help me out.

I recently bought a Paterson B&W 35mm Enlarger online, and it arrived without any instructions (can't find any online either). I have assembled it using common sense but am slightly confused. The lens fits at the bottom ok, but there seems to be another larger convex lens that I'm not sure where to put.

I understand there are two types of enlarger, but I don't even know which of condenser or diffuser my enlarger is, seeing as there is only one of these large lenses. Perhaps there is one missing and this would constitute the condenser part of the enlarger (if there was another one I'm not sure they would fit)?

So I'm wondering where to put this large lens, which comes with a plastic ring to put it in, and a metal wire ring to hold it in place. I hope my explanations are clear enough for someone to help.

A point in the right direction would be great - a link to a manual or instructions or something, since I bought this second hand it came with no instructions.

I have attached a photo of the lens with accessories:
Click image for larger version

Name:	169121913_752500055655519_3376214928598865512_n.jpg
Views:	336
Size:	62.6 KB
ID:	4139
and of the enlarger itself:
Click image for larger version

Name:	168066244_478642296609431_4588044840568730732_n.jpg
Views:	424
Size:	119.5 KB
ID:	4140

Thanks
Theo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6th April 2021, 07:05 AM
mpirie mpirie is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Highlands of Scotland
Posts: 430
Default

I can't help with a manual, but that's a condenser enlarger.

The spare lens and retainer should be fitted as they will be used to even out the light coming from the lamp.

You should find space to have both condenser lenses fitted with the convex faces facing each other and the flat faces looking at the lamp and lens respectively.

Paterson are still in business, so it might be worth giving them a call for a manual or diagram.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6th April 2021, 07:21 AM
John King John King is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: County Durham
Posts: 3,318
Default

If the 'spare'lens seems larger it may simply not fit the holder and may be not from that enlarger. There were some enlargers that only ever had one condenser, not many I grant but it may be one of them.

The best people to speak to will probably be Second Hand Darkroom which at present is closed for a premises move. He may even have a spare condenser that would fit.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6th April 2021, 07:45 AM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jersey Channel Islands
Posts: 5,433
Default

The convex lens is a condenser, which shpuld fit above the enlagging lens, between the bulb and the negative carrier, a lot of enlargers used for black and white enlargers use condenser's
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6th April 2021, 08:38 AM
Michael Michael is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ballinderry Lower, Co. Antrim
Posts: 1,345
Default

Theo, this link could be a copy of the instructions, worth having anyway even if it doesn't address your specific issue.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6th April 2021, 09:38 AM
theobrown theobrown is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 17
Default

Thanks, I've gathered from looking online that condensers have two lenses facing away from each other. However there is only one of these lenses, so perhaps, as others say it is a rare example of a single lens condenser enlarger.
Otherwise I'm not sure a second reflex lens would fit. Nor why they didn't include one in the package.
Thanks for the link to that manual, think it's wise to get that.
I will have a play around and hopefully it will work.
Thanks everyone for the advice,
Theo

Last edited by theobrown; 6th April 2021 at 09:41 AM. Reason: something to add
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6th April 2021, 10:27 AM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jersey Channel Islands
Posts: 5,433
Default

It look like a early Patterson enlarger, possibly from the 60's, and very many enlarger's from that period have just the 1 condenser, does your condenser a flat surface one side and convex the other,? if so that would indicate that it is part of a pair, if it it convex on both sides that indicates a single condenser, diffuser enlargers are normally for colour, or MG enlargers with the built in filters,
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7th April 2021, 04:52 PM
theobrown theobrown is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 17
Default

Richard
It seems like the enlarger just has the one condenser. The lens has one flat side and one convex side. The buyer sent me an online pdf of the manual and I've managed to assemble it. The only way the condenser fits (and makes sense from things I've found online) is to put the condenser lens curved side upwards, and this has correctly projected the negative, so all seems well.
I'm waiting for my paper to arrive, then I will develop some prints and let you know how they come out. Very excited.
Theo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 7th April 2021, 06:35 PM
SteveW SteveW is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Essex
Posts: 94
Default

Hi Theo, just noticed you are up the road from me (Purleigh)so if I can help in any way let me know.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10th April 2021, 10:09 AM
theobrown theobrown is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 17
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveW View Post
Hi Theo, just noticed you are up the road from me (Purleigh)so if I can help in any way let me know.
Thanks Steve, that's kind of you, and good to know.
I did my first prints thursday night and they came out very well, very exciting.
Theo
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
darkroom, enlarger, lens
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wiring in a new Paterson 2000D timer to LPL enlarger judekendall Darkroom 5 29th August 2019 04:05 PM
Paterson (Philips) Enlarger Timer PDT 2015 woes KidderJem Darkroom 5 18th June 2016 06:15 AM
FS: Paterson 2000D Enlarger Timer wilfbiffherb Sale or Wanted 0 30th July 2013 11:17 AM
Paterson colour 35 enlarger Jesevs Darkroom 19 28th June 2013 03:38 PM
Very Cheap! Paterson colour enlarger John51 Sale or Wanted 2 3rd May 2009 08:04 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.