Enlarger Axomat 5 Manual

Description of apparatus

The Axomat 5 enlarger is designed to enlarge photographic pictures from negatives on 35 mm film. Axomat 5 instruments can be used both for black-and-white and colour blow-ups. A lens f - 50 mm is designed for enlarging from a 35 mm film. The light source is represented by an opal lamp.

The instrument is designed for intermittent operation current in function of any enlarger. But even a continuous operation can never damage the apparatus.

Axomat 5 is provided with a metal negative carrier with a splitline focusing system and with a film carrier placed in a box. When enlarging smaller negatives, for instance 18 x 24 mm or 24 x 24 mm edges are screened by replaceable masks of corresponding sizes which are placed in the upper part of the carrier. Moreover, the carrier enables placing of a framed slide 5 x 5 cm. When using a lens of f - 50 mm focal length it is possible to achieve the biggest linear enlargement of about 13 x and the smallest enlargement of 2.5 x. Linearly, the picture can also be reduced up to 1.4 x on a suitable support. Axomat 5 is provided with a lens ring with a mount thread of M 39 x 1.

Together with its stand the instrument can be turned by 180° round the foot screw in the baseboard. In that way it is possible to obtain an even larger enlargement when projecting outside the baseboard, for instance on the floor. By turning the instrument by 90° round the stand in horizontal position it is possible to achieve enlargements of any size by projecting on a vertical plane.

The apparatus Axomat 5 is also capable of restituting pictures; in that way it is possible to make up for the convergent lines on the negative brought about when taking pictures of different works of architecture, etc. The shift of the apparatus along the bar is facilitated by the shift turnknob with a handle and by the gearing along the rack.

The focusing turnknob and the friction mechanism ruling out idling enables lens carrier shift when focusing. The stand tube is provided with a scale for enlargement determination according to the table on the slide mount and for exposure time calculation in case of enlargement change. The size of the baseboard is 420 x 590 mm. The supply cord is 2.2 m long. It is provided with a switch and plug. In the Axomat 5 enlarger it is possible to use the colour head Color 4-ES with its own light source; this facilitates extremely enlargement on colour material. By using other accessories which can be bought to complete the Axomat 5 the instrument can be turned into a universal enlarger for negatives 24 x 36 mm and smaller.

The Axomat 5 enlarger can be supplied either with a lamp house for an opal lamp and a condenser illumination system or with a colour head Color 4-ES with halogen lamp and a diffusion illuminating system.

Technical data

Legend to Fig. A
1 - screws
2 - basic body
3 - stop turnknob
4 - focusing turnknob
5 - screw
6 - drawer for correction filters or for ground glass
7 - lens
8 - shift turnknob

Operating instructions

The Axomat 5 enlarger is supplied from the Meopta plant packet. It is delivered either with a lamp house (Fig. A) or with the colour head Meopta Color 3. The instrument has to be assembled from individual units in the package.

Fix to the baseboard the stand foot (Fig. B-1) using the lever. Introduce into the foot the tube with rack and safeguard it by tightening the screw (Fig. C-1). The lug of the rack must fit in the recess in the stand foot (Fig. C). Introduce the body of the instrument by its pin into the opening in the slide mount and safeguard the assembly by the stop turnknob (Fig. D-1). Slide the negative carrier into the instrument body. The film carriers in the box can be screwed on the negative carrier. By means of a coin or a similar object loosen two screws in the condenser (Fig. E-1) and separate the condenser part from the lamp house. Screw into the lamp house the lamp for enlargers according to Table 1. Once again, screw together the lamp house with the condenser, install the condenser, safeguard it with the screw, place this assembly on the basic body (Fig. A-2) and tighten it by means of two screws (Fig. A-1). Slide into the condenser house the correction filter socket (Ftg. A-6) and the enlarger is ready for operation. The lens carrier accommodates the lens ring safeguarded by a screw (Fig. A-5). The basic lens f - 50 can be replaced by the lens f - 30 with countersunk lens ring for negatives 13 x 17 mm and smaller.

1. Light source - lamp

For enlargers a special opal lamp with maximum input 150 W max., bulb diameter 70 mm and base E 27, see Table 1, is used. There must be no inscriptions or surface unevenness on the lamp top.

Table 1

2. Lamp replacement

The enlarger is supplied without a lamp. The lamp can be installed in the instrument provided the apparatus is disconnected from the mains!

Replacement is carried out in the same way as described in instructions.

3. Enlargement connection to mains

Introduce the supply cord into the mains socket and light up the lamp by the switch. When operating the instruments the vent holes of the lamp house or of the Color 4-ES colour head must not be closed!

4. Negative placing in the carrier and masking

The negative carrier design allows for film strip introduction, removal or shift even with the negative carrier installed in the apparatus. The described operations can be carried out with the negative carrier open. This can be achieved by pressing against the upper carrier part clamp in the upward direction (Fig. F-1) up to the position safeguarded by the stopping system. The film strip can be fixed by pressing the lever on the lefthand clamp side against the instrument (Fig. F-2). When threading short film strips or individual negatives the carrier must be always taken out from the instrument. Negatives smaller than the basic size 24 x 36 mm should be screened by replaceable masks with fixed sizes for negative formats 24 x 24 mm (Fig. G-1) or 18 x 24 mm (Fig. G-2) to be introduced in the upper carrier part (Fig. H). The negative carrier allows for introduction of framed slides 5 x 5 cm which are also installed in the upper carrier part (Fig. H). 'The film carrier can be screwed on the negative carrier (Fig. G-3).

5. Adjustment of the required image enlargement

Place auxiliary paper of the same size as the sensitive paper serving for image enlargement on the baseboard or on the masking system.

By switching on the enlarger lamp the image can be projected on the auxiliary paper. Open fully the lens aperture by turning the aperture ring until the lowest aperture number appears. By turning the shift turnknob (Fig. A-8) it is possible to lift or to descend the instrument along the stand until the desired image enlargement is reached. At the same time, the image can be continuously focused on the auxiliary paper by turning the focusing knob (Fig. A-4).

Since the sight turnknob is controlled by the right hand and the focussing turnknob is adapted for left hand control, it is possible to observe constantly a focused image in its size. The turnknob rotation sense is identical: in the sense of maximum enlargement the two turnknobs are turned in one sense, in the sense of minimum enlargement the two turnknobs are turned in opposite senses.

6. Image focusing

If suitable illumination is adjusted, focus accurately the image. The negative carrier is provided with a split-line focusing system operated in the following way.

Pull out the carrier from the instrument into a position when thrust springs snap in into frame recesses.

The image in the image plane will disappear and a pattern will appear instead caused by splitline focusing. If the image is not correctly focused, the pattern will look as (Fig. CH-a) or as (CH-b). Turn the focusing turnknob in one or the other sense until a continuos line is projected (Fig. CH-c). In that way the negative is accurately focused too. Slide the negative carrier back in the instrument and the entire focusing operation can be considered as ended. In case of enlargement changes repeat the procedure.

When enlarging from a framed slide put into the upper part of the carrier it is not possible to use the split-line focusing system.

7. Lens screening

After adjustment of enlargement, focusing and/or of the negative masking cut-out set the sitable lens aperture by turning the aperture ring (Fig. A-7) with aperture numbers, for instance, 4.5; 5.6; 8; 11; 16; and 22. In the interest of optimum illumination and pattern uniformity it is recommended to screen the lens to a working aperture 5.6 or 8. Set the selected aperture number against the white mark. In lenses Anaret S 4.5/50 the selected aperture number appears in the little frame. With the enlarger lamp glowing this number is illuminated. The numbers are selected (with the exception of the first number 4.5) in such a way that the subsequent higher number signifies half light quantity passing through the lens.

The aperture ring has a snap-in device indicating the correct adjustment of the required aperture number. The snap-in sound facilitates accurate aperture adjustment during dark chamber work. It is sufficient to count the number of the snap-ins. In that way it is possible to set accurately the required aperture. In Anaret S lenses the aperture ring can also be set between individual aperture number positions by pulling the aperture ring down. In that way individual snap-ins for individual positions are eliminated.

8. Exposure of sensitive paper and exposure time test

If the image on the baseboard is correctly placed, focused an the lens properly screened, proceed in the following way.

Switch off the lamp, put the photographic paper in the focused image plane with the sensitive layer towards the lens and expose it by lighting up the lamp. Affer exposure, development and fixation assess whether the exposure is correct or not and/or repeat the test with a different exposure time until a correct result is achieved. It is convenient to use the equipment for strip exposure and carry out several exposures by gradual masking. These tests should then lead to correct exposure. The sensitive black-and-white paper can be left exposed to the light passing through the red filter for 30 s with the enlargement 2x. When using the sensitive colour paper the red filter cannot be used!

Apart from turning, the red filter can also be shifted. Depending on the lens used place the red filter in optimum position under the lens.

For measurement of different illumination levels during the enlargement process it is advisable to use the exposure system Meosix 1 - 392 821 890 192. This apparatus allows for optimum exposure of the photographic paper and for achievement of a high degree of reproducibility in black-and-white and colour photograph.

9. Slide projection

The design of the negative carrier allows for slide projections in strips or in individual frames.

Slide film strip - threaded in the frame just like negatives. Project on a white support. The splitline focusing system can be used. Carrier control identical to that in enlargement operations.

Individual slides - in frames or glasses 5 x 5 cm should be put in the upper part of the carrier, in the area for smaller format masks. Projection either on the baseboard provided with a white support or on the wall by turning the head by 90°. Depending on the way of projection the slide is oriented in the negative carrier.

10. Enlargement outside the baseboard

If you want to obtain big blow-ups, project the image outside the baseboard either on the floor or on the wall.

a) Floor projection (Fig. I)

Put the enlarger on the table so that the baseboard edge be on the front table edge. The baseboard should be conveniently loaded, e.g. with books, etc. Release the lever on the lower side of the baseboard (Fig. B-1), turn the apparatus together with the stand round the baseboard bolt by 180° and lock the position by lever tightening. Project the picture on the floor or on any other suitable support. Proceed then as in normal enlargement.

b) Wall projection (Fig. J)

If we want to achieve an even higher enlargement, enlarge by horizontal projection on a vertical wall. Put the enlarger on a table, release the stop turnknob (Fig. A-3), turn the instrument proper by 90° into the horizontal position and block it by stop turnknob tightening. Enlargement should be carried out by approaching or removing the apparatus from the wall on which the enlargement should be obtained.

11. Reduction

When making reduction or pictures in a scale 1 :1 (e.g. slide making) up to enlargement 2.5x proceed in the following way. Set the image size by turning the focusing turnknob (Fig. A-4) and focus the image by turning the turnknob for enlargement adjustment (Fig. A-8), i.e. by the motion of the instrument along the stand. Reduction operations are therefore the opposite of enlargement operations. It the largest possible reduction is to be achieved, set the lens carrier by means of the focusing turnknob as far as possible from the negative. Descend now the instrument along the stand by turning the turnknob downwards until a sharp picture appears on the support at a height of about 10 cm placed on the baseboard.

12. Correction of concurrent lines

If the camera is inclined during picture taking, concurrent instead of parallel line are obtained on the negative. During enlargement operations the correction can be carried out in the following way.

Set the negative into the negative carrier in such a way so that the lines concur right of the negative; set the required enlargement. Release the stop turnknob (Fig. K-1) and incline the instrument and incline the instrument until you get parallel lines on the parallel plane. Using the stop turnknob (Fig. K-1) fix the instrument in this position. Focus the negative centre by shifting the instrument along the shift tube using the shift turnknob (Fig. K-2).

After screw loosening (Fig. K-3) the lens carrier should be inclined; at the same time to should be moved until the picture is focused uniformly all over the surface area and until the lens axis passes through the negative centre. After that tighten the screw (Fig. K-3). Focus the image by moving the instrument along the tube. If, after the first adjustment, the line balancing is not satisfactory, correct the instrument inclination and repeat the procedure. By the adjustment is satisfactory, screen the lens at least to aperture number 8. In that way you can make up for possible minor unsharpness. The image has, by now, parallel lines, but part of the picture is illuminated more intensely. For that reason it has to be partially screened during exposure. It is always possible to return to the original position thansk to the lens carrier scale and to the instrument scale enabling the set values recording.

13. Enlargement on colour material

a) By condenser illuminating system

If you want to enlarge colour negatives in a system provided with a lamp house and an opal lamp, use for that purpose a set of correction filters. The filters 7.5 x 7.5 cm should be placed in the filter drawer directly(Fig. L-1); for filters 7 x 7 cm a reduction insert should be used. Maximum number of filters to be placed in the drawer is 4. They are protected from excessive heating by a heat filter (Fig. L-2) fixed above the drawer. When sensitive colour paper is to be threaded the redfilter must not be used! Work should be carried out only in prescribed dark chamber light!

b) By colour head Color 4-ES 392 821 621 061

The colour head Color 4-ES should be completed with a mixing chamber 24 x 36 - 392 821 620 101 designed for work with an enlarger provided with a lens f - 30-50 mm. This mixing chamber is not part of the standard accessories and is supplied as special accessories. The colour head facilitates substantially corrections of colour filters or slides by enabling continuous setting of the colour subtractive filtration. Especially in connection with the system for exposure measurement Meosix 1 - 392 821 890 192 and with the colour analyser Meosix Color 1 - 392 821 890 174 it is possible to adjust optimum colour component relations in the enlarger lens beam.

Detailed description of colour head Color 4-ES function can be found in the separate operating instructions for this instrument.

Enlarger maintenance

The enlarger is a precise product requiring precise servicing. It should be stored in a dry premise and protected form dust by a suitable cover. Wet or soiled hands should never touch the instrument, especially when we work with solutions and chemicals.

1. Condenser cleaning

Loosen two screws (Fig. A-1) and take the condenser and the lamp house out of the instrument. After loosening the screw (Fig. E-2) and by turning the condenser mount the entire condenser can be removed. Clean both surfaces using a hair brush or a clean cloth.

2. Lens cleaning

Pick the lens (Fig. A-7) with he fingers of one hand and loosen the screw (Fig. A-5) with the other hand. Pull downwards the lens ring and the lens and remove dust from the two lens outside surfaces with a fine hair brush or with a fine clean cloth.

3. Maintenance of the shift and friction mechanisms

The stand tube including the rack and the focusing system rod should be kept clean. If necessary, wipe the rod with a cloth saturated with machine oil or vaseline. If after a longer time the focusing turnknob run is too rigid or too easy, adjust it by tightening the screws which hold the spring. The friction mechanism run must be continuous and smooth.