Omega · Large format · 1975–2014
Omega D5
The D5 came out in 1975 as the D2's successor, and KHB Photografix says it stayed in continuous production for almost 40 years, until Omega quietly stopped making enlargers around 2014. The D2's lens cones had become a nuisance, so the D5 borrowed the extended bellows from the D6 and dropped cones entirely. It also got an enclosed column and an improved lamphouse lifting system. It was only ever sold with two heads, the DV variable condenser and the Super Chromega D Dichroic II, which is why D5 listings look so alike. Early ones have gray lamphouses and carriages, and late ones are black. The D5 even outlived the D5500 and ProLab II that were meant to replace it. It's still a workhorse, though KHB warns that a heavily used one can need a lot of work to get back to factory spec. The taller D5XL has its own page here.
D5 condenser (D5V in Berkey literature)Super Chromega II D5 dichroic, with standard power supply or ChromegatrolGrey early units and black late unitsD5XL, the taller column, listed separately
Spec at a glance
- Maker
- Omega
- Stock head
- Condenser
- Launched
- 1975
- Made
- 1975–2014
- Takes
- 16mm and Minox up to 4x5 in
- Light source
- DV variable condenser, 75 W PH211 opal lamp (150 W PH212 optional)
- Color head
- Super Chromega D Dichroic II, 250 W 22.5 V halogen
- Lens mount
- Oval lens plates on a slide-in mount or three-lens turret
- Column
- Enclosed, rack-and-pinion crank, chassis about 42 in tall
- Also listed as
- D-5, D5V, Omega D-5, Super Chromega D5
Darkroom check
Light, carriers, bellows and lens
- Light source and lamp
- The DV condenser head uses two 6½ in condensers and a variable condenser lens, with a 75 W PH211 opal lamp or the hotter 150 W PH212, and KHB Photografix had both lamps in stock in October 2026. The Super Chromega D Dichroic II has 0 to 170 filtration, a cooling fan and a 250 W 22.5 V halogen lamp, which KHB lists but had sold out when we checked. Ask which head it has and for a photo with the light on.
- Carriers and condensers
- The D5 takes Omega's D-series carriers from 16mm up to 4x5 in, in sandwich, rapid shift and glass types. With the DV head, the variable condenser lens goes in different slots for different formats and comes out for 150mm lenses. The dichroic head comes with a 4x5 mixing box, and a 6x7 DB light multiplier shortens exposures for smaller formats. Look in the photos for the carriers and the variable condenser lens.
- Column and bellows
- The D5 has an enclosed column with a rack-and-pinion crank, brass focus rods and an extended bellows. Its reel-type counterbalance springs are older tech than the constant-force springs on later Omegas, and KHB sells a conversion. Ask the seller to crank the head up and down, whether it drifts with the brake off, and for a photo of the bellows with a light inside.
- Alignment
- Omega's alignment tool, a spirit level on a 15 in bar, checks the baseboard, negative stage and lens stage against each other. On arrival, check that all three agree in both directions before you print.
- Lens
- Lenses go on oval lens plates in a slide-in single mount or Omega's three-lens turret, with plates made for lenses with 25mm to 50mm mounts. Check the photos for the mount or turret and a plate for each lens. If a lens is included, the seller should show it on its plate.
- Timer and power
- The DV condenser head plugs into any enlarging timer. The dichroic head needs Omega's standard power supply, ideally with the plug-in voltage stabilizer, or the Chromegatrol supply and timer. If it's a dichroic D5, look for the power supply in the photos.
- Shipping and pickup
- Glennview measures a D5 chassis at about 42 in tall, and KHB lists the DV lamphouse alone at about 8 kg. Blue Moon Camera lists the taller D5XL at 88 lb and sells it for local pickup only. Plan on collecting it, or have the seller remove the condensers and pack the head separately.
Should come with it
- DV lamphouse with two condensers and the variable condenser lens
- Head lifting arms
- Slide-in lens mount or three-lens turret with lens plates
- Carriers for your formats
- Power supply (dichroic version)
- Baseboard
Hard to find if missing
- A complete set of head lifting arms
- Variable condenser lens in good condition
- 35mm DA mixing chamber for the dichroic head
Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing carrier, condenser or lens board should come off the price.
What to check
KHB warns that hard-used D5s can need extensive work to get back to factory spec. It calls the reel-type counterbalance springs outdated and sells a constant-force upgrade, and dichroic heads often need the mixing box relined and a new light seal.
- 01Head type: Ask whether it's the DV condenser head or the Super Chromega dichroic. They need different lamps and parts.
- 02Variable condenser: Look in the photos for the variable condenser lens in its frame. A chipped or missing one has to be replaced.
- 03Lifting arms: Check the photos for both head lifting arms on the carriage. A full set is hard to find on its own.
- 04Elevation: Ask the seller to crank the head through its full travel. It should move evenly and stay put with the brake off.
- 05Bellows: Ask for a photo of the bellows lit from inside in a dark room. No pinholes or splits should show.
- 06Lens mount: Check the photos for the slide-in mount or turret with lens plates. Each lens you'll use needs a plate.
- 07Dichroic power: If it's a dichroic head, look for the power supply or Chromegatrol. The head won't light without one.
- 08Pickup: Ask whether you can collect it in person. Blue Moon Camera won't ship the taller D5XL at all.
New to used enlargers? How to check a used enlarger covers the bellows, the column, the lamp and alignment, and moving a big enlarger covers freight, pickup and taking the column apart.
Find one on eBay
We haven’t been through this model’s listings yet. Search eBay and run every listing through the checklist above. Ask which negative carriers, condensers or mixing box and lens board come with it, for a photo of the lamp lit, and for a photo of the bellows with a light inside them. Pass on any seller who won’t answer.
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