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With the Complete Enlarger losing
money, Simmon Bros. were in danger of going under soon after they
started. It was clear that a simpler lower priced enlarger was
required. The result was the Omega B, a 2¼x2¼ format enlarger with
interchangeable lenses and negative carriers, priced at half the
cost of the Complete Enlarger.
The Omega B had a simple steel
tubular column, with two aluminum beams supporting the projector
assembly. The light source was a clear prefocused 75w or 100w lamp
with an opal diffusion disc between the lamp
and condenser lenses. The enlarger did not have a bellows. Instead,
focusing was by a lever activating a telescoping tube. The red knob
on the lever added a splash of colour and became an unofficial Omega
hallmark for years after. A single tape style spring reel was used
to counterbalance the weight of the enlarger head. Since there was
no electrical device other than the lamp, the Omega B was suitable
for both AC and DC operation.
The new enlarger performed well and
was readily accepted in the marketplace, with sales growing quickly
enough to ensure the survival of the small company. Although the
Super Omega B followed not long after, with its relatively low
price, the Omega B continued to sell well for some time after
civilian production resumed following the war.
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