Want to Buy 4x5 diffusion chamber for Ilford 500h head

[MarkL]

I have an Ilford 500h head and smaller format chambers, but not the 4x5!

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Which enlarger is it mounted on? There are different ones depending on the enlarger.

 

[Leigh B]

Which enlarger is it mounted on? There are different ones depending on the enlarger.

That's not mentioned in the User Manual nor in the Service Manual.

- Leigh

 

[George Nova Scotia]

That's not mentioned in the User Manual nor in the Service Manual.

- Leigh

There differences in the drop down - there are "dimples" near the base which determine how far the mixing box goes below the base of Ilford box. The beseler 45 unit is actually made in two parts. A search here on APUG will find a thread with pictures, maybe others with dimensions. Nothing is as simple as it should be there may also be a third manual, but I've only seen one version for a Focomat II.

 

[David Allen]

I have an Ilford 500h head and smaller format chambers, but not the 4x5!

and?

 

[MarkL]

I have a Beseler 45. I do have chambers for smaller formats. When I get home I'll look at the other chambers and the manual. Hoping to purchase the 4x5 so I can use the thing!

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Here are a few pictures of what you need - it comes in two pieces. It took me a while to find them and think I'll hang on to these.

 

[Leigh B]

Here are a few pictures of what you need

What you show is the diffusion installation kit.
The translucent diffuser is not used in condenser installations.

Quoting from section 2.1 of the user manual:
"For some enlargers, two kits are available; a diffuser kit (which converts condenser enlargers to diffuser) or a condenser kit (which enables the enlarger condensers, and therefore, all the associated characteristics, to be retained). In these cases, the choice of kit depends on whether the user prefers diffuse or condensed light."

This is not the same as the mixing chamber, which is what the OP needs.

- Leigh

 

[George Nova Scotia]

What you show is the diffusion installation kit.
The translucent diffuser is not used in condenser installations.

Quoting from section 2.1 of the user manual:
"For some enlargers, two kits are available; a diffuser kit (which converts condenser enlargers to diffuser) or a condenser kit (which enables the enlarger condensers, and therefore, all the associated characteristics, to be retained). In these cases, the choice of kit depends on whether the user prefers diffuse or condensed light."

This is not the same as the mixing chamber, which is what the OP needs.

- Leigh

You are correct, but also look at the notes in section 14 - only one mixing box is supplied with condenser kits. I suspect the OP will let us know. Have you ever seen a condenser kit on a Beseler 45?

 

[Leigh B]

Have you ever seen a condenser kit on a Beseler 45?

The difference is that the condenser kit only has the mixing chamber; nothing below it.

That's how my Beseler 45MX is configured.

- Leigh

 

[George Nova Scotia]

Very interesting. We might be getting off topic here but I'd love to see some pictures - maybe in the darkroom equipment forum.

 

[MarkL]

After digging out my equipment, I see I mis-spoke about my needs. I actually do have the 4x5 chamber but not any adaptor for the Beseler 4x5. Below are pictures of the boxes/adaptors that came with the ebay purchase a few years ago. There was no way to anchor/position the head to the enlarger so I did rookie surgery and screwed an adaptor ring on as shown. I'm still unsure how it's supposed to sit on the enlarger and what I might still need. As I recall, I was having trouble with vignetted corners so maybe the mixing chamber wasn't sitting low enough. Any info is welcome.

 

[paul ewins]

Ilford 500H mixing box for Beseler 45, the LH piece sits in the bottom of the 500H head and protrudes through the base. The RH piece sits on top. If this was manufactured as a one piece unit it wouldn't be possible to remove it without pulling the head apart.

L - R, Beseler 45, Durst L1200, unknown used on Durst 138 conversion

 

[Leigh B]

Ilford 500H mixing box for Beseler 45, the LH piece sits in the bottom of the 500H head and protrudes through the base.

Correct, but only used for diffuser installations.

For condenser installations the mixing box on the right is used by itself.

- Leigh

 

[paul ewins]

Leigh, if he has the smaller mixing boxes then it is most likely the usual diffusion set up. A condenser setup is uncommon.

 

[Leigh B]

Leigh, if he has the smaller mixing boxes then it is most likely the usual diffusion set up. A condenser setup is uncommon.

IF is the most over-used word in the English language.

Assumptions are like a certain part of the human anatomy...
Everyone has one, and they all stink.

I was just quoting information from the Owner's Manual.

- Leigh

 

[MarkL]

You guys are so generous taking and posting pictures, and commenting! So Paul, referring to your last picture, it looks like I have the chamber on the right but I need the one on the left. If I can't find one, I wonder if I could make a crude replacement, even out of foam core board or something. It looks like its purpose is merely to support the upper box. The upper box I have has a thin piece of white acrylic diffusion in the bottom. I wonder why the Beseler box has to be elevated inside the head, since it appears that the lower section is also inside the head. As I recall, the light bulbs inside can be adjusted up or down to shine into the windows in the box.

And what is it that keeps the head from sliding off the enlarger? It must have some kind of collar that the enlarger "retainers" can slide over.

It's been several years since I used the head, but I remember really liking it and its timer.

Mark

 

[paul ewins]

Here are a couple of different adapter plates, the top one is for a Beseler 45 and the bottom one was for an Omega. From memory the four counter sunk holes around the inside edge match up with the screws that hold the retaining slides in place. You remove the slides and then screw the plate in place using the same screw holes. You need counter sunk screws for this - I can't remember whether the ones holding the slides in place are counter sunk or not so you may need to buy some new ones. You can then set the head in place and screw it onto the plate from the underside. The four screw holes around the outside should line up with screw holes in the base of the head.

This is the only photo I could find of it all set up, hopefully that will make it slightly clearer. I sold that enlarger a few years back so I'm afraid I can't do any better than this. The diffusion boxes are all set up to be the same height above the base of the head so that the windows in the side of the box line up with the lamps which loosely clip to the bottom lip of the window (depending on what enlarger your head was used on before they may need to be spaced out from the back of the head to be in the correct place). The different height below the base of the head is all about getting the diffusion panel as close as possible to the negative. The Beseler box has to be longer to cater for all of that compressed bellows you can see in the photo above. You may find that you can get away with using the box you have without any major issues.

 

[MarkL]

So generous of you to help Paul. Thanks very much.

 

[Latif Crowder]

So generous of you to help Paul. Thanks very much.

Hi Mark,
Did you ever find the mixing head for the Besler 45. I now find myself in the same situation.
Am looking for the two part box that Jeorge pictured in an answer above.
Thanks for any help with this.
Latif