8x10 conversion Beseler 45

[claudius]

hi phil
thank you for your interest.
i have put you on the waiting list.
ready in app one month.
klaus

 

[claudius]

conversion kit
app. shipping prices as per dec 2021:

usa / world beseler 120 euro ( max 10 kg )
- durst 170 ( max 15 kg )

Europa durst 75 euro
beseler 65 euro
payment on bank transfer or paypal, - preferable in Danish Kroner.

 

[claudius]

hi phil handforth
i have one kit ready for you.
i sent a mess on your email acc.
please give me a haul.
klaus

 

[carlj]

[ Hi, moving this here from the Classified forum: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/beseler-45v-xl-conversion-kit-8x10.187736/page-2 ]

Hi,

I bought one of the kits, finally found a 45V-XL and am in the process of setting it up. I'm using a Rodagon 240mm f5.6 enlarging lens with a custom lens board to fit (this lens is a lot bigger than the Beseler Rodagon 240mm f9). I have a few questions which maybe someone can help with.

+ Alignment (negative stage) Does anyone have observations or tips about aligning the 8x10 negative carrier stage since it sits way north of the Beseler 4x5 negative carrier which has the alignment screws? Seems like adjusting those screws only effects the lower half of the negative carrier -- and the conversion sits on the upper half of the original 4x5 negative carrier assembly.

+ Vignetting. With the 240mm 5.6 Rodagon I'm seeing vignetting at the corners at smaller sizes (I'd like to be able to make approx. 11x14 enlargements) when I stop down beyond 5.6. Wide open it's ok but gets progressively worse at smaller apertures. Normally I think I would be stopping down to around f11 or maybe f16. I can move the negative carrier around a bit but that doesn't ultimately help. I'm playing around with adjusting the size of the image with the upper bellows so maybe I'm just missing something (looking at about 2" or so of upper bellows extension)? It appears to be less of a problem as the image size goes up (e.g. 16x20). FWIW, I have the same Rodagon 240mm 5.6 lens on a 8x10 Super Chromega F (at a different location) and never had any vignetting problems printing 11x14's.

I don't think the light path from negative to lens is being obscured by the enlarger 'throat', although it's pretty close (the 45V-XL was designed to accommodate turret-style lens boards). Suggestions or ideas as to why this vignetting might be happening? I've read over on the LFF about this being a possible issue with the 45V-XL but the resolution seemed somewhat unclear (from adjusting the upper bellows to cutting away a corner of the enlarger throat).

+ Filter options: above or below the lens filters? The f5.6 Rodagon is big enough that it extends beyond the VX-L's below-the-lens filter holder assembly, which I've removed. I've seen Dan McGuire's post (https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/8x10-conversion-durst-138s-g139.171164/#post-2315606) about using the 4x5 negative holder slot for filters. Are there any problems with opening and closing the negative carrier on sharpness (image slightly out of alignment from movement)? I think Klaus mentioned having an above-the-lens filter holder solution but haven't heard back from him yet.

It's super nice having a quiet light source rather than a big Dichroic head and fan (better suited for a small home darkroom).

Thanks

 

[Dani]

I aligned the negative stage on the Beseler and then I check the alignment of the conversion and it was spot on. I used a laser tool and the glass of the 8x10 carrier to check. So aligning the Beseler negative stage should be enough to have the whole 8x10 conversion aligned.

I can't do 11x14 with the APO Gerogon 240mm. I think it's a Beseler thing. I'm sure the 8x10 Super Chromega F has the placement of the light/illumination optimized. I can do 16x20 and just start to see the vignette on the easel's blades and 20x24 is not an issue.

Filters... I'm sure there's a way to fabricate something similar to what Beseler uses, just a longer rod.

 

[carlj]

Thanks for your insights on alignment -- that's very helpful.

Can you say a bit more about happened when trying to use the 240mm Apo Gerogon at 11x14 -- did you get vignetting as well? Which makes me curious if it would be any better with the 240mm f9 Apo Rodagon. I'll have to ask around.

Yes, I was thinking about a longer rod for the filter holder (although maybe easier said than done).

Thanks, again.

 

[fj55mike]

I've got one of the 8x10 conversions for a Durst 138 and I get about 1.5-2 stops of light falloff at 11x14 enlargements using a 240mm Rodagon. The falloff goes away at a 16x20 size. Considering trying a 210 EL-Nikkor which I've heard is able to cover an 8x10 negative at an 11x14 enlargement. A 210 would also bring the lens stage closer to the film plane which might help to mitigate mechanical vignetting.

 

[carlj]

Another 45V-XL conversion kit owner checked for vignetting with an 150mm at 11x14 and that seems to cover ok, or at least there was no mechanical vignetting. I picked up a 150mm as well and confirmed. Haven't actually tried printing yet but it looks promising. Next was thinking of trying a 180mm Rodagon. A 210 is an interesting idea.

thanks

 

[claudius]

UPDATE 8x10" kits
i am ready to make new 8x10 " conversion kits for you.
i have all parts for assembling in a few days.
price is still 560 euro
shipping to EU 65 euro
shipp to rest of the world is app 130 euro euro
please give me a Private Message
klaus
denmark

 

[claudius]

hi beseler users!
i am still making the 8x10 kit for beseler 45 MX and V-XL
for users all over the globe.
klaus

 

[JulienPictures74]

dear Claudius , dear klaus lundsgaard
i'm very interested by your 8x10 conversion kit for Durst 138 ... can you add me to your waiting list please ?
thanks a lot

 

[claudius]

dear reader
sorry to say i am out of materials for the 8x10 conversion kit.
i hope to have some ready very soon, but unfortunately my small order is all ways
last in the que in the laser cutter / cnc bender shops.
one month or two ?

i have a waiting list, if you want to be on it, send me a private message with
your contact information incl. phone number.
kindly
klaus
denmark

 

[koraks]

Moderator note: please limit communication about transactions, purchasing these units etc. to the thread about this product in the Classifieds section: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/8x10-conversion-durst-138s-g139.171164/ Questions about technical details etc. can be discussed in the present thread. The reason is that we try to keep commercial/business/sales stuff in the Classifieds section so it doesn't spill over to the rest of the forum too much. Thanks all!

 

[claudius]

hi matt
i have no idea how this ended up in darkroom equipment.
could you please transfer all of it to classified ??
klaus

 

[MattKing]

For now, we have locked this thread, and suggest those interested in what klaus is doing refer to his Classifieds thread linked to in the post by koraks above.