8x10 conversion

[Curt]

Has anyone converted a Beseler 45 to a Beseler 810 by adding a neg carrier and lightsource? I've collected the parts for a horizontal enlarger but I have a Beseler 45 and might consider building a top to hold the carrier and light. Any way I look at it I'll have to make a negative carrier. Anyone made an 8x10 negative carrier?
Thanks

 

[Curt]

A really great response... beyond any expectations!!!

Thanks for all of the great information. When I get through all of it I'll post some pictures here. I especially like the idea of mounting a hubble on top and the one about putting an 8x10 field camera on top and using a potato peeler for the holder. In the end I think I'll just use some duct tape after a suggestion from the Canadian man. Again thanks for all of the great ideas.

 

[argus]

Well, Curt,

this must be one of those single threads that noone has an answer for!

G

 

[Jarred McCaffrey]

It's pretty easy to make a glass negative carrier for the beselers. Get 2 pieces of glass cut to a big square or rectangle. The top can be anti-newton glass if you can afford it. Cover the edges with something light safe like red duct tape or red electrical tape to prevent light leaks via the glass. Hinge one side of your glass sandwich--again with duct tape.

Voila! You have a glass negative carrier in any size your heart and budget desires.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Didn't Beseler make their own 8x10" conversion kit for the 45? If you're doing the rest yourself, maybe you can just buy a Beseler neg carrier for it. If not, I'd do it with two sheets of glass like Jarred suggests.

 

[Dave Parker]

David,

Yes Beseler makes a complete conversion kit for the 45 series enlargers, I have been looking for one for a while now, the new ones are expensive, but I have seen them go through ebay for around $500

Dave

 

[Curt]

David you are right about the price, $500. is too much all considered. I have the expertise to make a conversion that is better than what is/was offered by Beseler. I just wanted to know how people handled their conversion. I came to the conclusion a while back that it is better to build a horizontal enlarger instead. This is exactly what Ansel Adams did. He used an old camera as a base for the enlarger adding a diffusion head in the form of a bank of lights.

The main reason to go horizontal is no negative sag, the main reason to go vertical is enlarger space. Not to mention having to dodge and burn vertically.

I figure the more stuff you pile on top of the 45 the more problematic the quality of the resulting image. Besides I might want to enlarge an 11x14 negative or other LF negative. Wouldn't that be the cats meow?

Curt

by the way David one of the screens, 8x10, arrived today and it is really sweet. Very nice fit and finish, you sure do have it down. I got lost in what I ordered, I know that I have an 11x14 and I think I have a 5x7, I hope. Thanks

 

[Dave Parker]

Curt,

The 5x7 left today, and we should be getting to the 11x14 real soon, I would have shipped the 57and 810 together but some how they got out of sequence when we printed the orders out, so the 57 should be there in the next day or so.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

[Curt]

Hi David, you needn't do anything special I'm not in a hurry and I appreciate the quality especially after seeing the 8x10. Several years ago I worked with a wonderful person who eventually went to your towns hospital. I think about her every once and a while. I bet it's cold there now. My next door neighbor is from MT as is my Dentist. Watch out for the prairie dogs!

Thanks,
Curt

 

[Curt]

David, I forgot to say the box was handed to me by the letter carrier and it was packed very well. Thanks
Curt

 

[Loose Gravel]

8x10 neg holders with a coldlight don't need anti-Newton glass. Use one piece of glass (bottom) and one piece white plexi hinged with tape. The white plexi works as the coldlight diffusor and holds the negative flat. Since the light is diffused, no Newton rings form.

 

[Jarred McCaffrey]

Great tip, Loose Gravel. Thanks!