Aligning a Beseler Enlarger

[Kilgallb]

I have a mis-aligned Beseler Enlarger. Does anyone know how to assure the negative stage is parallel to the lens.

I have figured out how to make the lens or negative parallel in all directions to the baseboard, but I cannot see a way to adjust the negative stage to the lens.

I have one corner that is out of focus when the other three corners and the center are in focus. I rotated the lens 180 degrees and the refocus remains in the same place so I know it is not the lens.

Here is a picture of the Enlarger. the green thing is my home made LED light source.

 

[btaylor]

I have a similar issue. I cannot get them parallel with any obvious adjustments, so I shim the lens board. I use a laser alignment tool to assure everything is straight. There is also an adjustable Beseler lens board, I have one but haven’t yet used it. Good luck! You’ll figure out a solution.

 

[mshchem]

I think the LED can light is giving off bad voodoo. Make sure you don't get electrocuted, I wouldn't want to be found with that green thing

Seriously get one of the adjustable boards. The newer version Beseler that has the square focusing bellows has Allen screws that you can adjust the lens board holder.

I have a couple of the newer units, they use some cheaper bits in places but are easier to adjust. I've never really had one that was way out (luck)

 

[M Carter]

Seriously get one of the adjustable boards. The newer version Beseler that has the square focusing bellows has Allen screws that you can adjust the lens board holder.)

Here's a PDF I made for anyone wanting to DIY a "Besalign" lens board. Not that hard to do, materials are cheap, a machine shop could knock 'em out quickly I'm sure. I've made a couple from scratch.

To the OP: first off, bite the bullet and buy a versalab parallel. MXTs seem to lose alignment for larger prints whenever you change sizes and setups. The Parallel is worth every penny (and they show up used on eBay, B&H, etc). If you have and adjustable lens board and a Parallel, you can align your enlarger in minutes - like, literally 2-3 minutes for perfect alignment.

BTW, you start with the neg plane - there are bolts to adjust fore/aft tilt and left/right tilt. You stick a piece of glass in the neg carrier space and align with the Parallel. Then you stick the lens board on and align it. The Parallel ships with a goofy glass and rubber band contraption to present a flat surface at the lens plane - just buy the correct size cheapo UV filter for you enlarger lens threads and tape a scrap of paper to the back side of it, and store it with the Parallel.

Really, that thing is one of the most kickass tools out there if you print big and have alignment issues. I do 16x20 and 20x24 lith prints wide open now.

 

[mshchem]

Here's a PDF I made for anyone wanting to DIY a "Besalign" lens board. Not that hard to do, materials are cheap, a machine shop could knock 'em out quickly I'm sure. I've made a couple from scratch.

To the OP: first off, bite the bullet and buy a versalab parallel. MXTs seem to lose alignment for larger prints whenever you change sizes and setups. The Parallel is worth every penny (and they show up used on eBay, B&H, etc). If you have and adjustable lens board and a Parallel, you can align your enlarger in minutes - like, literally 2-3 minutes for perfect alignment.

BTW, you start with the neg plane - there are bolts to adjust fore/aft tilt and left/right tilt. You stick a piece of glass in the neg carrier space and align with the Parallel. Then you stick the lens board on and align it. The Parallel ships with a goofy glass and rubber band contraption to present a flat surface at the lens plane - just buy the correct size cheapo UV filter for you enlarger lens threads and tape a scrap of paper to the back side of it, and store it with the Parallel.

Really, that thing is one of the most kickass tools out there if you print big and have alignment issues. I do 16x20 and 20x24 lith prints wide open now.

That's great!

 

[btaylor]

+2. The Versalab tool makes alignment a snap. So easy.

 

[M Carter]

+2. The Versalab tool makes alignment a snap. So easy.

For printing big, they're simply priceless. Do you use the rubber bands on the lens or a spare filter? I bought cheap eBay filters for all my lenses, ridiculously easier than Versalab's solution. I emailed them requesting they add that to their instructions but never heard back.