Aligning Beseler 67c

[emurray]

Over the course of using my new (to me) Beseler 67c, I've discovered that the thing is out of alignment. I noticed that some of my really detailed negs came out slightly out of focus when printing (with grain focuser) 8x8 prints from 6x6 120 negs shot in my rolleiflex mx. I have also noticed that when I remove the neg from the carrier and open the lens as far as it will go, and shine light on the baseboard, one side of the square is slightly out of focus. I've noticed that I can get the entire square in focus if tug on the enlarger head a bit, which leads me to believe it is out of alignment. I know this is a "budget" enlarger, but I still think I should be able to align it better than it is now.

Problem is, I bought the enlarger second hand and don't have a manual. I've scoured the net looking for it and can't find one. I'd love to know how to align this enlarger if anyone can forward a manual or lend some advice as to which screws to turn.

eric

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, don't have a 67C in front of me, but basically you want to align the negative stage to the baseboard. The neg. stage may have screws for leveling it. If you put a 8x10 piece of glass on the neg stage and check the distance of each corner is to the baseboard, you can level it.

Jon

 

[emurray]

thanks for the tip Jon. I'll try that.

My problem is that I am unsure which screws to start turning... Hopefully someone with a manual or some experience with this enlarger can chime in with some more info.

 

[pandino]

Eric,

From my 67C manual:

To adjust the Negative and Lens stages, loosen (don't remove) the two Philips head screws on each side of the negative stage. The entire assembly may then be tilted from side to side and front to back until aligned. Tighten screws to secure.

Chris

 

[pandino]

Eric,
Something else to consider...

The enlarger has three condenser lenses. Two marked "A," that always remain in place and one marked "B," the is left in place for small formats only.

Won't affect the focus, but will affect the evenness of illumination.

 

[emurray]

pandino,

thanks so much for that info. I'll take a look at loosening those screws. Yeah, I had that "B" condenser lens in there for awhile when I started making 6x6 enlargements before I learned it was for smaller formats. Thanks so much for the help. You wouldn't happen to have your 67c manual in a PDF format would you?

eric

 

[pandino]

Sorry, no PDF and no scanner. PM me your address and I'll mail you a Xerox copy.
Chris

 

[emurray]

What a great guy. Thanks so much for offering.

eric

 

[Ric.]

How do you align the LENS .
The Neg. Stage is good and the base is good but the lens is WHY out !

 

[Jon Shiu]

You can align the lens by shimming the lensboard with tape.

Another method would be align the lens plane by shimming the column or easel, and then realign the negative stage to parallel.

Jon

 

[MattKing]

If the lens is way out of alignment, I would guess one of three things:

1) The enlarger has been damaged;
2) The lensboard isn't seated properly in the slot for it; or
3) The lens isn't properly installed in the lensboard.

 

[bernard_L]

This is an old thread, but the answer is in this manual:
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_67CS.pdf
page 7. The lens stage alignment screws are hidden behind the bellows.
Edit. The manual above is not for the 67C mentioned by the OP. And the 67C does not seem to have an adjustment for the lens stage relative to the negative stage. See:
https://objectif-argentique.com/pdf/beseler67part1.pdf
https://objectif-argentique.com/pdf/beseler67part2.pdf

 

[M Carter]

I owned one for years and printed 16x20 lith prints, wide open with the thing.
First, get a versalab parallel if you don't want to monkey around. Worth every penny.
Align the neg stage with the screws and hope you have enough play;
And get an adjustable lens board, like the old Besalign - or use my handy PDF to make your own. You'll be pretty hosed without an alignable board.

If you get a Parallel, toss those silly rubber band that come with it - get the proper-sized screw on filter for your lens (just a trashed old UV or ND, doesn't matter) and tape a tab of paper to the inner surface and use that to check the lens plane. I have an MXT now, which seems to lose alignment with any major size change - I get it perfect in a minute or so with the parallel. Considering how many of us have spent pennies-on-the-dollar for our gear, buying one $200 bit of gear didn't hurt too bad!

 

[bernard_L]

And get an adjustable lens board, like the old Besalign - or use my handy PDF to make your own. You'll be pretty hosed without an alignable board.!

Brillant!
Indeed, I have a 67CS. No adjustment for lensboard relative to neg stage (the link I gave in my post above, despite the docuent title "Beseler_67CS.pdf" is actually for a a 67SC)
As soon as confinement is lifted here (somewhere in Yurp) I'll go to my University lab workshop and convert my lensboard. Need to make sure the 50mm lens can still focus at all magnifications.