Beseler 23 CII out of alignment?

[Stephen Prunier]

While I was making some contact prints with my Beseler 23 CII, I noticed that the light coming from the enlarger head wasn't lining up with the base. This was while using an empty negative carrier. The light was falling off the left side of the base by two inches. Then on the right side, it was equal distance in from the right edge. Is this normal? Or is my enlarger out of alignment? The contact prints and my 8x10 prints looks sharp as far as my aging eyes can tell!

Thank's

 

[Stephen Prunier]

I went and checked just for that, when I was in the middle of writing the post. Wanted to make sure I eliminated all the possible "human errors" first

 

[tedr1]

Conrad Hoffman wrote some notes about alignment of the 23C that can be found here about half way down the page http://www.conradhoffman.com/darkmeasure.htm

and also here

http://www.conradhoffman.com/beseler01.htm

What matters is whether all parts of the negative are in focus. Using a focus magnifier that works in the corners the focus can be checked, this is the device that does that

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262529256894?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

every darkroom should have one

 

[Stephen Prunier]

Thanks, and yes I do use a grain focusing magnifier. I've had the enlarger for several years, but yesterday was the first time I noticed it.

 

[mklw1954]

Do you have the upper bellows set to the right level for the negative carrier used?

 

[Stephen Prunier]

Do you have the upper bellows set to the right level for the negative carrier used?

Yes I did. I just came out from printing some 8x10"s and everything looks fine. So I don't think it's effecting anything.