Beseler 23c ii xl enlarger

Hi, I've acquired a 23cii condenser head but noticed the lamp cap is from an original 23c...the bulb is horizontal instead of pointing into the housing. Does this affect intensity and/or even illumination?

Thanks

I use 4x5 Beseler stuff. I believe that the 23c uses a different (odd) bulb. I think what you describe sounds normal

The older 23CII uses the bayonet base, horizontal-burn PH-111 photo lamp. The newer version uses the E26 Edison screw base, vertical-burn PH-140. Both lamps are 75 watt. The lamp holders are different.

The lamp housings are likely compatible if the holder fits properly into the housing. The newer 23CII housing (using the PH-140 lamp) might need a small modification to allow it to fully seat into the housing. It the lamp holder you have fits your housing without modification, then there is no problem.

If you have a lamp holder mismatch, both types of 23CII lamp holders can be found used on eBay. Some are supplied with an in-line switch in the power cord. Others have no switch