Beseler 23C II

CraigH · Apr 9, 2007

I just got a Beseler 23CII. What are the pros & cons with this & the Omega B7. I like the idea of the head moving up & down when switching between medium format & 35mm. I HATE the autofocus on the B7. The up & down crank is broken (the handle part is cracked off). Beseler's website shows they have this part. Probably costs an arm & a leg.

Also I have an owners manual for a 23C III XL. Anyone want to trade that for a 23C II manual?

Craig

reellis67 · Apr 9, 2007

I think that I have the crank that you need, and you are welcome to it for the cost of shipping. I also have the manual that you need in PDF format and will send it to you as soon as I can find the time. When I get home I will see if I have the crank assembly still and if so, I'll shoot you a PM or an email.

- Randy

craigclu · Apr 9, 2007

I've got the 23CII manual scanned into a pdf file. Let me know if you want a copy and your email address. It's scanned at quite high res so that the photos remained usable, so it's quite a large file in case that's an issue for you...

Daniel_OB · Apr 9, 2007

I have 23CIII but I think there are no difference actually. If you can add apo-rodagon (Rodenstock lens) you have the best. What I do is I add matt tracing paper in the filter drawer to get difuse light. It aslo add posibility to use any light bulb that cost $1 for there is no trace of the bulb wire on the projected negative due to tracing paper.
If enlarger is stable and has all movements you have on your, with the same lens, should be no difference between any. Any difference you can find is aesthetic, condenser design, negative size, stability, light leak, .... Again what you have nothing is better, even Leitz IIc.
www.Leica-R.com

BWKate · Apr 9, 2007

I'm looking for 645 carriers for the Beseler 23CII. I think they are called Beseler 8048.

konakoa · Apr 9, 2007

Beseler has a refurbishing kit for 23Cs. It has a new handle, springs, cams and other parts that usually become worn out with time and heavy use. It's a pretty worthwhile and useful kit. Although, it's about $100. Depending on the condition of your 23C, it may not be worth the cost.

Jon Shiu · Apr 9, 2007

The 23C is a nice enlarger, but not so easy to align on the side to side axis, esp. if the gears are worn.

Jon

foxyscootie · Apr 9, 2007

Hey guys, would you also send me a copy of the 23CII manual? I recently acquired one & haven't had any luck in locating a copy of the manual.

Thanks
~Val

Changeling1 · Apr 9, 2007

Rebuild kits

CraigH said:
I just got a Beseler 23CII. What are the pros & cons with this & the Omega B7. I like the idea of the head moving up & down when switching between medium format & 35mm. I HATE the autofocus on the B7. The up & down crank is broken (the handle part is cracked off). Beseler's website shows they have this part. Probably costs an arm & a leg.

Also I have an owners manual for a 23C III XL. Anyone want to trade that for a 23C II manual?

Craig

Freestyle & others sell a Beseler "rebuild" kit for that enlarger and IIRC, it wasn't too expensive. Of course enlargers of any brand are being sold at very low prices- or given away so the value of the rebuild kit is relative.

The tech guy(s) at Beseler are very helpful for specific advice.

My first enlarger was the 23C 11 XL purchased in '77 and it still works flawlessly.

MattKing · Apr 9, 2007

Craig:

How close to Millville New Jersey are you? That's home for the Charles Beseler Company.

Here's their link:

http://www.beselerphoto.com/

Matt

CraigH · Apr 9, 2007

reellis67 said:
I think that I have the crank that you need, and you are welcome to it for the cost of shipping. I also have the manual that you need in PDF format and will send it to you as soon as I can find the time. When I get home I will see if I have the crank assembly still and if so, I'll shoot you a PM or an email.

- Randy

I am interested if you still have it.

Craig

reellis67 · Apr 9, 2007

It looks like I already found a home for it. I have a part enlarger that I've been using to help people get theirs up and running again, but that part was already gone when I checked just now, sorry. I do however have the manual - just shoot me an email with and I'll reply with the manual attached.

- Randy

fredsanford740t · May 26, 2010

Hi all... I'm new to this forum and have a question pertaining to this thread. I am considering bidding on this condenser lens assembly on ebay for the BESELER 23C 23CII Enlarger.

( http://cgi.ebay.com/CONDENSER-LENS-...ultDomain_0&hash=item19bc72e45a#ht_617wt_1138 )

Does anyone here happen to know the focal length of the lens(es) in this assembly? I would like to try to use the enlarger lens for the purpose of light culmination in an home-built LCD projector. Questions, comments, thoughts?

Thank you!

Beseler 23C II

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