Beseler 23CII lens question

[reverend jay]

I just purchased a beseler 23cII a few weeks ago however it does not have a lens or lensboard. I only need to print 6X6 and I was wondering if these would work out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360080600638

 

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I would recommend a modern 80mm/f4 lens such as a Componon-S.

Jon

 

[fschifano]

These would work, but they're not the highest quality enlarging lenses around. If you intend only modest enlargements, they should be ok but still not great. If you look around, you might be able to find a more modern, and coated, EL-Nikkor, Schneider Componon-S, or Rodenstock Rodagon at a reasonable price.

There's a lot of talk about how inexpensively excellent enlarging lenses can be had on the used market. That's true if you're talking 50 mm. optics for 35 mm. negatives. Longer focal length optics tend to hold more value, simply because there are fewer of them around. Still it is possible to find a good one at a decent prices of $50 to $100. There are a few on Ebay now.

 

[ann]

the lens boards would be worth the 10 dollars, but a would agree with the others about the lenses.

 

[Dennis S]

The lens would be the most important part of printing good picture Going cheap will not work in the long run. I just got the same enlarger and went with Rodenstock Rodagon and I notice the differnce from my old enlarger with a Vivitar lens.

 

[r-brian]

If you're not in a hurry, you can find bargains in lenses. I bought a 23CII a year or so ago. While looking for just lens boards, I ended up getting a lens board with a 80mm Durst Neonon lens attached for $15. The Neonon is a great lens, supposedly made Pentax. I've also bought 80mm and 105mm EL Nikors for under $30.