Beseler 45 MCRX Enlarger part confusing me

[MingMingPhoto]

Hi All I got this Beseler 45 MCRX Enlarger for free and wanted to know if anyone could give me some info on it?

 

[MingMingPhoto]

I'm especially confused by the two parts showed in the photos

 

[MingMingPhoto]

and also confused about this item

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, MingMingPhoto,
It's standard on most Beseler 4 × 5 enlargers. Basically it's a dimmer. By turning the knob, the light output of the lamp can be reduced. It's rarely used, but occasionally could come in handy.
Konical

 

[MingMingPhoto]

ahh wow thank you!
But now that leads to to wonder also aobut this part here. It looks like the wire got cut off, and I imagine this swtich would go into the timer but the weird thing is the switc hactually works as is. It turns the light off and on which makes me belive it's a compelte circut and is not meant to go into a timer?

 

[Konical]

Good Evening Again, MingMing,
That item is simply a 35mm negative holder. It allows prints to be made quickly from adjoining negatives on a strip without removing the carrier from the enlarger. It also tends to hold the negative a bit flatter than the usual carriers do.
Konical

 

[MingMingPhoto]

Good Evening Again, MingMing,
That item is simply a 35mm negative holder. It allows prints to be made quickly from adjoining negatives on a strip without removing the carrier from the enlarger. It also tends to hold the negative a bit flatter than the usual carriers do.
Konical

Thank you, I thnk I should link to a video becasue it's not holding this test roll flat at all also the forwarding mechaninsm isn't working

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jnyrjbyby1ys0za/IMG_0074.mov?dl=0 Am I doing someting incorectly or do you jsut think it's broken?

 

[Konical]

Back Again, MingMing,
It's not completely clear from the photos you've included, but it appears that a hand-held on/off switch has been plugged into the unit. Normally, the connection would be through a timer, but, if it works as is for you, no problem--except for a watch or another external clock for timing.
Konical

 

[Konical]

Aaaah!
The carrier has an internal rubber belt which moves the negative strip back and forth. The carrier would be difficult to impossible to use if that belt is missing or has been broken. Best use the search feature here on APUG and enter "Beseler Negatrans" to search for some information about finding and installing a new belt. I bought one years ago just in case mine did break, but so far I haven't had to use it. Unfortunately, I don't recall the source of the replacement belt, although I suspect that Beseler could provide one.
Konical

 

[MingMingPhoto]

thank you for all your help!

 

[Konical]

Found It!!,
I purchased the replacement Negatrans belt in July, 2008, so I can't guarantee the following, but here's the source I used: Culver Walters, 2210 Nelwood Drive, Columbia, Missouri 65202. The cost was $9.99 with shipping in 2008. I can't help with installment info, but it's probably a rather obvious procedure.
Konical

 

[MingMingPhoto]

I opened it up and it wasn't too obvious for me - but I'm sure eventually I'lll figure it out. I'm not sure what to do with the addres yo uadded but I did see in some other threads that freestly sells it https://www.freestylephoto.biz/7004-Beseler-Replacment-O-ring-for-35mm-Negatrans?cat_id=1602

Tbh I jsut want a normal carrier

also what do oyu think about the 23c vs this enalrger? Case I have both now (I'm gonna make a public darkroom at some point)

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, MingMing,
The 23C enlarger has a good reputation, and parts, if necessary, should be easily available. Its only real limitation is that maximum negative size is 6 × 9. Unless space is a problem, I'd always opt for the 4 × 5 MCR-X. I may be biased since I've had mine for almost 50 years with virtually no problems at all, and I can use it for any size negative I can produce.
Konical

 

[MingMingPhoto]

Thank you <3

 

[Marco Buonocore]

The "Resistrol" was for use with point light source lamps. As the poster above says, it is effectively a dimmer. Point light source lamps have to be used with the enlarger lens wide open, so this is an alternate method of controlling light output.

 

[MingMingPhoto]

The "Resistrol" was for use with point light source lamps. As the poster above says, it is effectively a dimmer. Point light source lamps have to be used with the enlarger lens wide open, so this is an alternate method of controlling light output.

Would you mind elaborating? What is a point light source and what are the benefits/disadvantages? Is it another name for condenser?

 

[Ian C]

The following article on the KHB Photographix site discusses the Omega DM Point Light Source Lamp House. The same comments apply to any point-source lamp house.

The Omega Enlarger Guide: DM Point Light Source page (khbphotografix.com)

 

[MingMingPhoto]

<3

 

[Ian C]

The transport “belt” of Beseler Negatrans carriers is simply a common neoprene O-ring of a particular diameter and cross-sectional diameter.

Using an O-ring in this application is a cross-purpose. It works, but a purpose-designed drive belt would have been a better, more-robust design.

NEW O-RINGS for ALL Beseler 35mm Negatrans Negative Carriers | eBay

 

[MingMingPhoto]

I'm sorry?
Is the link where I should buy or are you saying it's not a good link?

 

[Ian C]

The link is fine. That is a convenient source for the O-ring.

If you know the circle diameter and cross-sectional diameter, you could buy the same part anywhere that sells large-diameter O-rings of that size, possibly for less.

The use of an O-ring is the design chosen by Beseler. Most engineers would have chosen a belt intended for transmitting motion. O-rings are intended to form a seal against fluids or gasses.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

When in doubt, read the instructions...

Here's a link to the Beseler 45MXT manual. It's newer than yours, but much of it will apply and, hopefully, answer some of your questions.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_45mxt.pdf

Doremus

 

[Mal Paso]

The lamphouse has a plug that can go directly to a timer. Plug the enlarger in separately to operate the motor. In 50 years I've never used the resistrol or the switch. The switch was for manual exposure, like taking the lens cap off a camera without a shutter. No one I know ever used one without a timer.

 

[mgb74]

The transport “belt” of Beseler Negatrans carriers is simply a common neoprene O-ring of a particular diameter and cross-sectional diameter.

Using an O-ring in this application is a cross-purpose. It works, but a purpose-designed drive belt would have been a better, more-robust design.

NEW O-RINGS for ALL Beseler 35mm Negatrans Negative Carriers | eBay

Maybe. But I think the o-ring design works quite well. And, more than likely, a purpose-designed drive belt would no longer be available.

According to my notes, this o-ring fits fine:
https://www.theoringstore.com/store...product_info&cPath=367_23_24&products_id=1142

 

[MingMingPhoto]

Thank you everyone!