Beseler 45V-XL

[aznative]

A couple months back I picked up a Beseler 45V-XL enlarger with a Beseler 810 Cold Light Head. I have been a fan of Beseler enlargers (45MX and 45MXT) but I have not had the chance to set this up in the darkroom. And so I am interested in your thoughts and any comparisons you may have about the 45V-XL as to the 45 Beseler M series enlargers or any large format enlarger for that matter.

 

[jeroldharter]

A couple months back I picked up a Beseler 45V-XL enlarger with a Beseler 810 Cold Light Head. I have been a fan of Beseler enlargers (45MX and 45MXT) but I have not had the chance to set this up in the darkroom. And so I am interested in your thoughts and any comparisons you may have about the 45V-XL as to the 45 Beseler M series enlargers or any large format enlarger for that matter.

I have both the VXL and the MXT. The VXL is more of a beast, taller so better for big enlargements on the baseboard, and easier (bit still annoying) to align.

Interestingly, I just picked up an 8x10 conversion as well. I have the adapters to install it on either enlarger and I am debating which way to go. I will leave one enlarger set up for 4x5 and smaller and the other for 8x10.