Beseler 57 MB??

[FM2N]

Hello All,
Can anyone tell me the dimensions of this unit? How much headroom will I need? I have about 5-5 1/2 feet above my table top and want to know if this will fit. Also is it worth purchasing?
Thanks
Arthur

 

[frotog]

The 57 mb uses the same chassis as Beseler's 4x5 models (w/ the exception of the cb7 which is a bit larger and of a different design). With 5-1/2 feet you'll have a little room to spare with the camera at it's highest extension. It is fully adjustable at both the lens stage and the negative stage making alignment a cinch. It features a cool, above the lens filter drawer that will accept 75mm filters. The Achilles heal is the tilt at the lens stage - designed to correct convergence of parallel lines in the projection of the negative the zero detent can wear out which makes the lens stage a little sloppy, potentially effecting alignment. The coldlight was a straight forward Aristo head. Aristo still makes tubes for it including a snazzy multi-contrast head if you want to throw a g at it. If set up properly it is an excellent 5x7 enlarger with a build quality that far surpasses any enlarger Beseler has manufactured in the past 25 years.