Beseler enlarger 4x5 to 5x7 conversion

Has anyone ever heard of a way to convert a Beseler 45 4x5 enlarger to make it a 5x7 enlarger? My enlarger is an older, grayish-green colored one with a newer 45mx condenser head.

Similarly, has anyone had or heard of experiences with the 8x10 conversion assembly which has been seen fairly frequently on Ebay last autumn and winter? Does it work?

Thanks!

Mike

Might be cheaper and easier to just buy a 5x7 enlarger. I think there were ten of them on USA ebay last week. The one in Missouri went for US $158.05. You won't find a 5x7 head alone that cheap.

Of the ones I have seen for sale, this is probably the closest to you. Good price also.
Enlarger - Durst 168/S-45 35mm to 5x7 - $475 (Mendon, NY)

Old Elwood 4x5 Enlarger - $60 (Rock Hill, SC)

Here is a 5x7 Elwood enlarger for $60. I'd go with that if I were on a budget. BTW the ad says 4x5 but I'm 100% certain its a 5x7 model based on the picture.

Another 5x7 Enlarger for $100
OLD 5X7 ELWOOD ENLARGER - $100 (COPIAGUE N Y)

BTW the Elwood units fit on a bench (like the enlarger you have) vs being floor-standing.

More?

Kodak 5x7, 5 x 7 Autofocus Enlarger type E for restoration - $99 (Scranton)

Mike, my Elwood is still sitting on the porch.

A few years ago I converted one of my back-to back Beseler 4x5's into a 5x7 by adapting a Zone VI cold light head.

Now, when I switch between my smaller negatives and my 617 panoramic negatives, I just turn around and use the other enlarger. Since both are Beselers, they handle identically.

The conversion was fun (but then, I like designing and making things...)

I used high density Masonite and thin Baltic Birch plywood (both are easy to work) to make a nice precise adapter for the 5x7 Zone VI lamp house as well as various negative carriers.

To avoid clipping corners, I had to machine away four corners in the upper frame which are visible in the photo.

Reinhold

http://www.classicbwphoto.com/classicBWphoto/Darkroom.html

Nice work Reinhold.

Thread resurrection after a long time, but I think Reinhold is still active, and I’m taking on a similar project to convert a Beseler 4x5 enlarger to 5x7, using an Aristo cold light head. I’m hoping for some guidance on how to get the adapter built so that everything works.

From the pictures above, it looks like the adapter doesn’t need to add very much height above the original negative plane. If I went a little taller, though, wouldn’t the geometry of the light cone avoid the “clipping corners” problem mentioned? I’d like to avoid machining work on the original parts if I can.

Also, I've never used a cold light head before. Do I use the same filtration as with an incandescent light source? Where do the filters go? Sorry if this is a naive question—as I say, cold light is new to me.

Thanks for any comments/advice.

-NT

The Beseler 45 negative stage opening is 6.5 in. (approx) in diameter. You take half your format diagonal and the extension of your lens from the film plane as the two short sides of a triangle. That triangle has to fit through half the width of the Beseler lens stage opening. (It is actually a cone of light, but triangles are much easier to use). This gives you the negative height above the old lens stage, and the lens position below. And that determines your light source location.

You need the angle of view of your lens, as this will set the scale. The lens needs to 'see' past the old stage to the corners of the format.

I went through this working out an 8x10 adaption. The attached diagram may help, but use your own measurements, it is from my 8x10 notes!

You may need a spacer to get the carriage further out from the frame so it clears the cross bar. Not sure about 5x7 - it is definitely an issue with an 8x10 adaption.

Thanks, that makes sense. The half-diagonal of 5x7 is only a little over 4”, so I shouldn’t have to elevate too much from the standpoint of clearing the negative stage. This is an old Beseler 45AF with no crossbar; I don’t think clearance at the top will be a problem, but I’ll take some rough measurements.

Filters are going to be a concern. I’ve got the 6”x6” Ilford filters: too small to go above the negative, I may have to rig up something to hold them in the original negative stage, which will throttle the opening there by a small amount. What was your solution for filters?

-NT

I have a below lens set of Multigrade filters. Though I have just held unmounted above lens ones under the lens on a few occasions over the years.

There used to be large sheet filters available (at a price) for above lens use. I'm not sure if they are still available.

The Beseler 45 standard red filter holder probably needs extending. I need to do something for that myself, as my 240mm El-Nikkor extends a long way. or come up with something to clip on the end of the lens.