Beseler Enlarger "Colors"

[Speed Gray]

Does anyone know the dates of Beseler enlargers based upon their color; or why they changed the painted color of their enlargers? Looking on E-Bay at 23C enlargers, I see black ones, blue ones, gray ones (yea, yea, and tall ones, short ones, fat ones, etc,).

Was there a reason for the change in color, or was it just "marketing" to make one color model newer than the previous?

Thanks for any replies.

Speed Gray
Grand Rapids, MI

 

[John Koehrer]

Mainly marketing but there were some improvements along the way.

The Gray one is the oldest.
I started selling photo stuff in '71 and never saw a new gray one. All we had new were the blue ones.
I don't believe the taller model was available in gray either but was an option(extra $$$) on the blue ones.
The shorter ones were also limited to ~8X10 + a bit on the baseboard.

I'd be a bit concerned about condition of the bellows and glue holding the bellows to the negative stage drying out and, if used in a lab wear on the gears and rollers used in the lifting mechanism.
The best thing about Beseler is that it's been around longer than dirt so parts, new or used are still available if something needs to be repaired

Black's the most current variety. But they're all pretty much the same. I think the Black finish came in when black paint cameras were seen as "pro models" became popular.

 

[aoresteen]

The orginal Beseler 23Cs were not grey but a light green.

See my page on the 23C enlarger:

http://www.oresteen.com/bess23c.htm