Can someone tell me about the Beseler 67 Dichro?

[jkasarda]

Hello,
I just received a Beseler 67 Dichro from my friend and i was hoping if someone has experience with it they could share some knowledge. mainly, does it print in color? and do i need an adapter to plug it in, it has a strange cord.
Thank you,
John

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

You need a transformer unit which you plug the head into and then the transformer into the wall. Not all of the Beseler 67 had this unit. I believe the later models had it built into the head. At one point I owned a B67 with both the Dichro and the Condenser heads and the Dichro did not have the extra box. My current LPL 67 does have a converter/transformer/thingee.

It is for printing in color, but I personally, would never go there. Chromira or LightJet from a scan or digital file on a color calibrated monitor. You'll get way more done in less time for less money. Use the dichro for B&W, as God intended it.

 

[MattKing]

John:

Welcome to APUG.

The Beseler 67 series enlargers are good quality enlargers that have served many people well for many years, and remain in production to this date.

I have had mine since I bought it new in the late 1970s .

There are and were a choice of enlarger heads for that series of enlargers. They are all interchangeable on the enlarger chassis'.

A "Beseler 67 Dichro" is most likely a reference to one of the dichroic colour enlarger heads that fit on the 67 chassis. They are designed for colour printing, and are also excellent for variable contrast black and white papers.

The dichroic colour enlarger heads that fit on the 67 chassis can be confusing in one way - there are essentially three types, each of which has a very similar name. The part that is confusing is how they deal with the need for a power supply.

One version has a separate power supply, which unfortunately connects to the enlarger head with what looks like a standard power cord. It isn't - if you plug the power cord from the head into the wall, it will just blow the bulb.

The second version has a separate power supply with a dedicated cord between it and the colour head. Most likely this is the type you have, but it appears you are missing the power supply.

The third version has the power supply built into the head. This is the most recent version, and probably the most desirable.

 

[jeff786]

I love mine simple and efficient. I have the dichro head which allows you to add magenta and yellow to alter the contrast on VG BW paper. I've heard some people say it's not the best medium format enlarger which is probably true but I have never noticed any downside versus a 23 which I used in college.

I haven't used mine for color but the previous owner did and he seemed to like it. Not sure about the adapter the company is actually very responsive if you email them with questions. I was missing a small piece after a move and they helped me identify it and sold me a replacement part.

--jeff

 

[jkasarda]

I appreciate all your responses very much!
here is a picture of the plug i am talking about maybe some of you could recognize it?

 

[MattKing]

Does the head look something like the one pictured here:

If so, the power supply you need is like this eBay item: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beseler-Dichro-67-Colorhead-Stabilized-Power-Supply-/370560449447?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D370527255578%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4266930420012914233

 

[jkasarda]

yes it looks just like that, so it wont be cheap?

 

[Chan Tran]

I had the 67 CS with the dichro head before. It's a fine unit for small negative. Of course it prints in color.

 

[John Koehrer]

yes it looks just like that, so it wont be cheap?

Two things I would do are check the completed listings for this gizmo and see what kind of $$$ they've sold for and
If the $50. is in line with that information bid a minimal amount. That one has "free shipping" and since it's just a
reduction transformer it's filled with copper wire and relatively heavy for it's size. Knowing the weight could tell
you an approximate shipping cost.