Comments on Beseler 45V-XL with 810 Conversion ?

[analog65]

Hi, I am going to look at a Beseler 45V-XL with the 810 conversion head on it with the Aristo cold light head.

I have been a long time 8x10 contact printer and been enlarging my 4x5 on my Beseler 45MX for many years.

It would be really nice to be able to enlarge my 8x10 negatives.

I would like input and comments from anyone that owns or has used the 45V-XL with 810 conversion head.

1 - general thoughts about the unit ?

2 - biggest print that can be made on baseboard? (I believe it has the 240mm lens)

3 - what do you do for variable contrast filters (above or below the lens)?

4 - Do you use ANR glass in your carrier to keep the 8x10 negatives flat? Any other thoughts on this?

5 - total height from the base to the top of the column?

Thank you for your time.

 

[EdSawyer]

Vxl in general is great, a big step up from the 45m series. I don't have the 810 head, but unless you go to something huge like a giant durst or devere maybe, the vxl is a great choice overall.

 

[analog65]

Thanks Ed.

Vxl in general is great, a big step up from the 45m series. I don't have the 810 head, but unless you go to something huge like a giant durst or devere maybe, the vxl is a great choice overall.

 

[rmann]

1 - general thoughts about the unit.

I like mine, solid construction.


2 - biggest print that can be made on baseboard? (I believe it has the 240mm lens)

​Vertical column is the main constraint along with the type of easel you use

3 - what do you do for variable contrast filters (above or below the lens)?

There is a provision for below the lens filters, Ilford makes 12x12 filters that you could use above the negative

4 - Do you use ANR glass in your carrier to keep the 8x10 negatives flat? Any other thoughts on this?

Beseler glassless negative carrier does a good job of keeping the negative flat, so I have not used a glass carrier

5 - total height from the base to the top of the column?

About 55 inches - you can wall mount it if you need more distance - most heads will extend above the column top at full elevation

 

[analog65]

Thanks Bob. What size prints are you making from your 8x10 negatives with your unit?

I constructed a special cabinet system for my 45MX to allow me to make 40x30 prints. The cabinet has a big u-shaped opening to allow the light to go down to the base and make the bigger enlargements. My cabinet has a steel plate on the bottom and I use super magnets and a custom cut window mat as my easel system. I was hoping to find out how big I could print on the baseboard with the 240 lens so I could start lining up my next steps to make the bigger prints. I could have gone bigger than 40x30 with the 45MX system, but I had to custom make my own processing trays and that was a major project within itself.

My goal with the 8x10 enlarger is to simply to be able to make enlargements from my 8x10 negatives vs. always contact printing them.

Thanks

1 - general thoughts about the unit.

I like mine, solid construction.


2 - biggest print that can be made on baseboard? (I believe it has the 240mm lens)

​Vertical column is the main constraint along with the type of easel you use

3 - what do you do for variable contrast filters (above or below the lens)?

There is a provision for below the lens filters, Ilford makes 12x12 filters that you could use above the negative

4 - Do you use ANR glass in your carrier to keep the 8x10 negatives flat? Any other thoughts on this?

Beseler glassless negative carrier does a good job of keeping the negative flat, so I have not used a glass carrier

5 - total height from the base to the top of the column?

About 55 inches - you can wall mount it if you need more distance - most heads will extend above the column top at full elevation

 

[rmann]

The largest print I have made is a 16x20 - but that is the limit on my tray/sink set up not the projected image. Beseler is still in business, give them a call - I am sure they could give you the best answer.