Considering a Beseler 45MX

sorange · Jan 27, 2007

I'm thinking of purchasing an older Beleser 45MX with dichro dg head. It appears to be about 20+ years old, but looks like new and comes with 4 negative carriers and 50mm & 80mm lenses. The seller is asking $200.

I'd be using it almost exclusively for B&W work. Most of my photography is 35mm, but I also have a 4x5. I'd like to know - is this a decent enlarger, and is it a fair price to ask?

eddym · Jan 27, 2007

Mine is about 28 years old now, and it still works as well as the day I bought it. I use a cold light head on it, and print negs from 35mm to 4x5. It's built like a tank, and should last me the rest of my life (I'm 56).
As for the price, I know the market is depressed these days, but $200 for an enlarger, carriers, and 2 lenses sounds like an offer that should not be refused. Don't know what the lenses are, but the enlarger itself should be worth $200.

Konical · Jan 27, 2007

Good Morning, Sorange,

I agree with Eddy. It's possible you could find an even better deal, but if you know the enlarger is in good condition and the lenses are decent ones, the price is certainly a fair one. My MCR-X was purchased new in 1974 (?) and has worked flawlessly since then. Lots of accessories are easily and cheaply available also.

Konical

dphphoto · Jan 27, 2007

I bought my 4X5 MX in 1972. I've moved it from Michigan to Virginia, then to Florida and then to Tennessee, and it's still in perfect alignment.
The dichro head is ok. If you don't like it, you can pick up a cold light or a condenser head from eBay pretty cheap.
$200? Can't beat that. Dean

bill schwab · Jan 27, 2007

sorange said:
It appears to be about 20+ years old, but looks like new and comes with 4 negative carriers and 50mm & 80mm lenses. The seller is asking $200.

Do it. You won't be disappointed. Mine is well over 20 years old.. has lived in about 10 darkrooms and is still as fine as the day I bought it. Where are you? If you don't want it, I do.

Bill

sorange · Jan 27, 2007

It's great hearing all these voices of satisfied Beseler users. My searches were not turning up very much, so this is most helpful.

The lenses are Schneiders, can't remember whether Componars or Componons, but I think the latter. I should also mention the deal would allow me to haul away any of the misc. darkroom junk still there.

OK, maybe this is a no-brainer deal, but I really was curious to hear whether the enlarger was worth it on its own. I just didn't want to buy it and then hear I should have waited for an Omega D-series. (Stuff really does seem to come up in Seattle on a regular basis). Like I said, doing a search on Beseler 45's doesn't turn up much. Thanks again!

Chan Tran · Jan 27, 2007

Like other have said, you can possibly get a better deal if you look very hard but the deal you get is a good one. I have the MCRX and I like it very much.

sorange · Jan 27, 2007

Chan Tran said:
you can possibly get a better deal if you look very hard but the deal you get is a good one.

Chan, I think what you have said is an excellent way to measure a good deal. If you have to look very hard for a better offer, and the equipment you're considering is in great condition, why keep shopping? There's always a story of someone getting a great 4x5 enlarger for next to nothing, but I prefer the odds of finding good equipment at a fair price. I think the seller will be pleased to get their price on this one, and have the equipment gone.

dphphoto · Jan 27, 2007

The Companon lenses are much better than the Companars. 6 elements instead of 4, if I remember right. Dean

gchpaco · Jan 27, 2007

sorange said:
I'm thinking of purchasing an older Beleser 45MX with dichro dg head. It appears to be about 20+ years old, but looks like new and comes with 4 negative carriers and 50mm & 80mm lenses. The seller is asking $200.

I'd be using it almost exclusively for B&W work. Most of my photography is 35mm, but I also have a 4x5. I'd like to know - is this a decent enlarger, and is it a fair price to ask?

Mine's been quite good to me, but came largely without accessories. $200 is not a bad price for the carriers and the lenses alone. One warning, they're not small beasts, even for 4x5 enlargers.

Graham

jeroldharter · Jan 27, 2007

I bought a newer Beseler 45MXT on Ebay and the frame was damaged during shipping. The seller packed it poorly. Shipping adds alot to the cost. If you can pick it up yourself locally you have a good deal. Some of those old ones are caked with dust so you might have some cleaning. Also, one person can lift the enlarger but having a second person help with moving it is worthwhile.

sorange · Jan 28, 2007

Good thoughts, much appreciated. BTW, this is a local sale and the unit is spotless. I agree, shipping costs and packing something this heavy and delicate is a risk.

mattk · Jan 28, 2007

I just picked up a 45MXT with the Dichro head. Mine looks new--I think its about 5-8 yrs old. The Dichro head has the 4x5 mixing chamber in it and it seems to me that dev. times get a little long when taking a 645 neg to 8x10 or larger (40+ seconds). I was used to a ancient 23CII blue beast with a condenser head that would make the same print in 1/4 of the time. I like dialing in the filter factor. I also noticed that all my negs that used to print at a filter of 1 1/2, or 2 are now at 3 or 3 1/2. This evening I shot two rolls of film to test developing the negs just a bit longer than usual to pull up the contrast. I found a studio that just wanted it gone! Pick it up you wan't look back!!
$240
45MXT w/45S head
Sauners 11x14 four blade
Beseler 16x20 four blade
150mm Componon S
80mm El Nikkor
50mm Componar
5 Neg carriers from 4x5 to 35mm
Prowash print washer
Safelight
Papersafe
Enough paper to last 3 years
I really lucked out--although now I have the LF bug and the same party may help me into a Sinar that no longer need.

Konical · Jan 29, 2007

Matt,

You are an absolute thief! Congratulations.

Konical

mattk · Jan 29, 2007

He wanted 200! I gave him 240, 200 just didn't seem right. I am calling him back on the Sinars (he has a few P and F's).

Earl Dunbar · Jan 29, 2007

I can echo the recommendations for the Beseler 45MX. I love mine, it will outlive me unless I do something really stupid with it.

Considering a Beseler 45MX

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