Converting my Beseler Enlarger to Diffusion

Hi all,

I have a Beseler 23CII with a Dual Dichro S head that I use for black and white only. This enlarger is the condenser type, even with the Dual Dichro S head. In order to convert to diffusion, you have to purchase a Diffuser Kit. My question is if I can just purchase a small sheet of white translucent polystyrene, trim to fit and lay over the filter drawer holder. I have attached a picture showing the filter drawer pulled out. This tray rests above the condenser lenses just below.

My intent is to leave the condenser lenses in and diffuse the light above. I am doing this to get a little lower contrast when using graded papers. Will this work okay.

Thanks,
Rick

It should work fine, but you will lose quite a bit of light to the diffuser. Expect your print times to get longer. I would go with the thinnest piece of translucent plexi you can find or get a ground glass cut to fit.

I've been considering a similar modification for my condenser enlarger, but was unsure as to what effect the colour temperature of the diffuser material might have on the contrast of the image. (I was thinking of using the white polystyrene, too) I wouldn't mind the longer exposure times; I often find I don't have the time to employ all the controls I would like with some of my smaller prints or with thinner negatives. An extra stop or two might come in handy.

I have a piece of opal glass that was made for my Omega D2V. It is absolutely worthless. It might diffuse the light a bit, but the times were at least 5X my original time. It was installed below the condenser. I don't think it will do a whole lot of good above the condenser unless your enlarger bulb is not already an opal (white) bulb. If I were to try it again, I'd get a piece of ground glass and install it between the condenser and the negative.