Disappointing Beseler 45M Carrier

So now that I've finally moved to a place where I can set up a kitchen darkroom, I've gotten my new-to-me Beseler 45M enlarger all nice and ready for work. I needed A 35MM carrier and lucked out at 99 cents plus shipping on the auction site. But it's such a disappointment. Put a negative of the standard 24x36 size from my Nikon F, and the window in the carrier isn't big enough for it. It crops off at least 1/16 of an inch in both directions. I had already gone through the expense of getting the plain prism finder for my F because I demanded 100% coverage. But with this negative carrier cropping like that I may as well be using most any other SLR that is incapable of 100% coverage. Now I'm going to have to go buy a file and spend a whole Saturday filing out the window in the negative carrier.
And another thing: Is it too much to ask that an enlarger manufacturer make a carrier where the film registration pegs are 35mm apart, so I don't have to bobble the negative all around? Seems like the only decent negative carriers I've ever owned were the ones I made by hand out of my RC airplane wood stockpile.

I believe they did make a full frame 35mm carrier, but photogs I know just filed 'em.

Alan9940 said:

I believe they did make a full frame 35mm carrier, but photogs I know just filed 'em.

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Are you saying this is a known Beseler problem? I switched to Beseler from Omega because I felt like I was getting a better made machine that didn't leak light all over everywhere.

KN4SMF said:

Are you saying this is a known Beseler problem? I switched to Beseler from Omega because I felt like I was getting a better made machine that didn't leak light all over everywhere.

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I guess I don't see it as a Beseler problem vs other enlargers. But, then again, the Beseler 45M is the only enlarger I've used for 40 years. My photo mentor had an Omega 4x5 enlarger and he filed his carriers.

The smaller opening helps maximize film flatness in a glass-less carrier. It also matches the viewfinder coverage of the majority of cameras - those that are designed with the knowledge that slide mounts normally intrude(d) slightly on the image area.
If you want full image area and edge to edge sharpness, you need a glass carrier. Beseler. Omega, LPL, Durst ... it is the same.

Very enlightening. Thanks, men. I'm not going to fool with a glass carrier and fight specks of dust on 4 more surfaces every time. So I guess a new file and another wasted Saturday is in my future.

You just bought the wrong carrier -- you wanted their full-frame carrier instead of their standard 35mm holder. So not a Beseler problem per se, just a lack of understanding of what you were buying.

I have filed a few holders -- both for Beselers (35 and 45) and Omega D-5s. Filing and sanding your own will give you the opportunity for a custom fit. I just used a sharpie on the cut surfaces, but a flat black paint probably would be superior.

Edited to add: $190 at Freestyle! Ouch!

There are Beseler Negatrans carriers designed for rolls/strips of 135 film. The opening might meet your needs.
Here is a listing for a new one: http://store.khbphotografix.com/35mm-Negatrans-Negative-Carrier-for-Beseler-Enlargers.html

I seldom used my Beseler for 35Mm. Just too finicky. Great for MF and LF. My first choice for 35mm would be a machine dedicated to 35mm such as a Leitz Focomat or Veloy...even the Beseler 23c...and there are others. Foolishly, I tried using my 45 Beseler for Minox until Ken Hansen took in a Minox enlarger he wanted out of the store. Ken had the greatest camera store that there ever was.

Don't waste time with a file, just a Dremel, you could be done with the job in 15 minutes or so.

Vaughn said:

You just bought the wrong carrier -- you wanted their full-frame carrier instead of their standard 35mm holder. So not a Beseler problem per se, just a lack of understanding of what you were buying.

I have filed a few holders -- both for Beselers (35 and 45) and Omega D-5s. Filing and sanding your own will give you the opportunity for a custom fit. I just used a sharpie on the cut surfaces, but a flat black paint probably would be superior.

Edited to add: $190 at Freestyle! Ouch!

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And you will never find a 99 cent full frame carrier! Plenty out there but more money.

Here's the link to the well known list of Beseler carrier numbers.

http://www.oresteen.com/bes 45 carriers.htm

The beseler 45 color head works fine with 35mm if you have the 35mm light box thing that goes inside.

There are a couple FF carriers on Ebay, around 50 bucks, ouch. I would file until you are happy, and buy a negatrans, these come up cheap and on Craigslist. Re: Stephe's comment above, you definitely gain about 1/2 stop with the 35mm mixing chamber. I do so much medium format 6x9, I leave the 4x5 mixing chamber in fo everything. Again these things are available cheap, if you are in the right place.