Enlarger Lenses & negative carriers

[nsurit]

I've just recently purchased a Beseler 45V XL, which will be used in a home I will be building next year. So for now, it will be in storage and I'll be in the hunting and gathering stage for used equipment for the darkroom. I'll be using a darkroom at a school until mine is up and running.

With the enlarger came three lenses. They are an Schneider/Kreuznach Componon-S 50mm f2.8 #14370XXX, an EL-Nikkor 80mm f5.6 #705XXX and an EL-Nikkor 135mm f5.6 #527XXX. Each of the lenses appears to be in Mint to LN condition. When I search our favorite auction site, I find that the lenses, with the exception of the 135mm, are of relatively little value to buyers. Is this because of their quality or does it reflect a huge supply with little demand in this "let's all switch to digital" age? If I am going to spend the time, effort and money to produce traditional (or alternative process) prints I would like to have as near the best lenses I can reasonably afford attached to the enlarger. Any opinions on these lenses or others I might consider would be greatly appreciated.

I will be printing negatives ranging from 1/2 frame to 4X5 generated by a variety of cameras, using pinholes, zone plates and lenses produced from about the 1930's until this century. Is anyone aware of a negative carrier available for either the Beseler 45 series or the large Omega enlargers for 1/2 frame 35mm? Additionally what solutions have others used for printing 1/2 frame negatives in a series of 4 or 5 at a time?

Hmm, my questions are starting to look like my grandchildrens list for Santa. Thanks in advance. Bill Barber

 

[Monophoto]

Hmm, my questions are starting to look like my grandchildrens list for Santa.

Price is typically the differentiator for adult toys.

Darkroom equipment unfortunately does not have high resale values these days. That's actually good news because it means that there is a lot of good stuff out there at reasonable prices.

I wouldn't worry about those three lenses - they may not be the best, but they are good enough.

I'm reasonably sure that Beseler made carriers for half-frame negatives. Finding one may be a challenge. The first place I would look is Midwest Photo Exchange - they have a wide selection of parts and accessories for both Omega and Beseler enlarger.

If you can't find a carrier, there are some DIY options to consider. One is to find a Minox or 16mm carrier, and enlarge the opening to the size required for a half-frame negatives. A Dremel tool would be helpful. Another option would be to make a mask to use with a 35mm carrier. It wouldn't be difficult to make a mask from mat board or some kind of opaque acetate.

 

[John Koehrer]

For making a 1/2 frame carrier I think I would just use files to enlarge the smaller opinion. It's too easy for the dremel to run away from you if it grabs the metal.

 

[eric]

Get a universal glass carrier. I use it for 35mm to 4x5.

 

[Peter Williams]

I'm with Eric - I use the universal glass carrier for everything from 35mm to 4x5 and it's nice to only have one carrier to deal with. I keep a camel's hair brush with the enlarger and I just wipe down the carrier before each negative and I have yet to have any problems with dust.

 

[nsurit]

I am assuming the 8343 (with anti-Newton Glass) is the one being suggested. Is that correct? Bill Barber

 

[eric]

You can get the regular glass one and see if that fits your needs. fpointinc website sells AN glass for way cheaper than the Beseler if you want to replace it later on.