Ilford 500 Mixing Boxes

[36cm2]

Having researched lots of threads on the MG500 enlarger head, it’s clear to me that the mixing boxes differ depending on the enlarger base accompanying the unit. I’m wondering if anyone knows: if I have the mounting plate and mixing boxes designed for a Beseler MX base, can I swap the head onto a Beseler 45VXL base without issue, or do these platforms differ in terms of the head interface and mixing box requirements? Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Leo

 

[Mike Crawford]

As I understand, the plates and boxes should be the same and it's the mounting brackets at the back of the head which differ per enlarging head. Otherwise, would have made it quite a task to manufacture plates and boxes for all relevant enlargers. I think I have an instructions and parts manual at work. Will have a look.

I had just started working in a bw lab in London in the 80s when they first came out and they proved very popular. My two 500 heads recently got serviced by an ex Ilford engineer and very happy they are still working very well as are used nearly every day. Wish someone still made repacement mixing boxes though!

 

[mpirie]

I saw a similar question on another forum about whether the mixing boxes were different for different enlargers/heads.

I assumed they weren't and that they were all the same. I was corrected because some enlargers raise the head (like De Vere) when inserting the neg carrier so the mixing box has to sit on the neg carrier when the head's lowered.

My L1200's don't use that mechanism, the head and mixing box stay put.

Mike

 

[Tom Kershaw]

As I understand, the plates and boxes should be the same and it's the mounting brackets at the back of the head which differ per enlarging head. Otherwise, would have made it quite a task to manufacture plates and boxes for all relevant enlargers. I think I have an instructions and parts manual at work. Will have a look.

I had just started working in a bw lab in London in the 80s when they first came out and they proved very popular. My two 500 heads recently got serviced by an ex Ilford engineer and very happy they are still working very well as are used nearly every day. Wish someone still made repacement mixing boxes though!

I had assumed the mixing boxes were all the same, but I've only used it on a De Vere 504; although I did have to get a second MG500 system for spares that came off a '203' enlarger.

Tom

 

[36cm2]

The mixing boxes are definitely different. Beseler ones vs. Durst ones. There may have been a third. There are many threads on it. I'm just trying to confirm the Beseler ones will work with a 45VXL as they do with the MX before I start taking things apart only to discover I'm opening an unecessary can of worms. I greatly appreciate everyone's review and help. Thanks.

 

[Mike Crawford]

I think I stand corrected in assuming the boxes were the same! I couldn't find my manual but it is online.
https://www.ilfordphoto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/MG500-Operating-Manual.pdf

Two parts of it mention the boxes were supplied individually with the conversion kits, so there must have been differences between the boxes for different heads.

 

[John Koehrer]

Usually the boxes optimize the light for a specific size negative and slightly decrease the exposure time needed.
If you can live with a slightly longer time a larger format box will work with any smaller negative.

 

[youngrichard]

Yes, I do 6x7 and 35mm enlarging and have mixing boxes for both on my Durst DA900 with Ilford 500 head. Gave up swapping the boxes, now use just the 6x7 box for both formats.
Richard

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I just use the 5"x4" mixing box on my MG500 / De Vere 504. I don't need it to be any faster in most cases although the smaller mixing boxes could be useful for lith work from sub-LF negatives.

 

[Doug Richardson]

From performing my own research on this issue, and from what I understand, the difference in the light boxes is the depth to which the light box is allowed to sit in the adapter plate. This is controlled by the cut/perforated tabs in the sides of the light boxes. The 500 for my Omega 5D XL allows them to almost sit flush with the bottom of the box, others allowed them to sit deeper. If someone else has extra info, or if I am wrong, please let me know. Just glad I have all mine. Good luck getting your set together. -Doug

 

[Andrew4x5]

Given that both enlargers are Beseler 4x5 enlargers, I would expect the Multigrade components would be interchangeable. You could check whether the various Beseler heads were interchangeable. If they were, it would be a safe bet that the Multigrade head is also interchangeable.