Lamp question

SloboM · Nov 30, 2018

Few years ago I got the Beseler M-45 enlarger. The documentation that comes with it states that the 212 150W type lamp for this enlarger is supplied as standard. After I opened lamp house for cleaning I found that the lamp is Sylvania 211 75W type. So my question is how will this affect my prints and should I change the lamp to original specs. Thank you for any answer you may provide.

Slobo

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 30, 2018

I would imagine your exposures would be a bit longer since its lower wattage... Try printing with it and see if it suffices.

ic-racer · Nov 30, 2018

The white globe on those lamps can become discolored or uneven before the filament burns out. Might be time for a new lamp if you are getting back into projection printing.

SloboM · Nov 30, 2018

Thank you guys for prompt response.

M Carter · Nov 30, 2018

The 75 watt lamps are used in many smaller enlargers, including the Beseler Printmaker and 67c. Chances are, someone used that enlarger for smaller prints and found their printing times were too short for manipulating the print, so they swapped in the 75. If you're printing 11x14 and up (or lith printing) and find your exposure times are too long, you can source the 150 bulb and give it a try.

SloboM · Nov 30, 2018

Thank you M Carter for your reply. As I'm real novice in the darkroom printing and have a bunch of 8"x10" paper I don't think I'll do any bigger prints than 8"x10" soon.

Slobo

darkroommike · Nov 30, 2018

The 75 watt is more than sufficient for smaller print sizes, and get a spare or two. (I currently have 6 spare 211 lamps.)

SloboM · Nov 30, 2018

Thanks Mike.

ac12 · Dec 1, 2018

My Durst M600 speced a 150w bulb. But the exposure times were way too short (less than 5 sec) to be able to do any manipulation.
So I swapped in a 75w bulb. Better, but still kinda short, I want a 25-40 watt bulb, to give me about 15-20 sec exposure, but there isn't a matching photo bulb that small.

SloboM · Dec 1, 2018

Thanks ac12.

Jim Jones · Dec 1, 2018

ac12 said:
My Durst M600 speced a 150w bulb. But the exposure times were way too short (less than 5 sec) to be able to do any manipulation.
So I swapped in a 75w bulb. Better, but still kinda short, I want a 25-40 watt bulb, to give me about 15-20 sec exposure, but there isn't a matching photo bulb that small.

I used a variable voltage transformer on an enlarger to extend manipulation time. Reducing the voltage slightly while composing and focusing also extends bulb life. In theory operating enlarging lamps at a reduced voltage might affect the results with variable contrast filters, but I can't confirm this.

darkroommike · Dec 2, 2018

ac12 said:
My Durst M600 speced a 150w bulb. But the exposure times were way too short (less than 5 sec) to be able to do any manipulation.
So I swapped in a 75w bulb. Better, but still kinda short, I want a 25-40 watt bulb, to give me about 15-20 sec exposure, but there isn't a matching photo bulb that small.

The Durst reflex lamphouse can be a bit picky on what type of lamps it will accept, the variable transformer might work but the light will be considerably warmer. Have you tried a couple of layers of neutral density material in the color filter drawer?

Lamp question

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency