Large (for me) prints, 16 x 20. Question . .

John Galt · May 12, 2019

My dilemma is: My Beseler 23CII with the extended chassis will not project a 6 x 4.5 neg that large using an El Nikor 80mm lens.

My question is: Will a different focal length enlarging lens get me there? If so, what are the disadvantages?

wiltw · May 12, 2019

A shorter FL hypothetically would increase the magnification achievable with your current chassis height, but the likely problem is that the shorer FL lens is not designed to have an image circle sufficient to see the entire 645 negative.

MattKing · May 12, 2019

Most 75mm lenses will cover 6x4.5, but that may not make enough difference for you.
Both Schneider and Rodagon made wide angle 60mm lenses that should solve the problem. There may also be other 60/63 mm lenses (designed for 127?) that may cover 6x4.5.
Do you have the head at the top of the chassis, or is the magnification constrained by something like a low ceiling? If the latter, can you move the enlarger to a lower table?

ic-racer · May 12, 2019

You don't need an 80mm lens for 6x4.5cm format. Try a APO-COMPONON HM 4.0/60, it was designed for what you want to do.

David Brown · May 13, 2019

23C’s can be tilted to project horizontally. That creates other requirements, but it might be a consideration.

Paul Howell · May 13, 2019

Argee with a 60mm, I have a Componon 60mm 5.6mm not a APO it will cover.

John Galt · May 14, 2019

ic-racer said:
You don't need an 80mm lens for 6x4.5cm format. Try a APO-COMPONON HM 4.0/60, it was designed for what you want to do.

Thanks for the suggestion ic-racer. Out of my price range, used on Fleabay they are $600+ US, ouch.

L Gebhardt · May 14, 2019

What is the limiting factor on the height - ceiling or enlarger column?

John Galt · May 14, 2019

MattKing said:
Most 75mm lenses will cover 6x4.5, but that may not make enough difference for you.
Both Schneider and Rodagon made wide angle 60mm lenses that should solve the problem. There may also be other 60/63 mm lenses (designed for 127?) that may cover 6x4.5.
Do you have the head at the top of the chassis, or is the magnification constrained by something like a low ceiling? If the latter, can you move the enlarger to a lower table?

thanks MattKing. Yes, I am limited by the ceiling height in my temporary darkroom. The enlarger will do 16x20 with the 80mm when it is almost to the top of the extended chassis. I think I may have a 60mm lens somewhere in a box of darkroom stuff . . . time to look.

John Galt · May 14, 2019

L Gebhardt said:
What is the limiting factor on the height - ceiling or enlarger column?

Low ceiling . . . the enlarger will project up to 17 x 24 fully extended with my 80mm El Nikor, I have the 48" XL chassis. I think I may have a 60mm lens stashed away somewhere in a box of extra darkroom stuff . . .

Jim Jones · May 14, 2019

Wall mount the enlarger and lower the easel for those bigger prints.

MattKing · May 14, 2019

My D6 is on a low cart, which permits me to roll it through a normal door.
90+% of my prints are made with my easels on top of a short table that slides on top of the (very large) enlarger baseboard. That table brings the easel up to a convenient working height.
If I need to do a larger print, I remove the table.

Paul Howell · May 14, 2019

John Galt said:
Thanks for the suggestion ic-racer. Out of my price range, used on Fleabay they are $600+ US, ouch.

I think I paid $25 for my non APO version, not sure but I guess is a 4 or 5 element lens rather then the S version which is 6 element. At F8 quite sharp. I have used it with 6X6, most often with 35mm.

winger · May 14, 2019

David Brown said:
23C’s can be tilted to project horizontally. That creates other requirements, but it might be a consideration.

Jim Jones said:
Wall mount the enlarger and lower the easel for those bigger prints.

Either of these is your best bet.
There are easels that are basically just a sheet of metal and you hold the paper in place with magnets. That would likely be the easiest way to project it horizontally onto the paper.
(or keep your eyes open for a 4x5 enlarger; the Beseler 45MX can do 16x20 fairly easily)

ic-racer · May 14, 2019

Paul Howell said:
I think I paid $25 for my non APO version, not sure but I guess is a 4 or 5 element lens rather then the S version which is 6 element. At F8 quite sharp. I have used it with 6X6, most often with 35mm.

If it is a Componon, then it is 6-element. Great lens and good price! I don't have the spec sheet on that lens, but I suspected it would cover like the APO version as you posted.

Large (for me) prints, 16 x 20. Question . .

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Large (for me) prints, 16 x 20. Question . .

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