Minolta 45 Beseler Light Conversion?

[craigclu]

I made another purchase impulse decision on a local delivery-only Minolta 45 rig that's about 40 miles from where I'll be traveling through soon. Sniping software is efficient (and dangerous)! Actually, I got the main machine, 8 carriers, 50, 80 and 150 Rodagons for $233.50 and access that avoids shipping. I've read everything from glowing to damning reports on this head and part of my impulse buy decision was an assumption that the head is perhaps replaceable with other light sources for the Beseler45? Has anyone had experience with this? I may just like the Minolta head anyway, but was curious about whether I'll have options.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I think all the Beseler 4x5s except for the CB7 can share heads. The CB7 body is the only one that is a little bigger then the common 4x5s from Beseler.

 

[Captain_joe6]

Yep, all the heads for the Beseler 45 chassis are interchangeable. Give the Minolta head a whirl and then decide what you want to do. At the very least, you should try to pick up the condenser head, if for no other reason than because bulbs are dirt cheap.

 

[craigclu]

Thanks for the info.... I'm very naive regarding the 45 series Beseler stuff but have used 23 series stuff in about every configuration (condenser, cold light, dichro versions w and w/o conical integrator, etc). I always thought that the 45 Beselers would be nice for me because I already have my favorite lenses mounted on a sharable lens board and I'd appreciate the extra robustness and supposed ease of alignment vs the 23. After getting a Versalab last year, I spent almost a full afternoon shimming trial/error until I got all of the planes in proper agreement.

Are there versions of the 45 series dichro heads to look for that have advantage over others? I've accumulated 3 different versions of the 23 series dichros and much prefer the one with the integrated power supply in the head. I've noticed dichro heads selling quite reasonably on the auctions and wonder if it's because there are certain ones that are to be avoided?

 

[jeroldharter]

Are there versions of the 45 series dichro heads to look for that have advantage over others? I've accumulated 3 different versions of the 23 series dichros and much prefer the one with the integrated power supply in the head. I've noticed dichro heads selling quite reasonably on the auctions and wonder if it's because there are certain ones that are to be avoided?

I have the Dichro 45S. I have read that you should avoid the computerized version because the circuit boards go out and they are irreplaceable. I bought a spare Dichro 45S that was in pristine condition, cleaner than my own, but it was dead and I have not been able to figure out how to get it started. I tried to contact Beseler but they won't respond. If you are handy, consider making an LED light source. If my Dichro head ever breaks down, that is what I will try.