Need advice on enlarger

MegoApesNut · Mar 18, 2017

After kicking around the thought of getting back into B&W printing, I am finally going to take the plunge. I have been purchasing odds and ends for a few years but, as we live in a small cottage in a lakeside community, I really didn't have anywhere to do it efficiently. I remember using makeshift darkrooms over the years and having a lot of problems with dirt and dust. However, we are moving to an apartment/condo which has a very nice unfinished basement. I am planning on building a permanent darkroom as soon as we move in. I am trying to decide which enlarger will work best for me. I currently have a Besler 23C with a Zone VI cold light head. I always wanted a real Zone VI enlarger and see several for sale. I have a Hassy for shooting and was wondering if stepping up to Zone VI would be worth the bucks? The largest I see myself printing is a 6x7 neg. I doubt I will venture into 4x5. I like the thought of ease of use with the variable contrast head but I am still wondering if I should just use the Besler and save some bucks. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Paul Howell · Mar 18, 2017

I don't think that moving from your current set up to a Zone Vi will improve your prints or work flow. The only reason to buy a 4X5 is if you buy 4X5 gear. A better investment would be a bessler color head if you want to do split grade printing, not a requirement, just a connivance. Other uses for the money, if you live in the snow belt a dedicated darkroom sink with temperature control. For fiber prints drying screens, a mounting dry press, archival washer, the list goes on.

Patrick Robert James · Mar 18, 2017

Better enlargers are better for a variety of reasons, all of which add up to making it more enjoyable to print. If you have the scratch for the Zone VI and you always wanted one, then get it! You won't regret it.

cowanw · Mar 18, 2017

But keep in mind a lot of Zone vi hype is hype.

MegoApesNut · Mar 18, 2017

cowanw said:
But keep in mind a lot of Zone vi hype is hype.

Yeah, I know Fred Picker was a salesman first and print maker second.

Alan9940 · Mar 18, 2017

IMO, a Beseler 23C with Zone VI coldlight head is a very nice unit for anything you're anticipating printing. As others have said, I would only venture up to the Beseler 45 series, Zone VI, Saunders, et al, if you move to 4x5. Depending on the tube installed in your current head, you may have some hurdles to jump over to print VC paper, but you could just forget about all that and stick with graded paper. Bottom line...spend your money on film and whatever travel is needed to photograph what you want.

Have fun!!

jvo · Mar 18, 2017

Alan9940 said:
IMO, a Beseler 23C with Zone VI coldlight head is a very nice unit for anything you're anticipating printing. As others have said, I would only venture up to the Beseler 45 series, Zone VI, Saunders, et al, if you move to 4x5. Depending on the tube installed in your current head, you may have some hurdles to jump over to print VC paper, but you could just forget about all that and stick with graded paper. Bottom line...spend your money on film and whatever travel is needed to photograph what you want.

Have fun!!

What he said!

MegoApesNut · Mar 19, 2017

This is all what I was expecting to hear and is very helpful. Thanks to everyone for your input.

mgb74 · Mar 19, 2017

Based on your (OPs) initial post, I assume you haven't yet printed with the Zone VI head. Be aware that there is an issue (resolvable) with using older cold light heads with current multicontrast paper. A piece of inexpensive Rosco gel will remedy that. Once that is done, you've got a perfectly fine enlarger. Use it for a while, determine what you like and don't like, then get something else if necessary. If something better "drops in your lap", so much the better.

chuck94022 · Mar 20, 2017

I used a Beseler 45MX for years. In fact I've had two of them, both with color heads. I have no objection to them, but when I built my third printing darkroom, I got a Durst 1200 and have never looked back. It is a bit of a challenge finding all the little bits I need, but with a little patience whatever need usually shows up on the auction site.

kreeger · Mar 29, 2017

Alan9940 said:
IMO, a Beseler 23C with Zone VI coldlight head is a very nice unit for anything you're anticipating printing. As others have said, I would only venture up to the Beseler 45 series, Zone VI, Saunders, et al, if you move to 4x5. Depending on the tube installed in your current head, you may have some hurdles to jump over to print VC paper, but you could just forget about all that and stick with graded paper. Bottom line...spend your money on film and whatever travel is needed to photograph what you want.

Have fun!!

jvo said:
What he said!

What They Said!+2

I have a 45MX with the ZoneVi cold light head and the stabilizer but if I didn't shoot 4x5 I'd have a 23c setup the same way. The Zone VI Enlarger is no longer made, Calumet who bought out Fred went out of business a couple of years ago... so you're pretty much stuck hunting for parts on Ebay for one of them,. Beseler parts in the USA are readily available all over the place. Once you get your darkroom built, keep a cover the enlarger to keep dust away between sessions. I vacuum out my baseboard, the bellows and lens stage once a month and have very little if any spotting to do.

Finding the right enlarging timer is important also. There are quite a few for sale on eBay also, run the gamut of primitive to exotic-overkill. The Beseler 8177 audible/repeat timer is what I use with a foot pedal, they are pretty indestructible.

Good luck on your adventure...

MegoApesNut · Mar 30, 2017

Thanks for all of the input. I am most likely going to stick with the 23C for now and see how it goes. We can move in a few weeks and I am already planning the darkroom. Can't wait to get it up and running!

Luis-F-S · Mar 31, 2017

Had two Zone VI enlargers a type one and a type two. Hated them both and got rid of them. I'd keep what you have!

Need advice on enlarger

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