New Beseler LED Light source

New
https://www.beselerphoto.com/beseler-photos-led-dichro-45sl-shines-in-times-square/

 

I suspect it's additive like the loved/hated Universal 45. Could be that switching to B+W uses only Blue and Green channels. I'm curious who is making this unit. Beseler doesn't (or didn't ) have any engineering, the enlargers are part of a much bigger company. Looks like it's aimed at education, so it will probably cost 4 grand.
I talked to KHB Photografix today, Kevin was surprised at the news. I found out when I was Googling for some parts

It will still use CMY dials but I suspect it's RGB leds, maybe it actually has dichro filters and white leds? ??

 

Funky new timer as well.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1377561-REG/beseler_8197_digital_timer.html

 

Also in the Times Square display, the photo shows the upper bellows extended???

 

I called Beseler today. They expect the product to be available very soon. Sounds like a very elegant straight forward design. Three dials CMY, white light for black and white. If you want VC you dial in appropriate yellow and/or magenta. It does have dichro filters and a standard all in one 4x5 mixing chamber. Just like all the other heads you remove the entire condenser assy. and lock on this head. I didn't inquire about price. Stabilized power supply external. The illuminated dials dim when you turn out the room lights. Sounds like a great tool for educational purposes.
Jobo is making processors, Beseler is making new colorheads, Great! !

 

I got this from Beseler today. It sounds like people that have seen it are quite excited. I didn't ask pricing etc. It looks like it's going to be well received. I think it's great news.

DICHRO 45SL SPECIFICATIONS Line Voltage: Model #8278L 120V ±5%, 60Hz Electronics: Internally stabilized, solid state Lamp: 3 Lamps, LED Array, Factory Replace Only (5 Year Warranty on LED Lamps) Type of Filtration: Dichroic Interference Filters Filtration: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan Auxiliary Filtration: None Blower: None Mixing Chambers: Standard 4x5 (Included) Dimensions: Head – 17”W x 14”H x 13”D Power Supply – 7”W x 4”H x 10”D Weight: Head – 17.25 pounds Power Supply – 5.8 pounds Shipping Dimensions: Head – 20.5”W x 19”H x 16.5”D Power Supply – 11”W x 6”H x 13”D Shipping Weight: Head – 21.5 pounds Power Supply – 6.5 pounds

 

Yep, it's a bit narrower and a few inches taller

 

What I like. It's for analog photography. And the user interface is about as analog as it gets!

The Beseler / Minolta thing was supposed to be the greatest thing ever. I have one I got for free, it works. But it's physically painful for me to contemplate using such a device.

I'm really looking forward to see these hit the market .

Also Beseler has a beautiful new timer that would be perfect for this. Again you don't need to be able to land an A320 on the Hudson River to figure it out

Best Regards Mike

 

And for ring around prints none better . I have 4 or 5 Beseler Universal with color and VC controllers. I tell myself I should try my 45A ,but if I love it what would I do with everything else
God I love this stuff! !

 

Beseler still has institutional buyers. Most government state, federal institutions don't routinely allow purchase of used equipment, for a lot of obvious reasons. There's a resurgence of interest in analog photography at all levels in education. For a lot of good reasons, one being get off your damn phone .

I'm not kidding, the other day, I'm reading a magazine, had trouble seeing a printed picture, I went to "squeeze and spread" to zoom in. Too much iPad! ,

I think it's going to be a hit with college crowd. The instructor won't be running around trying to show students how to operate. Someone needs to make viewing filter kits like the old Kodak set.