Older Beseler 4x5 enlarger

eric · Oct 1, 2006

My local paper has a Beseler 4x5 enlarger for sale (as well as the whole darkroom). I've worked with the motorized 4x5 version before but I *THINK* this one he's selling is the older one (just a guess from the price). Anyway, he's out of town and emailing me next week for the details.

Just wanted to know if the older 4x5's are crank action or motorized? Will my 23c lensboards fit these? He also said he's got a cold light as well as a color head. Does this mean it is a newer 4x5 enlarger?

And none of you look in my local rags and give the guy a ring. I want this bad boy

ann · Oct 1, 2006

all of the 4x5 have a motor, even the very oldest. the question will be is it working.
the lensboards will fit. Those heads will fit any of the 4x5 frames . The head is interchangable

eric · Oct 1, 2006

ann said:
all of the 4x5 have a motor, even the very oldest. the question will be is it working.
the lensboards will fit. Those heads will fit any of the 4x5 frames . The head is interchangable

wow! Great info. Thanks.
One more, been a while (17 years to be since I put my hands on one of these), does it take filter sheets above the lens or bottom of lens filters?

ann · Oct 1, 2006

it will bepend on which condensor head is on the frame, it might or might not, can't tell without seeing it

it may have the red filter swing arm which will allow you to use the under lens filters , or it could have a slide in version. However, the filters for that type are not easy to find.

i have 3 of these, and one is very old, the struts are forward rather than away from the baseboard, and it is still going strong.

Nick Zentena · Oct 1, 2006

I'm not sure that's true. Mine came with a manual to add the motor. But then mine is a CB

eric · Oct 1, 2006

Thanks Ann/Nick. I'm really excited to see this enlarger. When I do, I'll make sure that I can plug it in at his home and make it go up and down. Perhaps I'll do an investment and see how much I can get more stuff from him (another "I'm going digital guy) and hopefully, I can pass on the deal here on Apug. He's got a Schneider 50 and a Nikon 105 as well so if I do get those, I'll make sure I'll just pass along whatever I get for them here on Apug.

Chan Tran · Oct 1, 2006

Actually only the newest 45V series has hand crank if it doesn't have the optional motorized elevation.

Whiteymorange · Oct 2, 2006

The 23c lensboards will fit but the negative carriers will not. The 45 carriers are much larger.

mtbbrian · Oct 3, 2006

I was in a similiar situation. I found a Beseler 45M on EBay that was local pick up only.
It was a great price so I bought it!
My only trouble now is finding more money to build and equip the space I have set aside for the darkroom!
No Worries! It will happen!
Good luck with yours!
Brian

eric · Oct 3, 2006

mtbbrian said:
Good luck with yours!
Brian

The guy is out of town until Friday. I'm thinking of bring extra cash and seeing what else he has. Cleaning out the darkroom guy.

reellis67 · Oct 3, 2006

I'm in the same boat as Brian. I got one local pickup only on the cheap, but it won't fit in my darkroom/bathroom without trouble.

- Randy

epatsellis · Oct 4, 2006

I know that feeling, I have 2 (yes 2) 8x10 enlargers, and sadly, won't have space to set them up for another few months, fortunately, I can just squeeze a 5x7 Elwood into the bedroom, then off to the bathroom to process, inconvenient as hell, but workable.

erie

RJS · Oct 4, 2006

eric said:
My local paper has a Beseler 4x5 enlarger for sale (as well as the whole darkroom). I've worked with the motorized 4x5 version before but I *THINK* this one he's selling is the older one (just a guess from the price). Anyway, he's out of town and emailing me next week for the details.

Just wanted to know if the older 4x5's are crank action or motorized? Will my 23c lensboards fit these? He also said he's got a cold light as well as a color head. Does this mean it is a newer 4x5 enlarger?

And none of you look in my local rags and give the guy a ring. I want this bad boy

The old ones have a tapered lower bellows - it is not possible to align the lens. The newer models have a square lower bellows with provision for lens alignment. A conversion kit is available (from Beseler) but it is expensive!

eric · Oct 4, 2006

RJS said:
The old ones have a tapered lower bellows - it is not possible to align the lens. The newer models have a square lower bellows with provision for lens alignment. A conversion kit is available (from Beseler) but it is expensive!

That's good to know. Will the lensboard with the 4 pin alignment things work?

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2006

I'm not sure what you mean about the 4 pin thing but to the best of my knowledge all the 4x5 enlarger types from Beseler have used the exact same lensboards. Some have pilot lights. Some are threaded. But they all fit.

eric · Oct 4, 2006

Nick Zentena said:
I'm not sure what you mean about the 4 pin thing but to the best of my knowledge all the 4x5 enlarger types from Beseler have used the exact same lensboards. Some have pilot lights. Some are threaded. But they all fit.

There is a Beseler lensboard that has a drop down openning. In between it, is some cushy material and screw pins on each side. This way, when you put it in the enlarger, you can take a torpedo level, and screw the pins independently to get your lens aligned.

Nick Zentena · Oct 4, 2006

Don't know about that one. But if it fits one 4x5 enlarger it should fit them all.

ann · Oct 4, 2006

that lens board is one that can be used to level the lens. they tend to be a pain, but the board will fit on the 45

Older Beseler 4x5 enlarger

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