Omega B22 or Beseler 23C II . . .

John Galt · Mar 8, 2017

Hi guys, this is my first post so go easy on me . .

Now that I am recently retired I am getting back into B&W film and processing/printing (Tri X 400) . . I have acquired, via Craigslist, an excellent condition Omega B-22 with 35mm and 6x45 negative carriers and a 50mm F2.8 El Nikkor lens for $20. I have also acquired, for $20 (Har!), an excellent, like new condition Beseler 23C II with an 80mm El Nikkor f5.6 lens but with no negative carriers. Neg carriers are not cheap for this.

I will be shooting Tri X 400 in both 35mm and 6x6.

Which would you keep, and why?

Thanks!!

MattKing · Mar 9, 2017

Hi John and welcome to APUG.
Where roughly are you? Is it in Oklahoma?
I would keep both lenses and acquire a lens mount for each of them that works with your chosen enlarger.
You should be able to find used versions of the accessories for either enlarger at reasonable cost.
If you are indeed in the US, either one would be a good choice.
I would choose the Beseler myself because it can handle formats up to 6cm x 9cm, while the Omega is limited to a maximum of 6cm x 6cm.

Jim Noel · Mar 9, 2017

Keep the Beseler!

ac12 · Mar 9, 2017

While I am partial to Omega, in this case, I would go with the enlarger with the most format flexibility. And in this case it is the Beseler 23C.
You may only shoot up to 6x6 now, but the 23c gives you the option to shoot 6x7 and 6x9 (if you want to).
The only thing better would be a 4x5 enlarger, so you can shoot 4x5 sheet film

Yes, you will need to get negative carriers for the Beseler, but you can find them on eBay or put a "wanted" add in APUG.

And keep BOTH lenses.

You can donate the Omega, or use it as a 2nd enlarger.
Or use the Omega until you get the negative carriers for the Beseler, then dontate it.

photog_ed · Mar 9, 2017

I have a couple of Beseler 23 negative carriers and a lensboard that you can have for cheap. PM me if you're interested.

Ed

Rick A · Mar 9, 2017

The Beseler 23C is the more versatile of the two, but I wouldn't dump the B-22. Keep them both set up if you have the space for them, set one up for 35mm, and the other for MF.

Dan0001 · Mar 9, 2017

If space is a concern the B22 is your best option. It can be put away in a closet more conveniently. And its no slouch as an enlarger either. Dare I say the Omega B22 is "sexier". As for it being more shaky, I might agree if you are doing extreme enlargements with the extended column but this is a normally a non-issue. I have had the Besler 23C in the past-it too is very good but heavy and bulky compared to the B22. If room is no problem you might consider a Beseler 4x5 which is absolutely rock solid and then you get a lot more formats to play with.

mdarnton · Mar 9, 2017

I have used both and it's no contest. The B22 shakes like a leaf in the wind; 23-C is like a rock. You would have found lots of 23Cs in professional darkrooms 40 years ago and very few B22s.

John Galt · Mar 9, 2017

Thanks for the replies! I think I will start using the B-22 until I can get the 23C II all sorted out. I used a B-22 alot back in the late '70s and do not recall shaky being a problem, but that may be due to my own ignorance.

A big public "Thanks" to photog_ed for helping me out with some 23C accessories to get me going!

winger · Mar 9, 2017

I also vote for the Beseler. I've got a 23CIII and a 45MX and use them both. And a few extra lenses of unknown quality as well as an extra 6x6 carrier if photog_ed didn't.

ps - We have a similar taste in books judging by your location and screen name.

Born2Late · Mar 9, 2017

Like Coke or Pepsi. Which ever works best for you is the best choice.

rthollenbeck · Mar 9, 2017

I have had both. The most significant argument I have herd in favor of the 23c is that it is designed to accommodate alignment. I can't say I recall that being an issue with either, but if it was....then that would be significant. I kind of favor using the b22 but they both do the job well.

Fabricating brackets brace any enlarger to the wall is simple enough and well worth the effort. I can't imagine ether need more than that to rock solid. I'm pretty sure they both had kits available though the manufacturer or aftermarket to accomplish bracing.

Good luck

John Galt · Mar 9, 2017

winger said:
I also vote for the Beseler. I've got a 23CIII and a 45MX and use them both. And a few extra lenses of unknown quality as well as an extra 6x6 carrier if photog_ed didn't.

ps - We have a similar taste in books judging by your location and screen name.

Winger . . ~and~ we are both patriots fans . . .

Rivendell is the name of my farm. 54 acres in Central NY Hill Country. TLOTR trilogy changed my life when I first read it in HS in 1968.

winger · Mar 9, 2017

John Galt said:
Winger . . ~and~ we are both patriots fans . . .

Rivendell is the name of my farm. 54 acres in Central NY Hill Country. TLOTR trilogy changed my life when I first read it in HS in 1968.

And I grew up in central NYS - the Mohawk Valley - in Little Falls. Yeah, PATS!!! (I do plan on changing my avatar soon, now that they've avenged a certain incident)
Tolkien created such a world - still my favorite fantasy series.

John Galt · Mar 9, 2017

winger said:
And I grew up in central NYS - the Mohawk Valley - in Little Falls. Yeah, PATS!!! (I do plan on changing my avatar soon, now that they've avenged a certain incident)
Tolkien created such a world - still my favorite fantasy series.

Rivendell Farm is in Waterville.

winger · Mar 9, 2017

John Galt said:
Rivendell Farm is in Waterville.

That's wicked close to LF, in the grand scheme of things.

John Galt · Mar 9, 2017

winger said:
That's wicked close to LF, in the grand scheme of things.

Yes it is.

mklw1954 · Mar 9, 2017

I have both, and have made many nice color prints with the B22 (using a Chromega B Dichro lamphouse) and b&w prints with the 23C. Both are good, so keep both if you can, but the 23C is more sturdy. The mechanism for raising the head to insert the negative holder on the B22 is pretty flimsy in my opinion but it works.

I haven't been using these since I found a Minolta MOD3 enlarger, which I use for both b&w and color.

paul ron · Mar 10, 2017

keep that lens from the b22 n sell the enlarger so you can buy neg carriers for the other..

the besseler is a great enlarger. make your own neg carriers from matt board for now till you find them in the classifieds. i see them here for 20 something bucks in most sizes.

Hans Mulders · Mar 10, 2017

+1 for the Beseler.
Beautyfull light and stable as a rock.

BobMarvin11225 · Mar 12, 2017

If you prefer Omega enlargers the B-8 is more comparable to the Beseler 23C than the relatively puny B-22

MrBrowning · Mar 12, 2017

+1 for the Beseler also. I have one and love it. As a side note I'm about 45 minutes from Waterville and have a few extra lens boards if you want them.

Omega B22 or Beseler 23C II . . .

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