Omega D3 or Beseler 45

Given these choices, which is preferable? Any potential “gotchas” to look for?

The Omega D3, though solidly built, is a specialized linear-cam-actuated autofocus enlarger made to speed production and increase throughput in a commercial lab. The particular cam mounted on the enlarger works in conjunction with only one specific make and model of lens, which limits it to one film size at a time.

For a significant format change, you’d need to change both the lens and the specific cam made to work with that particular make and model of lens. Acquiring the correct lens & cam combinations can be difficult now. The D3 Automega and D4 Auto-Chromega (cam-actuated autofocus) enlargers should be avoided. There are many more-practical choices, such as the manual-focus Omega DII, D2, D5, D6 for 4” x 5” and smaller formats.

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D3.htm

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D4.htm

Of the two enlargers you’ve referenced, the Besler 45 is a much better choice. It also has a provision for pivoting the carriage on the column 90° for horizontal projection if you should ever want to make prints larger than the machine’s vertical-projection size limit.

Lens mounts, negative carriers and other components for the Beseler 45 and for the list of non-autofocus Omega enlargers above are relatively plentiful on the used market. Many of the Beseler and some of the Omega components can still be bought new in 2020.

Ian C said:

The Omega D3, though solidly built, is a specialized linear-cam-actuated autofocus enlarger made to speed production and increase throughput in a commercial lab. The particular cam mounted on the enlarger works in conjunction with only one specific make and model of lens, which limits it to one film size at a time.

For a significant format change, you’d need to change both the lens and the specific cam made to work with that particular make and model of lens. Acquiring the correct lens & cam combinations can be difficult now. The D3 Automega and D4 Auto-Chromega (cam-actuated autofocus) enlargers should be avoided. There are many more-practical choices, such as the manual-focus Omega DII, D2, D5, D6 for 4” x 5” and smaller formats.

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D3.htm

http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D4.htm

Of the two enlargers you’ve referenced, the Besler 45 is a much better choice. It also has a provision for pivoting the carriage on the column 90° for horizontal projection if you should ever want to make prints larger than the machine’s vertical-projection size limit.

Lens mounts, negative carriers and other components for the Beseler 45 and for the list of non-autofocus Omega enlargers above are relatively plentiful on the used market. Many of the Beseler and some of the Omega components can still be bought new in 2020.

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Thanks! Just the info I was looking for. I thought the Beseler might be more problematic due to the motorized head.

Horatio said:

Thanks! Just the info I was looking for. I thought the Beseler might be more problematic due to the motorized head.

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The motor is a pretty low tech, highly overbuilt part. I've not heard of people having issues with them.

Horatio said:

Thanks! Just the info I was looking for. I thought the Beseler might be more problematic due to the motorized head.

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When I took a motor apart 2-3 years ago, I found the manufacturers part number (Beseler's supplier) and was able to see that it was commercially available.

There were many versions of the Bes 45, with some variations.

Good Afternoon, Horatio,

I've been using a Beseler 45 MCR-X since the mid-1970's. It still functions just as it did then. No issues at all with the motor drive.

Konical

D2 for simple architectural elegance (not D3 for reasons cited above). MCRX is great if you need horizontal projection ...and the smell of the motor as it slowly grrrrs it's way to oblivion.

Konical said:

Good Afternoon, Horatio,

I've been using a Beseler 45 MCR-X since the mid-1970's. It still functions just as it did then. No issues at all with the motor drive.

Konical

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I "babysat" 4 of them in a community darkroom. All came to that darkroom used and - as you can imagine - received a lot of not always careful use while there. Yet I don't remember one bad motor. I did have to replace a motor elevation switch once.

My friend Louie Stettner used an Omega. I don’t remember which model. I have used the Beseler since early 1970s, and it’s still going strong. I find the Beseler convenient for ease when changing film formats. And there exists a wide selection of carriers, from Minox to 45, still easily available used. Since both enlargers are well built, choice is a subjective decision.

StepheKoontz said:

The motor is a pretty low tech, highly overbuilt part. I've not heard of people having issues with them.

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That's the first thing that went bad on my Beseler 45. Of course, it was about 40 years old by then, a first generation model. These days I use an Omega D-6 ProLab 4x5.

Rick A said:

That's the first thing that went bad on my Beseler 45. Of course, it was about 40 years old by then, a first generation model. These days I use an Omega D-6 ProLab 4x5.

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When the motor on my ancient beloved MCRX failed, cc 1972, Beseler advised local rebuild...which only took a week.

See if you can find somebody in your local community who actually rebuilds motors rather than trying to replace them online...from China.

Most motor failures are easy fixes having to do with "brushes" Do you know how to do that? I did it when the motor of my huge print dryer failed. There are sometimes ways to improvise.

Me, I'd want another Durst.

jtk said:

When the motor on my ancient beloved MCRX failed, cc 1972, Beseler advised local rebuild...which only took a week.

See if you can find somebody in your local community who actually rebuilds motors rather than trying to replace them online...from China.

Most motor failures are easy fixes having to do with "brushes" Do you know how to do that? I did it when the motor of my huge print dryer failed. There are sometimes ways to improvise.

Me, I'd want another Durst.

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I gave that enlarger away several years back. I've also gifted a couple of Beseler 23Cii's and an Elwood 5x7.

For me it came down to what was available locally - took maybe 6 months, ended up with a Beseler MXT.

The 2 most common variants of the Beseler motorized 4x5 are the original MX - it has a tapered bellows with sliding drawer for the red filter, and Schiempflug ability - it seems to be painted blue or gray. To do wall projection, you need a special bracket (supplied with the enlarger but you don't always get one). The MXT changed to a square focus bellows to allow a lens turret ("T" for turret), and also added a rudimentary neg-stage alignment, which works OK if you add some foam under the screw plate. But you lose the Schiempflug ability, and the red filter is now on a pivot-post thing.

They're both solid enlargers - mine goes out of alignment when you change height, not massively but if you do large prints you'll want something to align it (Versalab, worth every penny). And an adjustable "Besalign" style lens board is highly recommended, but you can DIY one of those with a drill press (I made a PDF that covers making one). One note on the Beseler 4x5 condenser head - the illumination isn't even on both of mine; some corner falloff at larger sizes that tones down as you stop down, by F16 at 16x20 (with a 135 or 150 lens, the lens stage being 25-30" above the easel) it's pretty easy to deal with. It must be a common enough problem since there used to be a guy making hand-milled diffusion discs to even the light out.

Thanks, everyone, for the informative responses.

1. Beseler is still in business, Omega is not.
2. I have and use a D3, I have four tracks and four lenses, the completely mechanical AF system is intended to keep the image in approximate focus as you change magnification. Omega matched sets were nice (and marketing genius, I'm sure Omega sold a lot of "matched sets" of tracks and cams) but in reality close is close enough, I have upgraded all the lenses on my D3.

With any used enlarger, make sure it is complete for your needs when you buy it, used parts are getting harder to find. This is especially true for any brands other than Beseler and Omega.

And even if your current plans do not include 4x5 buy a 4x5 machine if you can afford the price and space, resale will be much better in the future.

While I keep Omegas on my bench, I did work with a 45 Beseler for several years in a commercial photographer's studio and I liked it quite well.

The motor is a non-issue, for me, and if the machine is tight, the frame no 'racked' by misadventure, and square and if the lens board still adjustable, I suggest it will give you a life time of service.

See if you can find a good multi-lens turret, which ever way you go and remember you can use matboard negative holders for small and 6x6 cm or so films, but, you really should have an OEM 4x5 holder.

Otherwise, look a a D or E series Omega enlarger, with the thick, cable focus attachment, if you do a lot of Big Work.

IMO.