One gotta go....Beseler 23SC or 67SC????

[KenPrater]

I currently have 3 enlargers 45MXII (fully restored by me), the 23(dusty but usable) and the 67 (near Mint) and I feel like I'm doing too much by having all three. I shoot 35, 645 and 4x5. I have 2 50mm nikon lens and an 80mm Kruznach lens.

At first I thought I would keep all three and mount a lens for each format and never have to swap between when changing film formats. But now I think I could recover some space in the makeshift darkroom by just using 2 and letting one go.

I have all the carrier sizes for the 67 and only the one 35mm carrier for the 23.

I also have all the carriers for the 45 as well. Im sure some would say the 45 can be the end all be all, just use that but I really want to have an alternate that's less mechanical, sans motor drive.

So moral of the story, for those with experience, any significant pros or cons for either?

Any advice would render me greatly appreciative.

Thanks all.

 

[MattKing]

What light sources do you have available for each?
I like my 67C - the older version with the single, fairly massive, support girder. I have both condenser and colour heads, and look with longing at the VC heads.
Right now it is in storage, because I've only got room for one enlarger, and my Omega 6D serves all my needs in a single enlarger, but if I had room for two ...
With a 45MXII at hand, the fact that the 67 is limited to 6x7 at the largest isn't a problem.
The fact that you have the carriers for your 67 is definitely a plus.
The only down side of the 67 (IMHO) is that Beseler never made a glass carrier for it.

 

[mshchem]

Choose the one that takes up the least space, nicest condition. I have 3 Beseler 4x5 MXT , I recently got rid of a 45 mcrx, the old blue one. I bought it new in 1973. The motor is still running fine.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

Im sure some would say the 45 can be the end all be all, just use that

Not me. Printing small negatives with a huge bulky enlarger is very annoying. I also have a big enlarger for 4x5 and 6x9, and a smaller enlarger for 6x7, 6x6 and 35mm, which is a very convenient setup if you ask me.

Since you seem to have more accessories for the 67SC and you describe this enlarger as also in better shape than the other, I'd say there is no reason at all to keep the 23C.

 

[KenPrater]

What light sources do you have available for each?
I like my 67C - the older version with the single, fairly massive, support girder. I have both condenser and colour heads, and look with longing at the VC heads.
Right now it is in storage, because I've only got room for one enlarger, and my Omega 6D serves all my needs in a single enlarger, but if I had room for two ...
With a 45MXII at hand, the fact that the 67 is limited to 6x7 at the largest isn't a problem.
The fact that you have the carriers for your 67 is definitely a plus.
The only down side of the 67 (IMHO) is that Beseler never made a glass carrier for it.

I only have condenser heads for them. I have not reached into the realm of color printing yet.

You have made a bunch of valid points too. I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks.

 

[KenPrater]

Choose the one that takes up the least space, nicest condition. I have 3 Beseler 4x5 MXT , I recently got rid of a 45 mcrx, the old blue one. I bought it new in 1973. The motor is still running fine.

I was thinking the same thing too. I am leaning towards the 67 so far.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[KenPrater]

Not me. Printing small negatives with a huge bulky enlarger is very annoying. I also have a big enlarger for 4x5 and 6x9, and a smaller enlarger for 6x7, 6x6 and 35mm, which is a very convenient setup if you ask me.

Since you seem to have more accessories for the 67SC and you describe this enlarger as also in better shape than the other, I'd say there is no reason at all to keep the 23C.

Marco I was thinking the same thing as far as printing small negs on that huge 45. The plus of the 67 is yes, I a great range of accessories and its the cleaner of the two med to small format enlargers I have.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[MattKing]

I only have condenser heads for them. I have not reached into the realm of color printing yet.

You have made a bunch of valid points too. I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks.

The dichroic colour heads are also great for variable contrast black and white printing. They offer a diffusion source that allows contrast adjustment and work well. It is really easy to switch the heads as needed.
One caution though - the dichroic heads come in a number of different versions. The most important differences relate to the power supplies. The current versions have the power supplies in the head themselves. Older versions require separate power supplies, and the power supplies differ between those versions. If you buy a used dichroic colour head be sure you get with it the right power supply.

 

[Pentode]

I agree with the others regarding the 67; It's cleaner and you have more accessories for it. Plus you have the 45 so you're not lacking when it comes to larger than 6x7 negs.
As much as I'm a 23c fanboy, I suggest you let yours go.

As for your poll, I was a bit confused. Are we voting for which one must go or which one stays?

 

[aoresteen]

If you were nearer I'd take the 23C. I have 3 but what's one more ?

Here are my pages on the 23C:

http://oresteen.com/bess23c.htm

http://oresteen.com/Bess23C_conv parts.htm

 

[M Carter]

The only down side of the 67 (IMHO) is that Beseler never made a glass carrier for it.

I had a 67C for some time; I DIY'd up a glass carrier for it that worked well; I have seen the 23C's glass carrier on eBay, but it seems like a rare beast?

I found the 67C to be a decent enlarger, but for printing large I raised the column (plywood box and bolts) and made a ceiling brace for the top of the column; a DIY "Besalign" board and it was very capable of 16x20 prints. It's pretty compact for what it's capable of, but I'd guess a 23C in good shape is overall a better machine? Never owned one; a friend's daughter got my 67 when I found a 4x5.

 

[mshchem]

Marco I was thinking the same thing as far as printing small negs on that huge 45. The plus of the 67 is yes, I a great range of accessories and its the cleaner of the two med to small format enlargers I have.

Thanks for the feedback.

There's a couple of dichro colorheads and the separate power supply for the 67 on the auction site. Cheap! That would be a sweet small setup for printing color and VC . Of course there's nothing magical about dichro heads ,but they are fun to play with Well, until they fail or start to act up.

 

[darkroommike]

I find surveys tiresome.

You didn't mention the 45 in the survey but it gets my vote. You don't have any carriers but the 35mm for the 23C, dump it, carriers are expensive, you don't need more lenses since the 45 lenses are on the same boards. I would try to get it down to one enlarger and the winner of that contest is the 45.

 

[mshchem]

If you are being practical, I agree darkroom Mike. Clear out everything but the 4x5. I've had Beseler 4x5 enlargers for 45 years. The original is still going strong at a friend's place. The Beseler has filter capacity, all kinds of light sources etc.

If you are sure you will only be printing small negatives and space is an issue, the 67 is a very decent enlarger. I have 5 enlargers setup right now. 3 4x5 Beseler, 1 Zone VI VC 5X7 setup for 6x17 negatives, 1 Zone VI VC for 8x10. I love it all. But I spend a lot of time just playing around, my darkroom is my Man Cave.