Question about beseler 23cII xl and 135mm lens

Emilro · May 20, 2024

Hi!
I want to ask you guys if its posible to use a 135mm lens on this enlarger for enlarge 6x7 and 6x6 negatives?

Regards

xkaes · May 20, 2024

Sure. I don't recall the maximum amount of bellows on the 23C, but if it's not enough you can add an extension. However, even if you don't need an extension, you might not be able to make small prints -- so you are likely to run into some limitations.

You don't say if that is the only enlarging lens you have, but if so, you can add a close-up lens to the front of the lens (if you have access to one) and it will shorten the focal length of the lens. For example, a #2 close-up lens will turn your 135mm into a 105mm lens -- your 23C can handle that, no problem.

And keep in mind that if you want to make a really big print with your 135mm -- in case you run out of height with your XL -- just add a #2 CU lens.

Emilro · May 20, 2024

Thanks for your response! I have a el nikkor 75mm and a old rodagon 80mm 5,6. So i was thinking in one lens that could do everything. Both lenses have a little fog inside so i was thinking in replace them for a do all kind of lens.

Paul Howell · May 20, 2024

If the 23c has a long enough bellows you can swizzel the enlarger on it's side and shoot to wall to make larger prints, at that point the only limiting factor is the distance the wall. But looking at the manual might need a lens cone for the 135.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_23C_II.pdf

Paul Howell · May 20, 2024

Looking at the manual the lens you want is a 90mm. It is the lens for 6X7 but should work with 6X6, and as I posted by swizzling the enlarger on it's side you can print larger.

Emilro · May 20, 2024

I am mostly concern about if the bellows extensión allow the use of 135mm lens… or maybe i just need a 105 lens or something in that spectrum?

Paul Howell · May 20, 2024

As I read the manual the bellows will not allow for a 135 or a 105, you need a accessory cone that gives the additional extension.

xkaes · May 20, 2024

If a 90mm is the longest lens that your 23C bellows will handle -- without a cone and other limitations like print size -- you can turn your 135mm into a 90mm lens with a #4 close-up lens. Cheaper and much easier to find than an extension cone (which you won't need).

Most 80mm enlarging lenses won't cover 6x7 -- the Minolta C.E. 80mm f5.6 being an exception that I know of.

Rick A · May 20, 2024

Paul Howell said:
As I read the manual the bellows will not allow for a 135 or a 105, you need a accessory cone that gives the additional extension.

I have a 105mm on my 23Cii, focuses just fine.

Paul Howell · May 20, 2024

How large of print can you make with it? I use a 105 on my D3 for 6X9, was a bit surprised when the manual matches a 90 with 6X9, I would have thought a 90 to be bit too short.

Rick A · May 21, 2024

Paul Howell said:
How large of print can you make with it? I use a 105 on my D3 for 6X9, was a bit surprised when the manual matches a 90 with 6X9, I would have thought a 90 to be bit too short.

I can go to 16x20, I have the standard chassis not the XL. I have a Wollensak 90mm on my D5 that is optimized for 6x9 and I can get to 20x24 with it.

xkaes · May 21, 2024

Paul Howell said:
was a bit surprised when the manual matches a 90 with 6X9, I would have thought a 90 to be bit too short.

There are a couple of 90mm enlarging lenses that claim 6x9 coverage -- Voss & Computar -- but most are 100mm or 105mm. The Voss should be easy to find and inexpensive -- the Computar? The opposite.

Rick A · May 21, 2024

I have the #0, 3 1/2" (90mm) enlarging Raptar for 2 1/4x 3 1/4". They also made a 101mm for the same format.

https://cameraeccentric.com/static/img/pdfs/wollensak_4.pdf

Paul Howell · May 21, 2024

I have a Rodenstock 105, a Kodak 100, and the Wollensak 90 which I have not used for 6X9. my D3 has the standard column so I can go 16X20 without turning to the floor.

craigclu · May 22, 2024

I use a Schneider 90 HM on a 23CII for 6x7 work with no sense of fall-off and the eveness of light is equal to my 100 Componon S on 6x7 so I just settled into using the 90 for most MF. Naturally, it also is great with 6x6 and 645, too. A Rodagon WA 60 gets pulled out if I need to go to extremes (for ceiling height limits) on 645 and is a decent performer.

Question about beseler 23cII xl and 135mm lens

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