Using a Beseler PM2 color analyzer?

[srs5694]

Hi,

I've got a Beseler PM2 color analyzer that's gathering dust because I don't know how to use it. (I got it without a manual.) Does anybody have any pointers, or better yet, a copy of the manual they could scan or photocopy for me? (I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount for photocopying and postage.) Thanks for any tips.

 

[BruceN]

I just emailed you a pdf manual for a PM2L. I have one of those and use it occasionally.

Bruce

 

[srs5694]

Thanks. I got the e-mail. I've printed, but have not yet read, the manual.

 

[Chan Tran]

I have the manual for the PM2A, If you need it let me know I can send you a scanned copy.

 

[cw4wheeler@comcast.n]

Beseler PM2 Manual.

Sir,

I have exactly the same pronelm. I purchased a PM2 without a manual. I would be really grateful if you could send me a copy and will greatfully refund you for any expense you incur.

My e-mail is cw4wheeler@comcast.net

 

[ZorkiKat]

Make sure that your analyser's phototube is working. Its the main component inside the probe. I have a Beseler analyser too. Got it without a manual, and tried for so long to figure out how it worked. Then I was able to get one, and still I can't make heads or tails of the setup. Then it became clear that the probe had a dead tube in it. The machine would work, the numbers would appear on the panel, but it won't do as the instructions describe it.

It's really a tube inside- if you open the probe, it will contain what looks like a large radio tube(valve). I would think that the probe in my unit got dropped or knocked around before I got it.

Jay

 

[srs5694]

cw4wheeler, I've just sent you an e-mail with the PDF that BruceN sent me. I hope you find it helpful.

ZorkiKat, my unit's tube definitely works. The thing responds more-or-less as I'd expect from the instructions. I haven't gotten around to doing more color printing since I posted my query, though, so I don't yet know how well the analyzer works. I plan to do more color printing within a few days, so I'll know more soon enough....

 

[Chan Tran]

I am curious to know which version of the PM2 you all have? I never had the PM2 but I believe it's close to the PM2A. I have the PM2A, PM2L and PM2M. I think they are the newer version of the plain PM2. The PM2L is the lower end model and the PM2M is the top model.

 

[srs5694]

Mine is just marked "PM2." It looks just like Dead Link Removed on eBay. Judging by the switches and dials in photos, it looks like the PM2A and PM2L are low-end models, the PM2 has more features, and the PM2M has more features still.

 

[cw4wheeler@comcast.n]

Mr. Tran,

Pardon me for typical novice stupidity, but I assumed there was only one PM2. I soon found that there was a series of them. I quickly got a response from the gentleman who started this thread sending me a cvopy of the manual he got from another member. He sent me a copy of the manual for the PM2L. Ther unit I bpought is the PM2A. I guess that the title itself implies the there would be a progressive series of this unit, it just did not occur to me. I don't know that there will be a great difference between units, but there must be some. If anyone knows bwhat they are or has a PM2A manual, again, I will be happy to cover any cost involved in getting a copy. And to Rod, thank you for your efforts in my behalf. Joe

 

[Chan Tran]

I can see that the PM2 was design strictly for printing from color neg because it has a common Cyan dial (labeled Master). I can see it has 3 program banks. The main one with the knobs below and the 2 additional one on the right hand side with the selector switch just below them. The newer models all have separate Cyan knob.
The PM2A has 1 set of programming knobs but accept plug in module. It also has a coarse and fine adjustment knobs for each channel.
The PM2L lacks fine/coarse adjustment and does not accept plug in module and thus it only has 1 programming bank.
The PM2M has larger meter. The coarse adjustment knobs have click stop and it also accept plug in module. It also has fiber optic probe with cosine adjustment. Actually the fiber optic probe simply pipes light into an idential probe like other models.
I also have the PM4L which is identical to the PM2M but with a digital display and when in the white channel the readout displays exposure time in seconds.
Operation principle of all those are about the same.

 

[kissssss]

@BruceN, Chan Tran: please send me a scan file to truongthx@gmx.net. I just bought a dust and beseler pm2M analyzer. Hope them are same. Thank you very much!

 

[mtjade2007]

I own and have used many color analyzers, including one called Chromega Pro something. I have the analyzers in boxes these days. Color analyzers are primarily for figuring out filtration for printing negatives. One practice that I tried to follow is to print an image as a standard. Then store the filtration analyzer CMYK values as a program in the analyzer. Typically skin tone of a person is the interesting point. So you store the analyzer CMYK values on a spot of the skin as a program. When you print another picture and you want to achieve a same skin tone you can set the sensor on the image spot of the skin with the analyzer set to the stored program. Then you adjust the M and Y filters (C is usually set to 0) of the color head of the enlarger and the aperture of the enlarger lens until the analyzer has the same CMYK values stored in the program. This is to adjust the filtration pack and aperture of the enlarger lens (with a fixed exposure time) until the analyzer's CMYK readings are nulled (0) on the meter of the analyzer. The program and the analyzer helps you to figure out the filtration and aperture so that when you expose to a same photo paper and process it the same way with same chemicals you will produce an exact identical skin tone on the spot you used to run the program.

This may sound not very complicated. But in reality it is not a trivial task. You may reproduce the identical skin tone for a tiny spot yet all remaining colors of the picture are still way off color balance. If your images always have a white, a black and a 18% gray spot hidden in them then the analyzer can help you figuring out the enlarger filtration and aperture in a minute, if not sooner. And you will always get a perfect print. In reality this is just impossible. Nevertheless it is a fun instrument to play with. It will depend on yourself how useful it may become to you. I have not used any of them for more than 10 years.

 

[SurfDog]

Beseler PM2

I just emailed you a pdf manual for a PM2L. I have one of those and use it occasionally.

Bruce

If you still have that file, would you mind sending it to me? I am new here, but just received a PM2 today and no book.
Thank you,
Rudy Willis

 

[frobozz]

I posted my PM2L manual scan a while back. The analyzer is long gone, but I made a PDF of the manual for posterity!

http://www.backglass.org/duncan/darkroom/beseler_pm2l.pdf

Duncan

 

[robz]

PM2A Manual Request

I'm looking for a pdf of the Beseler PM2A manual. If anyone could email me a copy I'd appreciate it very much.

 

[Rogerio]

PM2A Manual Download

Like the frobozz, I posted my PM2A manual:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/a1i8oh50b3w9a72/BeselerPM2AManual.pdf

I hope that everyone enjoy...
Rogerio

 

[Bruce H]

I posted my PM2L manual scan a while back. The analyzer is long gone, but I made a PDF of the manual for posterity!

http://www.backglass.org/duncan/darkroom/beseler_pm2l.pdf

Duncan

Very helpful! I just acquired a Beseler PM2L color analyzer as a freeby with a Beseler 67S enlarger.