What enlarger lens do I need?

[Gabe]

Hello, I have the Beseler 23C-III XL and am using a Pentax 6x7. I bought a 90mm lens but the lens size seems to be too large for 8x10 prints. Do I need a longer lens such as a 100mm?

 

[Rick A]

Going longer will limit enlargements, you need to go shorter, an 80mm. However, I don't understand why you would be having trouble making an 8x10 with a 90mm on an XL chassis, you should be able to make at least a 16x20 with your set up, do you have your condensers set properly?

 

[Bikerider]

I would not have thought that the position of the condensers is a problem. If they were out of place you would have had possible uneven development, The lens to me seem a bit on the long side for 6x7 and a 80 will give even coverage. A good 80mm would possibly be any of the following three lenses, the Nikon 80mm. Schneider Componon 80mm, or Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm It is the lens to film distance which to some extent governs the degree of enlargement. Is there any obstruction stopping the full focussing movement or does the enlarger head go right to the top of the column.

 

[Gabe]

Going longer will limit enlargements, you need to go shorter, an 80mm. However, I don't understand why you would be having trouble making an 8x10 with a 90mm on an XL chassis, you should be able to make at least a 16x20 with your set up, do you have your condensers set properly?

To be honest with you I’m not completely sure. I only used a darkroom and enlarger in my classes where they were mostly already set up. I’m kinda working through all of the things I wasn’t taught right now. The only thing I know about a condenser is the type of head that comes with the 23C and I don’t have the condenser head I have the variable contrast head, does that have anything to do with what you’re talking about. Sorry for the newbie questions and thanks for your help

 

[mnemosyne]

90mm or 80mm will make a difference in how big you can go on any given enlarger, but I don't see how it would limit you to 8x10 prints on a full grown enlarger like the Beseler. Something else is wrong. What lens exactly are you using?

 

[grain elevator]

Gabe, you need to describe the issue in more detail. It's not even clear if it's not going large enough or not small enough.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The general rule of thumb is to use a "normal" focal length for your film format -- for 35mm (24x36 mm frame) you'd use a 50mm, for 6x6 (aka 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, if you think in inches), 80mm, for 6x9 cm a 105-110, etc. Your 90mm is about right for 6x7 negatives, so there must be some other constraint. Ceiling too low to run the enlarger up further, perhaps?

 

[mgb74]

I agree with the others who said you should not have a problem with a 90mm enlarging lens and 6x7 negative. Do you have a copy of the manual? If not, message me and I'll send you a pdf.

 

[logan2z]

Do you have a copy of the manual? If not, message me and I'll send you a pdf.

FYI it's available for download here:

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

 

[mgb74]

FYI it's available for download here:

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

That website is a great source of information. But the link you provided was for the C II, not the C III. Not many differences, but some.

 

[Luis-F-S]

The one that you have should work fine. Get the manual and read it for the setup.

 

[logan2z]

That website is a great source of information. But the link you provided was for the C II, not the C III. Not many differences, but some.

Sorry, I figured they were pretty much the same, but if there are meaningful differences then a manual for the III is likely better.

 

[Pieter12]

Hello, I have the Beseler 23C-III XL and am using a Pentax 6x7. I bought a 90mm lens but the lens size seems to be too large for 8x10 prints. Do I need a longer lens such as a 100mm?

Do you mean you can't make anything as small as an 8x10 or as large as an 8x10?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Hello, I have the Beseler 23C-III XL and am using a Pentax 6x7. I bought a 90mm lens but the lens size seems to be too large for 8x10 prints. Do I need a longer lens such as a 100mm?

What format film are you using? Generally 50mm enlarging lenses are for 35mm film, 70mm to 90mm for 120 film and 125mm to 150mm for 4"x5" film.

 

[Paul Howell]

OP says 6X7 so a 90mm should work, and maybe a good 80mm. But dont understands what OP means by too long, is the enlarger head at the top of the carriage, too close to the base board?