Acquired a Beseler Cadet II, yet I know nothing...

[bucks11]

Afternoon all,
I just got my hands on enough stuff to fill my darkroom twice over, all for a picture of Ulysses. Another impulse buy for a filmee, i know... Anyways, in the heap was a Cadet II, practically new, with a bunch of paper. Now it looks like i have to try my hand at printing. 😱 Lacking instructions of course, there were other lenses including a 50/2.8 El Nikkor, 75/3.5 El Omegar, and a 50/3.5 El Omegar in addition to the Beseler 50/3.5 attached. Can i change these on the Cadet? It looks like there isnt a way to access the retaining ring on the enlarger without removing the bellows? I know these are the low-end economy model for 35mm, but are they designed to only use the Beseler 50? I want to at least give the Nikon a try...

Thanks in advance,
bucks

 

[mwoenv]

I'm not familiar with that model but if it's the same as my Beseler 23CII, push the lens/lensboard back and the lens board can be removed. Then you can remove the retaining ring and put on a different lens.

The Nikon lens is good 6-element lens.

 

[bucks11]

Thanks for the input, mwoenv. I've tried removing it using the only way I could remember from my film class, sliding it backward (or forward)... :/ Didn't make any progress with it. Once I get home for the weekend I'll give it another go.

 

[kuzano]

I won't be much help... but

I won't be much help... but

I believe the Beseler Cadet is a much smaller enlarger than a Beseler 23 and quite different in configuration.

There is a short review (VERY SHORT) on youtube. Otherwise, I'd search Beseler Cadet II on eBay for a manual and on Google.