Paula
Member
Hi All,
I've got the opportunity of getting a beseler 5X4 enlarger for free but I haven't got a clue about its spec or how it operates etc. For example, how would it compare with my Durst 605?
Any experiences or pointers gratefully received.
Regards
Paula
I've got the opportunity of getting a beseler 5X4 enlarger for free but I haven't got a clue about its spec or how it operates etc. For example, how would it compare with my Durst 605?
Any experiences or pointers gratefully received.
Regards
Paula
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Paula: Which model is it? I have the 45MX, which has a motorized head lift. I have not had a darkroom in many years, but I will put it into service again when I do rebuild a darkroom.
I never had any problems with mine. I know some people prefer the Durst and state that the negative stage alignment can be a problem with the Beselers. But I never had any problem in that regard. And I have never used a Durst, so I can't compare the two.
In my installatin I removed the baseboard and the angle brackets for the base, and mounted the enlarger directly to a concrete block wall. This made for a very stable installatin; I used turnbuckles attached to the top of the frame to be able to adjust the alignment so that it was perfectly vertical. I replaced the baseboard with an adjustable table that allowed me to achieve greater enlargements, plus I could use longer focal length lenses (e.g a 75mm lens instead of 50mm) for the format of the negative, giving me better lens performance.
For free, it's a bargain, of course. Even if you don't like it or use it, you could donate it to a photography program in need of equipment, or to a young photographer who might not be able to afford it otherwise.
Trius
I never had any problems with mine. I know some people prefer the Durst and state that the negative stage alignment can be a problem with the Beselers. But I never had any problem in that regard. And I have never used a Durst, so I can't compare the two.
In my installatin I removed the baseboard and the angle brackets for the base, and mounted the enlarger directly to a concrete block wall. This made for a very stable installatin; I used turnbuckles attached to the top of the frame to be able to adjust the alignment so that it was perfectly vertical. I replaced the baseboard with an adjustable table that allowed me to achieve greater enlargements, plus I could use longer focal length lenses (e.g a 75mm lens instead of 50mm) for the format of the negative, giving me better lens performance.
For free, it's a bargain, of course. Even if you don't like it or use it, you could donate it to a photography program in need of equipment, or to a young photographer who might not be able to afford it otherwise.
Trius