colyn
ישו משיח
Picked up this monster of an enlarger today for $20.
Has the Arista cold light head and motorized column. Got the 35mm, 2 1/4x2 1/4, and 4x5 negative carriers along with several Schneider lens.
Has the Arista cold light head and motorized column. Got the 35mm, 2 1/4x2 1/4, and 4x5 negative carriers along with several Schneider lens.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Cool...Great price...and it is a monster...I picked up a 23C II with the DGA Color Head and a bunch of extras for a little over twice what you paid...
You're going to need a solid table to hold this one still...
Is this your first enlarger or do you already have a darkroom set-up ???
You're going to need a solid table to hold this one still...
Is this your first enlarger or do you already have a darkroom set-up ???
colyn
ישו משיח
I'm going to build a table for this one.
I've had a darkroom setup for years.
FrankS
Registered User
Excellent! I've got a Besseler 4x5 as well, but paid quite a bit more for it. Now is a good time for photographers using traditional (old) technologies and processes.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I suggest an alignment aid for the Beseler 45. I was always battling poor alignment with mine.
This one makes it very easy- and considering the deal you got on the enlarger worth it.
http://www.versalab.com/server/photo/products/parallel.htm
This one makes it very easy- and considering the deal you got on the enlarger worth it.
http://www.versalab.com/server/photo/products/parallel.htm
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colyn
ישו משיח
I've noticed many people trying to sell on Craigslist are asking sky high prices. I've done better buying from yard sales and flea markets..
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
I got mine at a yard sale...wasn't looking for one but it was there and the price was right...the seller wanted to sell everything as one...included with the enlarger was...
2- Gralab 300's
1- Unicolor 352 motor base w/Unidrum II (11x14) & Filmdrum II (w/2 reels)
5- Paterson 12x15 trays
2- Saunders Borderless Easels 11x14 & 8x10
2- Prinz 35mm SS Reels (new in box)
1- Micro Sight Focusing Grain Scope 25x
1- Magna Sight Enlarger Focusing Sight
and a few other items...
My first intention was to sell the enlarger since I already had an one (non-Beseler) Keep what I needed and sell the rest...
Then...(a really bad thought)...I decided why not try it out...see what it'll do...
I'm keeping this enlarger...so now I have two...too...
I've picked up the 6x6 and 6x4.5 neg holders...now I can go from 35mm up 6x9...I had a 105mm and 135mm lens so I'm covered...It came with a Minolta C.E.Rokkor-x 50mm 2.8
It's set up right now and I might print again later today...
Shadowplay
Established
This is all rather exciting. Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about enlargers, making wet prints, etc. Would you all be so kind as to direct me to the title of a book, website, etc that might help me out? It's something I've been kind of considering, and I really am considering it now that I am not having much success getting scans that are pleasing to my eye.
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
Try looking for a copy of the book "Photography" by Barbara London Upton & John Upton...
It's a good book that covers a lot of photographic subjects...you might have to look for it in the used book sections as it may be out of print...
It's a good book that covers a lot of photographic subjects...you might have to look for it in the used book sections as it may be out of print...
Shadowplay
Established
Thanks Sam
Pablito
coco frío
Thanks for posting this. I have other alignment tools but this looks better. The Beseler 45 is a nighmare to keep aligned properly, partly bcs of the moving negative stage. At that price you can't go wrong, though.
JohnTF
Veteran
If you are handy, and I assume you are to attempt to build the table, you might wish to build something to replace the part of the base that is removable, with adjustable shelves, makes a nice system to larger prints, or consider wall mounting. We have one darkroom with such a set up, the base just pulls out and can be moved as you need. The enlarger just barely fits between the floor joists in my darkroom when it is raised. I use a kitchen base unit cabinet for mine.
I had the Picker Cold Light head, probably made by Arista, and liked it very much, but mostly I use the Minolta Beseler Additive Color head, somehow adding red is much more intuitive, and it is easily adjustable to .01cc or some crazy small unit. Color Bat used to offer parts and instructions.
I think the 45M series are the best of the Beseler line, have had one for a long time, no problems.
A down and dirty alignment check can possibly be made with a piece of old fogged film, you scratch it with a razor edge from corner to corner, and see if the scratch is sharp everywhere when in focus.
That said, the alignment tools are pretty precise.
Watch your head when you are focusing, or keep a cold rag to help with the lumps.
It can easily be used at 90 Degrees, but watch the top bits do not fall off when you rotate it, you should see the 90 degree lock for horizontal usage.
The manual was not very big, so do not worry if you cannot find one.
The lens boards were standard 1/8" thick (I think) aircraft aluminum, and can easily be made by a machinist friend, but if you hang about any real stores, the bits and pieces are lying about.
Doubt if you are going to wear it out. ;-)
Regards, John