How to align Enlarger

[mllanos1111]

I recently puchased a Besseler 23cII XL enlarger and I would like to know how to align it.
The person I puchased it from gave me a couple of alignment mirrors ( one has a hole in it) and I'm not sure how to use it.
The other thing I'm not sure about is adjusting the lens angle?
It seems that the lens can swival from left to right, how do I know when it is in the correct spot? I'm assuming I don't have to worry about the front to back angle since it is on the same plane as the rest of the enlarger.
If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

 

[Jonathan R]

Get a piece of dark B/W film (the end of a developed roll), and with the tip of a sharp knife, score fine lines right across the emulsion side, in 2 directions at right angles. Put this in the negative carrier, open the lens right up, and study the image on the baseboard. Try various adjustments to render all the lines in focus at the same time. Do this at different enlarger heights. You'll probably come to the conclusion (as I did) that you have to fasten the enlarger directly to the bench (no baseboard), and fasten the top of the column rigidly to the wall.

 

[Finder]

First start with the screw at the base of the head to make sure the head is level front to back. To make sure that is correct, place a level on your easel on the baseboard to see the level and then level the head to that position. Repeat with the lens board swing. That should be it. There are levels that can be adjusted to different unlevel surfaces for this purpose if you plan to do this often.

I have never needed anything but levels to align enlargers. The mirror method I believe consist of placing the mirror with the hole at the film plane facing down and the other mirror on the easel. You adjust the enlarger so that the mirror are parallel. I assume a small circle of light should be around the easel mirror.

PS, I have never had a problem with Beseler baseboards or a need for wall mounts. Either for a 23 XL or 4x5 enlargers. I do use wall mounts with Omega D5XL enlargers.

 

[eric]

I have never needed anything but levels to align enlargers. The mirror method I believe consist of placing the mirror with the hole at the film plane facing down and the other mirror on the easel. You adjust the enlarger so that the mirror are parallel. I assume a small circle of light should be around the easel mirror.

Yep, me too. I'm amazed that people buy those expensive enlarger aligners. Just a torpedo level on the lens fore and aft and same on the easel.

I've recently been printing lots of 16x20's so the level is always there and I check every 2 or 3 prints. Gotta be exact when dealing with that size! Check twice, do once. 16x20's can be costly if you make a mistake that can be rectified in 90 seconds.

 

[mllanos1111]

Wow! thanks for all the great information, I'm going to go check all the adjustments.
The easels dont have adjustments, but in the High End Audio world they make all kinds of adjustible feet for audio equipment and it wouldnt be too difficult to make a little adjustible platform for the easel.
Thanks!

 

[Bryce]

I've got a 23c and have found that to get critically sharp prints took some care in the alignment area.
I used the 2 mirror method. You'll have to take the top apart to use it, so you can look straight down the whole works from the top.
To align the lens carrier, place the upper mirror on a lensboard in place of a lens. This is the only way I've found to accurately set the lens tilt adjustment.
You can't use a grain focuser any where away from the center, so checking sharpness at the edges is rather hit and miss without placing the upper mirror on the lensboard.
Enjoy!

 

[sepiareverb]

Get the laser. Saves more time than you can afford to spend in the darkroom not printing.

 

[mllanos1111]

I'm going to pla with some of these adjustments and see what happens.
Wish we had a travelling laser adjuster. That would be nice.