Beseler 8x10 Conversion Kit made to order or Beseler 810 Kit

[Luther Hert]

Will the Beseler 8x10 Kit allow for the fitting of an Aristo T12 Cold light head? If not, does anyone know who will or can make an 8x10 enlarging box to fit a Beseler 45V-XL enlarger, with an Aristo T12 (12x12)? I would also need an 8x10 anti-newton glass negative carrier, and a negative carrier board for a Componon 360mm lens. I would like to be able to fit filters above lens. Any help or advice is appreciated.

Thank you,
Luther

[John Layton]

Luther, that 360 might be a bit too long for this setup, unless you plan to make smallish prints. You may want to look for a 300, or even a 240mm lens as a more practical alternative, given the limitations of the vertical rise of this setup.

[angusparker]

A guy called Apogeebee on the Bay may be able to help you. He sells converters for the V-XL so that it can take heavy Chromega heads etc. I'm setting up my V-XL with the Beseler 810 head in the next two weeks. If you give me the dimensions of your Aristo T12 I can see if they match the Beseler version. I think Aristo made both and I suspect it will fit fine.

[Ginette]

If I remember well I saw some pictures of the Aristo 1212 on the Beseler Conversion kit.
Both lamps, 1212 and T12 have the same size 11 7/8 square but the T12 have more output with a 17 lines grid compared to the 15 lines for the 1212.
Actually the V54 replacement grid is available for the T12 but not for the 1212.

[ic-racer]

Luther, that 360 might be a bit too long for this setup, unless you plan to make smallish prints.

No, that lens is too long unless he is making huge mural enlargements. The bellows draw for a 'small' 1:1 print with that lens will be 28".

[John Layton]

Not referring to 1:1, but more concerned by the 45VXL's fixed column length, ceiling height, and assumption of a fixed bench height of 30 to 36 inches. Given these limitations, Luther might find a shorter FL (300 or even 240) to be far more usable, at least in terms the range of print sizes possible from this setup. My previous vertical setup (now building a horizontal), albeit homemade, was similar in terms of constraints (8' ceiling, 3' bench height), and for this I found my 240mm Rodagon to represent a workable solution.

[Luis-F-S]

Sounds like it's time for a 240 Rodagon to me. L

[angusparker]

The 240 Rodagon will fit on a Beseler board and mount on a 45 V-XL if you grind out a corner of the bottom bellow plate.

The 300 Rodagon may fit but I'm having trouble getting it to mount!

[John Layton]

For a more compact 240 - find a "Beseler-HD" 240 f/9 enlarging lens. I believe this was made by Rodenstock. I owned one of these awhile back and it was a very decent performer if you don't mind the small maximum aperture.

[angusparker]

For a more compact 240 - find a "Beseler-HD" 240 f/9 enlarging lens. I believe this was made by Rodenstock. I owned one of these awhile back and it was a very decent performer if you don't mind the small maximum aperture.

I have one too - very small - but many say it's a poor performer.... I will have to see. Probably will sell it soon anyway since I have the Rodagon.

[Tin Can]

Have you guys looked at the DIY section? A few of us have been at this for a while.

[Neal Chaves]

Even a 300mm Rodagon is too long for 8X10 on the 45VXL. I had on up on the enlarger but sold it because I knew I would never use it. The 300mm 5.6 Rodagon will mount on a standard Beseler lens board once the circular hole is notched out as we have shown in previous posts. 240mm is the ideal focal lenght for the Beseler 8X10 conversion. My 240mm f9 Beslar was sharp, but my 240mm 5.6 Rodagon is nice and bright as well as being very sharp.

[Tin Can]

Look at the lens enlarging chart somebody here gave me.

Tells all.

130018

[Neal Chaves]

Here are views of the 300mm 5.6 Rodagon in place and the cuts required on the Beseler lens stage parts to get it to fit. Note the additional little cut I had to make in the parts so that the rear element of the 300 would go in. For the 240, only a notch in the circular section is needed. It sure seemed that difference in the lens to paper distance between the 240 and the 300 was greater than shown in Randy's chart, only 7" for a 12X16 print. My head was unacceptably high just to make an 11X14, my usual print size.
130089130090130091

[angusparker]

Here are views of the 300mm 5.6 Rodagon in place and the cuts required on the Beseler lens stage parts to get it to fit. Note the additional little cut I had to make in the parts so that the rear element of the 300 would go in. For the 240, only a notch in the circular section is needed. It sure seemed that difference in the lens to paper distance between the 240 and the 300 was greater than shown in Randy's chart, only 7" for a 12X16 print. My head was unacceptably high just to make an 11X14, my usual print size.
130089130090130091

Thank you for sharing.