Use 4x5 Beseler for smaller film?

[miket-nyc]

Last week, a friend gave me a 4x5 Beseler enlarger (I think an MXT) that was sitting in his shed for a decade. He thought it would be too bulky to transport anywhere to sell. I discovered they're fairly easy to take apart and have now brought it home. But when looking it over, I noticed the condenser can be set for all formats down to 35mm. I have 4x5 negatives, but also lots of 35mm negatives, and even some Minox negatives. But I also have Durst 35mm and 2 1/4" enlargers. Is it practical to use the big Beseler to enlarge these smaller formats, or would it be better to use the smaller enlargers also? I'm now setting up a darkroom for the first time in years, so I can go either way, but space will be at a premium.

Also, my friend sold the lens from the Beseler long ago. How well would the 150 Symmar on my Wista view camera work as an enlarging lens for the big negatives? (I have a 2.8 EL Nikkor for the smaller ones).

Mike Taglieri

[Tin Can]

Historically the taking lens was used as enlarging lens, later specialized lenses became de rigueur

I use a 135mm enlarging lens on 4X5

105 mm lens on 2-1/4

40 mm on 35mm

prefering to use different enlargers all ready to go

my Minox negs are long gone, yet I desperately wanted a Minox enlarger 63 years ago, I find Minox enlargers way too expensive now...

Use what you got!

[jp]

It will work... You'll lose much of the light that won't be hitting the big film so it will be slower than a smaller enlarger with the same wattage, but that's generally OK.
I have room for two enlargers so I use a Beseler for 4x5 and a Chromega-B (6x6cm) with 80mm for smaller stuff and contact prints. Since I have room, I think it's easier to use a smaller enlarger (easier to adjust, focus, see the color head settings, etc..)

[Gary Beasley]

The condenser bellows is adjustable for the format allowing it to focus the beam smaller when running it out to the 35mm end of the scale so you dont lose that much light. Its a very versatile enlarger, you just need the proper lenses, and filters if you have a condenser head. Its handy to have alternate heads, I have a condenser I use most of the time for B&W and a Dichro DG for when I feel like doing color. Some folks prefer the diffusion head tor everything.

[Alan9940]

The 150 lens you have will work, but a process lens like a Schneider 150 G-Claron would fair better as its optimized for the magnification ratios you'll be working at with 4x5. A 150 enlarging lens would be the next step up, IMO. Don't know anything about the condensers on an MXT as I use an Aristo VC Cold Light head which sits immediately above the negative, regardless of size. I thought you had to have different condensers for each size of film?

Oops...forgot to speak to enlarging 35mm on the MXT. The only issue I've ever had with 35mm is focusing the negative when making larger prints. I, eventually, wound up getting a focus extension thingy that makes it much easier and more precise.

[MrFujicaman]

Alan9940-"Focus extension thingy"??? Extended lensboard?

[Doremus Scudder]

Alan9940-"Focus extension thingy"??? Extended lensboard?

Likely a cable extension for the focusing knob so one doesn't have to reach way above their head with one hand while trying to look through the grain magnifier; a fairly common accessory.

@OP,

Enlarging lenses are cheap. You can pick up a 150mm for not to much. I'd recommend you go with a dedicated enlarging lens for a couple of reasons: the shutter on your taking lens will just get in the way. Mounting is a bit of a pain too, especially changing the lens back-and-forth from lensboards for taking/enlarging, and, an enlarging lens will give you better results. Look for good lenses from the big four: Schneider Companon (not the cheaper Comparon), Rodenstock Rodagon, EL Nikkor or Fuji EX lenses. Check out this thread on Photrio: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/schneider-and-rodenstock-el-quality-brand-names.178273/

And, yes, there are 135mm lenses for 4x5 as well, just make sure they are intended for 4x5 first: they'll enable a larger print on the baseboard, but have more light fall-off at the edges; I prefer 150mm for 4x5.

Best,

Doremus

[Greg Y]

Miket, the 45MXT is a reliable workhorse. I use one with a Zone VI VC head for formats up to 4x5. I've got 50, 80, 105, 150 lenses. For large prints from MF as well as 4x5 & 5x7 I use my Durst 138 because it stays in alignment better than the Beseler & I have a drop -bed table. As mentioned, you can get enlarging lenses on ebay for example for as little as $40-50. My lenses are mostly Rodagons, but I have a 210 Componon for 5x7 and a very fine Fuji EBC 75 on Durst boards.

[Alan9940]

Alan9940-"Focus extension thingy"??? Extended lensboard?

http://store.khbphotografix.com/Flexible-Focus-Extension-Kit-for-Beseler-23C-and-45M-Enlargers.html

Not cheap, but it sure makes focusing much easier and precise when the enlarger head is up high. When printing 35mm, for example, even at a moderate enlargement size of 8x12" I find it difficult to look through the grain magnifier while trying to turn the focus knob precisely. With this extension, the right hand sits comfortably near easel level and the extension is easily attached/detached; I don't leave it attached when not printing.

[Luis-F-S]

Like stated in post #3, if you have room for two enlargers, I'd keep the smaller one, if not then just use the 45. L

[Greg Y]

http://store.khbphotografix.com/Flexible-Focus-Extension-Kit-for-Beseler-23C-and-45M-Enlargers.html

Not cheap, but it sure makes focusing much easier and precise when the enlarger head is up high. When printing 35mm, for example, even at a moderate enlargement size of 8x12" I find it difficult to look through the grain magnifier while trying to turn the focus knob precisely. With this extension, the right hand sits comfortably near easel level and the extension is easily attached/detached; I don't leave it attached when not printing.

Alan, My MXT came with a socket head glued onto the knob, so i just insert a ratchet handle and it makes for easy focusing without the big expense.

[MIke Sherck]

I have a Beseler 45 and a Beseler 23c for smaller negs. I took the 23c out of the darkroom years ago snd don't miss it. Have 50mm, 80mm and 150mm enlarging lenses, film carriers, etc.

Mike

[ic-racer]

I print Minox with my Omega 4x5 enlarger. I have the DISK carrier which has about a 9x11 opening, but you really need glass to hold them flat. So, I mask the glass carrier instead.

208220

Also, got this cool splitter last month...
208221

[otto.f]

I bought a second hand Beseler 45MXT last year with all the negative holders from 4x5 to 35mm and 3 Schneider Componon lenses to fit LF, MF and 35mm. It works great. This is my second one, because I sold my first one when digital came in. But I have done most of my prints with this very reliable and no nonsense enlarger. I also owned a Focomat V35, very nice machine, but actually it had not much more to offer in contrast and sharpness, if you’ve got the right enlarger lenses, which Schneider’s are. If I had enough space in my darkroom I’d rather spend it to real large printing facilities like 50x60cm instead of two enlargers.
I don’t know about the Symmar 150 as an enlarger lens, but if there is an enlarger which would make it possible to use it, a Beseler certainly is a candidate.

[Alan9940]

I also owned a Focomat V35, very nice machine, but actually it had not much more to offer in contrast and sharpness, if you’ve got the right enlarger lenses, which Schneider’s are.

I've printed many 35mm negs on my Beseler 45MXT, but about 15 years ago I bought a very complete used Focomat V35 outfit and, after replacing the 40mm standard lens with a Schneider 40mm APO-Componon HM 40mm lens, this is my preferred tool for 35mm printing. I agree that you probably don't realize any contrast or sharpness benefit from using the V35, but IMO it's right up there with the best; and, the autofocus capability makes changing print sizes very easy.

[LabRat]

Have used the Beseler for many 1000's of 35mm negs, and works fine if enlarger was well maintained... One was terrible as it was well overused, as the rail slide blocks were badly worn causing misalignment issues...

Note if the bellows are not too stiff, as this will limit
bellows compression needed to focus large prints with short FL lenses... (A 60mm is a good FL for 35mm...)

I prefer a format specific enlarger for smaller formats, as you have better access to adjust the neg with smaller units...

Did a lot of 35mm with a Negatrans carrier commercially...

Steve K

[Duolab123]

Beseler made negative carriers everything from 8 mm upto 4x5. Condenser enlargers make the most of the lamp output, with the huge glass condensers. I've used these enlargers for 40 years. I have 3 setup right now. Zone VI VC head, Colorhead etc. The most reliable lamp head short of a new expensive light source is what you have. Get a set of Ilford VC filters, enlarging lenses are very inexpensive used. Everything you need to know

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/enlargers/index.html

[AtlantaTerry]

Mike,

Back about 50 years ago when I was a working newspaper photojournalist, several of the papers used variable condenser head 4x5" Beseler enlargers for everything from 35mm to medium format to 4x5" negatives. It is a workhorse. I see you took it apart so be sure when it is assembled that everything is at right angles and parallel where it should be.

If I were putting together a new darkroom I would not hesitate in having just one 4x5" Beseler or Omega variable condenser head enlarger for all the film formats I work with.

No, I would not use a camera lens for an enlarging lens, even though it might be possible.
Get a native focal length lens for each film format:
50mm lens for 35mm film
80mm or 90mm lens for medium format film
150mm lens for 4x5" film

If you look around, you can find some excellent deals on enlarging lenses so why compromise?
Places to look for enlarging lenses and film carriers here in the Atlanta area:
Wing's Camera (tell Mike I sent you)
Quality Camera
KEH
And, as Bob suggests: PPR - Professional Photo Resources.

[Luis-F-S]

I typically use my 8x10 DeVere for printing everything from 135 to 8x10 although I have a dedicated LPL 4500 enlarger for roll film. Once I'm sitting at the DeVere, it's just easier to use it with the smaller negatives than to switch enlargers. L

[Tin Can]

Almost all Beseler film carriers are listed here

https://www.oresteen.com/bes%2045%20carriers.htm

Some are very hard to find

[Bob Salomon]

Mike,

Back about 50 years ago when I was a working newspaper photojournalist, several of the papers used variable condenser head 4x5" Beseler enlargers for everything from 35mm to medium format to 4x5" negatives. It is a workhorse. I see you took it apart so be sure when it is assembled that everything is at right angles and parallel where it should be.

If I were putting together a new darkroom I would not hesitate in having just one 4x5" Beseler or Omega variable condenser head enlarger for all the film formats I work with.

No, I would not use a camera lens for an enlarging lens, even though it might be possible.
Get a native focal length lens for each film format:
50mm lens for 35mm film
80mm or 90mm lens for medium format film
150mm lens for 4x5" film

If you look around, you can find some excellent deals on enlarging lenses so why compromise?
Places to look for enlarging lenses and film carriers here in the Atlanta area:
Wing's Camera (tell Mike I sent you)
Quality Camera
KEH

And PPR.

[AtlantaTerry]

Bob,

Of course, you are right about PPR here in Atlanta being a place to buy camera gear. But I just don't think of them as a place to go for used gear.

Terry

[John Layton]

Another advantage of using a large machine for a small negative is the larger bellows will help to minimize flare.