Looking for some help on Enlargers

[CDN_FELLOW]

Wondering if I could get a bit of guidance here; I have this enlarger I inherited from a studio that I worked in years ago. At the time, they were going to throw it out, so I grabbed it and threw it into the basement until now. I shoot 8x10 and 4x5 but have had access to a darkroom until recently, so I am thinking of setting one up.
I'm not sure if this enlarger is any good? I've read online that some people have managed to convert Beseler enlargers to 8x10. Do you think it is worth doing with this one? Or should I be searching for a different one and keep this enlarger as it is?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, so thank you in advance.

[ic-racer]

I'm not sure if this enlarger is any good?

Does it work?
Are the bellows light tight?
Are the condensers clean and intact?
Do you have the negative holder?

[CDN_FELLOW]

It works, I turned it on, however its been sitting for 15 years so I'm going to take it apart and give it a good inspection and good clean. I do have some of the holders.

[Ironage]

Looks like a nice classic that will serve you well with all formats up to 4x5. If you want to make enlargements, you may want to use the 4x5 camera and leave the 8x10 for beautiful contact prints. Enlarging 8x10 might be overkill, but if you really want to do that you would be better off getting a monster enlarger. I doubt you will see a quality differences between a enlargement of reasonable size made from either format. Which lens do you have for this enlarger.

[Tin Can]

Don't convert to 8X10

Use that wonderful enlarger as it is

It you want huge prints it can, remove the board and shoot down, or tilt it back to wall shoot

Get it now

then read the manual after

[Jim Noel]

Occasionally n 8x10 cold light made for this enlarger appears for sale. It is not a difficult or time consuming task to change the heads frokm810 coldl light to 4x5 condenser, or cold light.
This is a very good and very serviceable enlarger.

[CDN_FELLOW]

Thank you all for the information, I'll post some pics when I get the Darkroom setup. What is the 8x10 cold light called that fits the Beseler Enlarger?

[Tin Can]

old school

don't do it

I have 2, I dislike them so much, I won't sell them or use them

[Tin Can]

If you have money, buy these https://www.catlabs.info/product/heiland-led-cold-light-source

If not DIY

[Ethan]

Thank you all for the information, I'll post some pics when I get the Darkroom setup. What is the 8x10 cold light called that fits the Beseler Enlarger?

Just called the beseler 810. It’s not made anymore and can be hard to find. I think there’s also a guy in Europe who makes a simple led cold light conversion. If you’re up for som diy electronics, this guy has a guide on creating a VC head: https://www.jbhphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/LEDsVCPrinting03.pdf

Elgatosuizo also posted a guide on this forum on a diy head using color led matrices, that would be the easiest and cheapest diy solution, but I don’t think the LEDs in RGB matrices will print as high contrast as straight ones diy wired will do.

[brucetaylor]

Yes, check over at Photrio.com, there is a fellow that makes 8x10 simple conversion heads for the Beseler.

[Tin Can]

Mine was handmade, from simple wood, stacking boxes and 2 plates of glass for the negative

Not by me, but a famous photographer

It used the Aristo 12X12 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/119739-REG/Aristo_1212_C_V54_110V_1212_Cold_Light_Head.html)







Yes, check over at Photrio.com, there is a fellow that makes 8x10 simple conversion heads for the Beseler.

[Len Middleton]

As you show as being in the Toronto area, you might want to introduce yourself to Bob Carnie.

Bob is in Toronto and provides printing services for negative sizes up to 11x14, as he has a big Devere enlarger capable of that negative size.

Really quite helpful and does extremely good work. Also has some other interesting "tricks" including alt photographic printing.

He has a you Tube channel and did a tour of his printing and processing area.

Say hi to him for me, if you do go and see him.

Good luck in your efforts,

Len

[LabRat]

I think it was Kenko that had an 8x10 conversion head I have seen on Beselers made for the graphic arts industry (but don't know how well they worked or how configured)... Used to see them in industrial surplus where houses (when still around)...
Maybe some online...

Steve K

[Luis-F-S]

I suspect he may already have one for the Beseler 4x5.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/8x10-conversion-durst-138s-g139.171164/