Beseler 45M

[steve hartsfield]

I have the 45MXII with a Zone VI cold light (non VC). I assume I can lower the top bellows as far down (compressed) as it will go. I do not know why the upper section (above the negative) is adjustable. Any ideas?

[domaz]

It's for changing your format. For 4x5 you lower the upper bellows all the way down, for 35mm it's basically all the way up.

[Jon Shiu]

It's adjustable because it originally came with condenser lenses that needed to be adjusted for each film format. With the cold light you just keep it compressed.

Jon

[steve hartsfield]

that's logical. Just needed to make sure. Thanks!!

[Len Middleton]

Actually on some of the models (if not all) there is a scale and a pointer (on the right hand side at the rear of the bellows) to indicate which format the bellows compression is set for.

The scale is held on the top sectioln with two very small screws and may have gotten knocked off or taken off, as was the case with mine.

Hope that helps,

Len

[Brian Ellis]

Actually on some of the models (if not all) there is a scale and a pointer (on the right hand side at the rear of the bellows) to indicate which format the bellows compression is set for.

The scale is held on the top sectioln with two very small screws and may have gotten knocked off or taken off, as was the case with mine.

Hope that helps,

Len

At some point I believe Beseler stopped including the scale as original equipment on the M series enlargers but it continued to be available as an accessory. I know my MXT, which I bought new, didn't have it. I didn't know any better and ordered one even though I used an Aristo VCL head and so didn't need it (which I didn't learn until later). Fortunately it only cost a couple dollars.