Beseler 45 condenser height settings

[John Dey]

I am using a Beseler 45 with a condenser head for B&W work. Can someone please post the distance between the negative stage and condenser for 35mm, 2 1/4 and 4x5. My enlarger no longer has the scale on the back. I've read that the scale has to be removed in order to use a color head. Thanks for the help.

[Peter Mounier]

It's just a sliding scale that doesn't have to be exact. Think of the cone of light that's emanating from the bulb. The widest area of the cone (for 4x5 negs) is going to be farthest from the light source. My enlarger had a scale but I mostly ignored it and set the height only after looking at the coverage on my easel. Put an empty neg carrier in the enlarger and turn it on. As you raise and lower the condenser, vignetting will appear and disappear on the easel.

Peter

[banjo]

all are from the neg-holder to thr pointer
4x5 = 1 1/4"
3x4 = 2 3/8"
2x3 = 3 3/8"
2 1/4 x2 1/4 = 4 3/8"
35m = 6"