Beseler Dichro 45S Head for Smaller B&W Negatives

[neil poulsen]

How does the Beseler Dichro 45S Head with the 4x5 mixer work for medium format and 35mm black and white negatives?

I checked the Beseler site, and it doesn't appear that there's a mixer available for smaller negatives. Was there ever a medium format mixer available?

[Peter Mounier]

I have the Beseler Dichro 45S head and mixing chambers for 35mm, 6x7, and 4x5 films. If you're interested in buying the head with all the mixing chambers I'll consider offers.

Peter

[dsphotog]

I have printed all size negs (35mm 120 4x5)without changing the mixing box..The light is even, and the printing time is the same with all formats.
If you use the 35mm box you will get shorter exposure times, but I don't print that much 35mm.
I rarely use the 35mm box, because the head must be removed to change... Its too much work.
David Silva
Modesto,Ca

[Peter Mounier]

dsphotog
The mixing chambers for my Dichro 45S all go in the same way. No need to remove the head to use the 35mm chamber. Does your look like this attached pic?

[mikebarger]

I have a smaller mixer, but always just use the 4x5 for small negs. Never a problem.

If you watch ebay you can get the head and mixers pretty cheap.

Mike

[neil poulsen]

Thanks for the info!

If I get this head, I can see what the exposure times are and look for a 35mm head if needed.

[Nick_3536]

The only time I had long times were with some REALLY dense cross processed E6 negs. B&W even with 35mm was never an issue.

[Brian Ellis]

Years ago I had a Beseler 45S color head. When I started doing 35mm I bought a 35mm mixer for some outrageous price, $150 or so IIRC. I bought it because Beseler said it would cut exposure times in half as compared with the 4x5 mixer. After I bought it it dawned on me that I could have cut exposure times in half just be opening up the aperture on my enlarger lens by a stop.

[dsphotog]

You're right Pete,
I have both the 45s & the earlier head...I was thinking of the earlier blue one, that has 2 bulbs & an access door on back, facing the wall.
Not as cool as the 45s. The S is a MUCH better design.
www.DavidSilvaPhoto.com

[jeroldharter]

You don't need the mixing chamber. In fact, you might need to get a small neutral density filter for the enlarging lens. The exposure times can be quite short for B&W work. I suppose if you were making the largest possible enlargements on Ilfochrome then the mixing chamber might help, but not to many people do that anymore.