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
Politically, aerodynamically, and fashionably incorrect.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Last edited by AtlantaTerry; 11-Nov-2020 at 19:36.
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
Almost all Beseler film carriers are listed here
https://www.oresteen.com/bes%2045%20carriers.htm
Some are very hard to find
Tin Can
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