I've used a dichroic head, and since, 1989 a Minolta 45A. You either love 'em or hate 'em. Doug obviously hates them. I like my 45A head. It has a lot of nice features that I use regularly, and once calibrated, the color analyzer portion works very well. I think the colors have better separation and appear 'cleaner' than with a dichroic head. I don't find the popping noise (capacitors discharging) that they make during exposure aggravating - some people do.
- Carlwen carrier base for Beseler 45M, Beseler 23C and/or Beseler 6X7, and Omega D for use with 4' wide carriers, no carrier included, cutout in base is for 6x6cm, but may be enlarged to accomodate longer negative, model 2224, $70. Carlwen carrier base for 4X5 Omega or Beseler 45M, model WW7-3-2no, 6X7cm carrier. The window in the base is 62X80mm.
- Video on how to use a Beseler 45 Enlarger with a Condenser Head and a Dichro Color Head.
The head is different to use for setting the exposure, and I can see how some people would not like the method. There are 3 separate exposures (RGB) calibrated from 0-250. So you don't dial in a filter pack and then set a separate exposure on a timer for the whole pack as with a standard dichroic colorhead enlarger. As you change exposures for each individual channel, you are setting the total exposure and the color balance. It took a while to get used to using this method after changing from a dichroic head, but, now that I've gotten used to it, the method seems easy.
Charles Beseler Company Photographic Equipment Division 2018 West Main Street P.O. Box 431 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Phone: 800.237.3537 570.517.0400 Fax: 800.966.4515 Get Directions. Published on Oct 30, 2017 Bessler Minolta 45A test for focusing lamp and flash tubes. Pulses are quicker that the video can record.
What I really like, is if I want to color burn in an area, I can use a single color (R,G,or B), or I can use mixtures of two or three colors at different exposures. It's not quite the same on a dichroic head, because if you add cyan, you are dialing in a neutral density. On the 45A head, as you add all three colors together you get 'white.'
In use, the 45A counts down from your total exposure 100% to 0%, so dodging and burning is really easy as all you have to do is watch the percentages on the controller. There is a 'slow' exposure mode where the tube output is cut in half and the flash repetition rate increased. The total time counts down slower so that you have a longer time to work. Also, in this mode, at the end of each 10% decriment (100% to 90%, 90% to 80%, etc.) the head shuts off for about 1 second so that you can terminate the exposure at that point. If you don't the exposure resumes.
If you can alter your thinking on exposure and filtering, and ignore the noise (sounds like popcorn popping) - I think you can get better results with this type of head.
-- steve (s.swinehart@worldnet.att.net), June 15, 2000.
All 23C III-XL enlargers are built around the extra long and rigid twin girder construction which helps reduce vibrations while allowing print sizes larger than 16″x20″ on the baseboard. A rack and pinion carriage elevation system provides exceptionally smooth magnification adjustments while the positive locking mechanism assures that magnification settings do not shift during the focus exposure. The modular design includes a number of system features. These features include more precise alignment of the negative and lens stages for greater optical performance, a tilting projection assembly for wall projections, a distortion correcting lens stage, a below the lens filter holder which accommodates variable contrast or special filters, and a smooth friction drive focus assembly which allows for left or right handed control.
All 23C III-XL lamp houses accept formats up to and including 6x9cm and have ample space on the sturdy 16″x25½” white laminated baseboard.
45 MXT Enlarger
The 45 MXT motorized chassis provides a sturdy foundation for this enlarging system. The enlarger chassis has a triangular reinforced truss with twin girder frame which permits the enlarger to produce prints greater than 16″x20″ on the baseboard from 35mm film.
45 V-XL The Professional’s Enlarger
The 45 V-XL sets the standard for professional laboratory use offering faster operation, greater productivity, increased efficiency, and unprecedented versatility in a large format enlarger. Its massive twin E-Channel with center-braced and vertical column assures that the center of the projected image remains stationary when changing image magnification. Thus, there is no need to reposition the enlarging easel, especially important with roll easel users. The extra long column permits enlargements greater than 24x on the baseboard from 35mm film with a 50mm lens.
The 45V-XL accepts the Beseler 3 lens turret, all the 45 series light sources and lensboards, and film carriers.
67 XLC Condenser, 67 XLD Dichro Color and 67 XLVC Enlarger
The enlarger’s single column emulates the braced, twin channel design found in Beseler’s “top of the line” 45 VXL and assures solid support at the highest magnifications. The column allows prints as large as 16″x20″ to be made on the baseboard from 35mm negatives and a 50mm lens. A built in swivel allows the projection assembly to rotate making wall projection easy.
Beseler 45a Manual Instructions
Additional features include an improved rack and pinion elevation control with locking mechanisms, right and left hand focusing controls, elevation reference scale and below the lens filter holder.
These enlargers are a fine example of the extra measure of craftsmanship and performance which have characterized Beseler products for over 140 years.
Beseler 45a Manual
Cadet®II Enlarger
The Cadet®II is ideally suited for both beginners and experienced amateur 35mm photographers. It’s compact, lightweight design, plus ease of assembly, setup, and storage offers the perfect solution for the temporary or traveling darkroom. The Cadet®II comes equipped and ready for use, complete with a 35mm negative/slide carrier, a filter drawer for 3″x3″ color or variable contrast printing filters, 2¼” optional glass condenser, a 14¼”x11¾” white laminated baseboard for enlargements up to 8″x10″ and our new four element 50mm lens. The reversible column allows for floor projection and larger magnifications. The column features a counter-balanced elevation control as well as an elevation scale for speedy printing size.
Printmaker 35/67 Condenser, Printmaker Dichro 67 and 67 Variable Contrast Enlargers
Beseler 45a Manual Diagram
The Printmaker 35 is an excellent choice for those who are using the 35mm format while the 67 is equipped to handle from 35mm up to 6×7 cm formats. The Printmaker now performs better than ever. The Printmaker’s compact size makes it perfect for small darkrooms, temporary darkrooms, or portable darkrooms. It can produce prints up to 11″x14″ on the baseboard or much larger when reversing the column and projecting on the floor. Additional features include a focus knob, which can be attached for either left or right handed use, a built in elevation scale, and a below the lens filter holder.