enlarger for 4x5 and up

[paulbeard]

So as often happens, one finds that our equipment doesn't quite match our plans. I have two enlargers here -- a Bogen-branded little cheapy and a Beseler 23c -- and a yen to print some 4x5 images. Is there a way to modify the 23c -- use the parts that I can, like the lamp, focusing and other movements -- to print larger negs? I am planning on doing it horizontally with a vacuum easel (that I have yet to build - hah!), so I may end up with a lot of stuff left over.

It looks like the main constraint is where the neg carrier goes: the hole there is too small to accomodate a 4x5 negative. But everything else is right-sized as best I can tell.

Whaddaya think? Am i wasting my time?

[Jim Jones]

. . . Whaddaya think? Am i wasting my time?


Yes. A lot of big enlargers are selling for little. More would be on the market if shipping costs weren't so high. To modify the 23C you'll need to extend the chassis upwards to accomodate the larger film and longer lens. If you want condenser enlarging, you'll have to locate condenser lenses and improvise a housing for them. The existing lamp housing probably will need extensife modification or replacement.. Diffusion enlarging would be easier, but uneven illumination might be a problem. By buying a 4x5 enlarger you will avoid these problems. A 4x5 enlarger ready to use might not be too much more expensive than buying an appropriate enlarging lens alone.

[paulbeard]

Ah, the bliss of ignorance. I'll look into that, then.

[paulbeard]

so what do you recommend i look for? Beseler 23cs are as common as muck, no matter where you look. What besides a Beseler 45 is worth considering?

[Jim Jones]

Omega made several models of good enlargers. For years I used an Elwood 5x7; crude but functional. Another basic enlarger was the Solar. Perhaps a step down from the Solar was the Federal and the Testrite. I now use a 50=year=old DeJur. It's not perfect, but is versatile and solid. It needed some modifying to handle 35m, though. An enlarger only has to hold the negative, lens, and paper in the right positions, and to have some adjustments. Almost everything else is merely convenience. A good lens is important for sharp images. Enlarging pinhole images is much less critical.

[paulbeard]

Never heard of any of 'em ;-) looks like I need to hunt around some.

[murrayatuptowngallery]

The Solar 5x7 kind of startled me - I expected a huge beast like the Elwood (most people will not ship them on eBay), but saw only a puny little desktop thing. I guess it wasn't intended for very large prints?

[paulbeard]

The Solar 5x7 kind of startled me - I expected a huge beast like the Elwood (most people will not ship them on eBay), but saw only a puny little desktop thing. I guess it wasn't intended for very large prints?

I guess it could make large prints if it was far enough away from the paper?

And it's the shipping that makes this difficult: local pickups are what most people are willing to do.

[murrayatuptowngallery]

Yeah, the maximum height was what surprised me on the one Solar 5x7 I saw.

[earlj]

I found a Beseler 45 MCR with a motorized up and down and two lenses and six negative carriers with both a condenser and a cold head for the amazing price of $40. And the seller had it on the market for two months before I found it. Enlargers are sold locally because they are expensive to ship. Look on Craig's List and estate sales and local want ads.

[murrayatuptowngallery]

Yow, that WAS a deal Earl.

[eddie]

i got an 8x10 with a 240 f5.6 lens, power hook up, and a 16x20 easel........$200!

he he he! living near NYC has some great advantages!
http://f295.f295.org/uploads/Blah.pl?b-workSpace/m-1169329695/

eddie

[paulbeard]

I found a Beseler 45 MCR with a motorized up and down and two lenses and six negative carriers with both a condenser and a cold head for the amazing price of $40. And the seller had it on the market for two months before I found it. Enlargers are sold locally because they are expensive to ship. Look on Craig's List and estate sales and local want ads.

words cannot my express my stunned amazement ;-)

In all likelihood, I'll end up cobbling something together. The lens is the part that concerns me the most. Am I off-base in thinking a decent barrel lens is worth considering? I don't need a shutter, after all.

[Jim Jones]

A barrel lens designed for macro photography or process cameras should do well. Lenses that are fine for general photography often aren't as good in macro or enlarging applications. Quality dedicated enlarging lenses are cheap on today's market.