The Beseler 67C enlarger has no built in provision for aligning the negative carrier. Does anyone have a proven technique for assuring alignment with the lens stage and with the easel?

Bob Gordon

-- Bob Gordon (rgordon@sienahts.edu), June 05, 2000

Answers

You can buy a tool that is essentially a stick with a bubble level, springs, and an adjustment screw. It is hard to explain how it works, but it comes with instructions. You can also make a more precise tool with mirrors, one of which must have a hole in the center. I found some instructions at http://www.photonet.demon.nl/align.html, which seem clear enough. Essentially, you remove the lens from the enlarger and place the mirror with the hole in it where the lens goes, mirror surface facing down. Then you place the other mirror on your baseboard facing up and turn the enlarger light on. The two mirrors reflect each other infinitely, but if the planes are not exactly parallel the images of the light shining through the hole in the upper mirror do not line up properly.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), June 06, 2000.

Ed,

Thanks. I bought an alignment tool a few months ago. It confirmed my suspicion that my enlarger is out of alignment. My question is, how can I adjust either the negative carrier to get back in alignment. I've considered making shims out of gaffer tape but I was wondering if anyone has a better solution.

Bob

-- Bob Gordon (rgordon@sienahts.edu), June 06, 2000.

The best system I have ever seen for adjusting an enlarger consisted of two screen door braces cut down to the appropriate lengths and fastened to the top of the enlarger and the wall in a V configuration. This allowed precise adjustment of the alignment of the enlarger to the baseboard.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), June 06, 2000.

I also have a 67C and, amazingly, I still have the manual that came with it in 1979.

Regarding this alignment they state, "To make this adjustment, loosen (do not remove) the two Phillips head screws on each side of the negative stage. The entire negative stage/lens stage assembly may then be tilted from side to side and front to back until the required conditions are me. Titghten the Phillips head screws to secure the assembly in this position."

The booklet shows the screws on either side of the platform that supports the negative carrier, four in all. Looks easy. I've never touched them, 'though. Let me know how it goes.

Well, you've now gotten me paranoid about this topic. I'll have to pick up an alignment tool or learn the mirror trick.

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), June 06, 2000.

That should read, "until the required conditions are met."

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), June 06, 2000.

Don,

Thanks for the advice. I loosened the screws and tried to adjust the negative carrier assembly but did not notice any movement. I will try again tonight.

Bob

-- Bob Gordon (rgordon@sienahts.edu), June 07, 2000.

I have an older Beseler 67 (late 70's?) and I am not aware that it has the adjustments mentioned above.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), June 07, 2000.

Ed -

According to the instruction booklet that accompanied my 67C enlarger it does permit adjustment of the negative stage and lens, but I don't know if they move as a single unit or if they can be tipped independently. Seems to me the crucial adjustment is parallelism of the negative and lens board. Depth of field at the negative is said to be very shallow. At the easel it is much greater so the alignment of the negative and lens with the baseboard, while important, seems to allow more margin for error.

My 2", and worth what you paid for it.

-- Don Karon (dkaron@socal.rr.com), June 08, 2000.

You have the answer all ready on how the mechanics of aloigning your enlarger. Here is some good info on how to measure alignment. Best of Luck.

http://www.slonet.org/~dkrehbie/2photo/print/enlarger.htm

Victor Soto

-- Victor B. Soto (vgsoto@worldnet.att.net), June 16, 2000.