I found a beseler 4x5 without condensers, then got some condensers from someone else... there is a short one and a taller one.... which one goes on top?

also, why, when I set the thing up for 35mm, with 35 mm carrier and a 50mm lens, is the projected rectangle so small? The condenser position is set properly... I've used the 23c extensively. At the height where the 4x5 projects a 5x7 rectangle, the 23c would be all over the place. whats up? I have this problem with the 6x9 combination too...

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), April 22, 2001

Answers

Go to the Beseler site, www.beseler-photo.com, and look at the exploded drawings and parts list. The 23CIII has thick and thin condensers, but the 45M seems to list two different diameters and a position for each. The image size problem has to be that the enlargers are at different heights or you don't have the lens you think you do. Given the same lens, if the distance from the baseboard to the lens is the same, and the image is in focus, the image will be the same size. This has nothing to do with the enlarger, just simple optical formulas. I suppose the bellows is long enough that you could crank it out and make postage stamp size prints ;-), but the head would still be lower than normal.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), April 22, 2001.

Thanks for the response- this is a 45MCRX and the condensers are of equal diameter- 6.5 ins. -one is taller than the other by about a quarter inch. I don't know if it makes any difference-

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), April 22, 2001.

Hi Chris- You got me curious, so I took mine apart. Please understand that this enlarger isn't in daily use, and I don't know who might have messed with it long before I got it. It's sort of a spare for the spare. Anyway, the thicker condenser is on the bottom, then the thick fiber spacer, then the thinner condenser, then the narrow fiber spacer, all held in the casting by three flat headed screws, slotted fiber pressure pieces, and tinnerman nuts (I think that's what they're called). If you find out that this isn't right, send me a note so I can fix mine :-)

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), April 22, 2001.

Thanks Condard, I'll put them in that way.....

-- Chris Yeager (cyeager@ix.netcom.com), April 23, 2001.