I have been enlarging my 4X5 negatives from an old British manufactured MPP field camera on a Bessler enlarger. I am interested in a 5X7 field camera, however other than contact printing I'm not clear on enlarging methods. My question is, can the Bessler 45 enlarger be modified to handle 5X7 negatives (and if so, how), and if not, what are my options?

Thanks to all, Bob Passage

-- Bob Passage (bgpassage@earthlink.net), December 12, 2001

Answers

If I remember correctly... you can get an 8x10 conversion head for the 45MX...

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), December 12, 2001.

Actually, looking at calumetphoto.com, you can buy a 5x7 enlarger cheaper than the 8x10 conversion... just a thought.

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), December 12, 2001.

There are a number of used 5x7 enlargers on the market, most of them inexpensive. Some to the point of 'take it out of here & it is yours' cheap. As long as they will take a good lens, have even light projection and you can hold the negs flat they will work. In most cases you can even rig a light source to make your 5x7 camera an enlarger.

If you do start enlarging you might find the 12x16 inch papers are a very good fit for this size. You can print full frame with an inch surround and it mounts & mats beautifully. You can sign directly on the white border. 5x7 is a fun format as you have found out. Almost the same proportions as 35mm which so many of us have grown up on. The lens line available is very good, with many of our best 4x5 lenses covering the format. A 4x5 back on the 5x7 gives even more options when wanted.

Check out the want ads in various places for older 5x7 enlargers and you might be surprised what is available. From almost nothing to over $10,000 if you want.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), December 13, 2001.