Hello, I have just bought a used Beseler 45M and am wanting to try my hand at printing my own black & whites (something I've always wanted to do). I am still gathering equipment and was just wondering if someone could possibly tell me what the maximum print size is that I would be able to print with this enlarger? I was hoping to be able to print up to 20X24". Thanks for any help. Ron

-- Ron Crawford (crawdad185@alltel.net), February 08, 2002

Answers

The Beseler 45M is an older version of that design.The enlarger will not go to 16X20;why;I do not know.You will have to lower the baseboard to obtain larger prints or like myself look around for a 40mm lens (for 35mm).Some may say use the wall projection feature but that is not always convenient.

-- Melvin (bramley@nanaimo.ark.com), February 09, 2002.

See if the baseboard is made of two parts. If so, the front one can be removed so you can project down lower and larger. Obviously you need a table or support that allows you to do this, but that's easily made from some 2x4s and carriage bolts. A fancy one would have pegs or slots to put a shelf at various heights. If you're just starting out, you'll have plenty to work on before fooling with 20x24 prints. That takes huge trays (or a tube) and is sufficiently expensive that you don't want to make many mistakes. Then you have to mount it. Learn at the 8x10 or 11x14 size!

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), February 09, 2002.

I have several 45's including this one, and have printed 16 X 20 with no problems. check your upper condenser to be sure it is in the correct position and try a wide angle lens.

-- Ann Clancy (clancya@mediaone.net), February 09, 2002.