It is labeled “dichro 45 color computer.” This is the one that has problems with turn-on time delay in many production units. Two versions: the dichro 45 with LED readouts to the left of the switches and dials. The Beseler 45A was a product of Beseler-Minolta with Minolta doing most of the production. The other brands also had the first 3 head styles. The CB-7 was the chassis with power focus, elevation and built-in timer controlled from the front.īeseler made 1) condenser, 2) diffusion, 3) point light as well as the 4) tricolor 45A light heads.

D= Originally came with a Dichroic color head.

T= Turret ready (the newest lens stage & untapered square focusing bellows) These are improved for focussing & more adjustable for alignment.

R= Originally came with Resistrol (an adjustable dimmer for the enlarging lamp).

C= Originally came with condenser head, with filter drawer.

I kept the Durst but added an Omega D2V which I loved, keeping it for more than 20 years and several thousand miles of moves.Īnd advanced, onto the edge electronics enlargers My first enlarger was a small Durst which served me well until I need to make dyes. Significant makes, less found in US, are Durst and DeVere. Kodak also had an 8×10 enlarger mainly sold to dye printers. In the 8×10 size, Elwood was in many dye transfer labs. These are enlargers suited to 4×5, 5×7, 8×10 film. Hardest enlarger sizes to find are sheet film, which were used in many MFA programs and custom print labs. Most common US enlargers were Omega and Beseler. Omega uses SAE hardware which is a plus or minus depending on the tools at your disposal. The things to avoid would be something incomplete or broken. Other companies: Durst, DeVere, Kaiser, LPL, Saltzman, ZBE.Īt the 4×5″ level, all manufacturers were producing durable, long work equipment. Common enlargers in the US were Omega and Beseler. Each enlarger maker solved the problem of holding a piece of film in the light path in few variations. An enlarger is simple complexity.Ī light source, a film carrier, and a lens are the points of the enlarger system. Most darkroom work has been monochrome, black and white (B&W). It is used to make prints from your negative. The enlarger is the central component of a darkroom. Two key machines of photography are the camera and the enlarger.

Beseler 45a manual