Hello, new here.

Have a very clean Beseler 45MX unit for sale near me for $500. No lenses, but I have lenses for my Omega DII (which would become a backup) and my old Leitz Valoy II (great rig).

I want a color head, but I can use filters for awhile to get the hang of color (never did color work before). I like the way the Beseler works etc., but is it worth $500 with no lenses, lense boards, other condensers etc.?

BTW, see my post in the lounge - Lounge Post (http://www.apug.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9052)

JD, the price seems a little high to me would expect it to be about 1/2 of that. Check around, I bet you can find a better price.

And welcome to APUG!

Good Afternoon, JD,

Mike is right: the price is definitely high in today's market. On the other hand, there's something to be said for being able to inspect it in person and avoiding shipping costs (and possible damage). Maybe you could bargain it down somewhat.

Konical

It seems way high. Haved you checked Ebay's completed? Btw, I have a color head that will fit it for a real good price.

Been watching eBay. No luck yet.

The unit I looked at was clean like new, but it is from what used to be my favorite shop around -- he was the only one around where you could go and find REAL cameras and equipment -- now he has sold his soul to Disco.

Can't trade him the DII, now he won't take any film based trades unless it's free to him and then sells for good profit to folks like us and uses eBay. Uses the proceeds to push more Disco.

So, I don't need to buy it. I'd rather find one from a fellow filmaholic if possible. Boycott Disco and it's evil disciples! ;)

Hi,

Not sure if you purchased that or not at this point, but there is one down here in the Bay Area, CA for $225 including other darkroom equipment. It is on Craigslist and the link is: http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/for/45867613.html

Hi,

Not sure if you purchased that or not at this point, but there is one down here in the Bay Area, CA for $225 including other darkroom equipment. It is on Craigslist and the link is: http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/for/45867613.html

Thanks. But I did pick up another Beseler 45 kit with all three heads (normal, color & cold) plus three good lenses, neg carriers and other stuff for $390.00 about a week ago. Now my tiny 14x14 ft. darkroom has three enlargers in it. I might have to move my napping beanbag out of there soon!

It seems way high. Haved you checked Ebay's completed? Btw, I have a color head that will fit it for a real good price.

What head is it? I've got a Dichro 45 computerized with a bad transformer, I believe. Haven't found the part yet.

What head is it? I've got a Dichro 45 computerized with a bad transformer, I believe. Haven't found the part yet.
I have one too. It seems there is a circuit board in those things that was designed to crap out and there is no replacement. There was a fellow who was designing a replacement board, Richard Davies, but I haven't heard anything from him in a long time. ADRIANANDJILL@worldnet.att.net is the last email address I had on him. He may have something by now.

I have one too. It seems there is a circuit board in those things that was designed to crap out and there is no replacement. There was a fellow who was designing a replacement board, Richard Davies, but I haven't heard anything from him in a long time. ADRIANANDJILL@worldnet.att.net is the last email address I had on him. He may have something by now.

Ahhh.... funny you mention that, I was just reading something on that here:
http://www.baytronltd.com/products.html

My head powers up and the LEDs come on but no lamp. Lamp is new and tested with ohm meter is not open. I read about 54 volts at one lamp connection (amps unknown). Not an electronic geek and hammers, duct tape and mech. wire do not seem to impart satisfactory results with these beasts! :mad:

Thanks, but I guess you didn't notice this thread was resurrected from page 3 and a few posts back you can see I already acquired one. Got everything I needed and then some for $390. Only dilemma is the lamp wont work on the color head (got standard head, cold head and dichro with it). I knew from the description that the color head had this problem, now I'm just tryin' figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.

Davies mentioned there was a workaround mod that can be done by commanding the lamp directly from the INPUT to the microprocessor, instead of from the OUTPUT, The microprocessor still controls the display, but does not control the lamp anymore, so that when it screws up, at least you do not lose the print that you are currently working on.

What this means I really can't say as I've never opened the head up to check out the board. If you find a techie willing to work on it this may be the way to go.

Davies mentioned there was a workaround mod that can be done by commanding the lamp directly from the INPUT to the microprocessor, instead of from the OUTPUT, The microprocessor still controls the display, but does not control the lamp anymore, so that when it screws up, at least you do not lose the print that you are currently working on.

What this means I really can't say as I've never opened the head up to check out the board. If you find a techie willing to work on it this may be the way to go.

Email from Davies this afternoon:
-----------------------------
No, it isn't the transformer. I fear that it may be a
part that is now obsolete The lamp voltage is controlled to 82v so as to
buffer the lamp from variations in the line [ac] voltage. However, part of
this control circuit uses an unusual type of opto isolator [more unusual
now, since they don't make it anymore] which consists of an incandescent
light source instead of an LED. I have been experimenting with repairing
this device, peeling the aluminum can open, and replacing the llight bulb
part with the closest that I can find to it, but have been only partially
successful
If the above is the problem, then probably the best
course of action is to modify the circuit so that it puts out a voltage
close to the line voltage, and put in a 120v lamp. This, in theory, would
give you some variation in your prints due to changes in line voltage, but
in practice you would probably be ok.
Having said all of the above, it is of course possible
that the obsolete component is not the problem, could be something else. But
if you have a multimeter, and can take the end board out of the unit, then
e mail me again and I will tell you how to test it.
If you want info on this unit you need to call
Beseler, ask for parts and then ask for Steve McFadden. I believe that he
could send you a schematic, since Beseler no longer supports the 45.
While you are at it...........ask him to send me one
too, because mine is falling apart.............regards...........a
--------------------------

What I'm wondering now is -- if the rest of the circuit operates fine without the sensor mentioned by Davies, why not just add a separate stabilized 82v transformer just to run the lamp?

I'm gonna test that, but I don't know the integrity of the rest of this head's circuit either so if it doesn't work for me it doesn't necessarily mean it wouldn't on another head.

I have the unit apart again and am waiting for him to email the board test procedures and values.