Beseler 45MX

Name: Beseler 45MX
Brand: Beseler
Availability: InStock

Beseler's 45M series goes back to 1954, the year after the company came into the darkroom with its 45 Series, and the 45MX belongs to that 4x5 line. Beseler's 45MXII brochure says the series picked up extra height for 16x20 prints on the baseboard and more distortion control as it went, while keeping its rigid chassis and motorized elevation. The condenser lamphouse uses two 6½ in condensers on Beseler's Cone-of-Light principle, so you never swap condensers between formats. You set their height with a scale on the upper bellows instead. It takes the same 4x4 in lensboards as the 23C, which makes moving up from a 23C easy. Parts sellers group the 45MX with the 45M, 45MCRX and 45MX II, which share a tapered lower bellows and lens stage. The later 45MXT changed both. Any of them takes Beseler's Dichro 45 color heads without adapters.

45M (the original 4x5 Beseler of the 1950s)45MX45MCRX45MX II (adds a factory under-lens filter holder)With a 45M condenser lamphouse or a Dichro 45 color head

Spec at a glance

Maker: Beseler
Format: Large format, up to 4x5 in
Stock head: Condenser
Takes: 35mm up to 4x5 in, with Beseler's 4x5-series carriers
Light source: 45M condenser lamphouse, two 6½ in condensers; Dichro 45 heads fit
Lamp: PH212 150 W 120 V opal (Beseler #8100)
Lens mount: 4x4 in Beseler lensboards, same as the 23C
Bellows: Tapered lower bellows for focus, square upper bellows for the condensers
Also listed as: 45MX, 45 MX, 45MX II, 45MXII, 45MX-II
Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026): $2,575–$2,600

Darkroom check

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

Light source and lamp: The 45M condenser lamphouse holds two 6½ in glass condensers, a drawer for 6½ in filters and a PH212 150 W opal lamp, a standard lamp KHB Photografix still stocks. KHB recommends the 6 in heat-absorbing glass (#8077) because the 150 W lamp runs hot. Beseler's Dichro 45 color heads fit any 45M-series enlarger and use a 250 W 82 V quartz lamp (#8108). Ask which head it has and for a photo of it lit.
Carriers and condensers: Beseler's 4x5-series carriers cover 35mm, slides, 645, 6x6, 6x9, 120 Mamiya, 4x5 sheet film, glass and Polaroid. The condensers stay in place for every format, and you set them with a scale on the right side of the upper bellows. KHB says that scale is often removed and lost when a color head was fitted, so check it's there.
Column and bellows: Focus runs on a tapered lower bellows and the condensers ride on a square upper bellows, all sliding on nylon bearings. Beseler's 45MXII brochure lists motorized elevation as a long-standing 45M-series feature. Ask the seller to run the head up and down and to rack the focus through its range, and to say if anything binds.
Alignment: The stages slide on six nylon bearings, and KHB says replacing them means taking much of the enlarger apart and realigning it. Beseler's alignment tool (#8139) mounts in the lens stage of its 4x5 enlargers. Ask whether the lens stage and negative stage are level with the baseboard.
Lens: It takes the same 4x4 in lensboards as the 23C, threaded 39mm or drilled, so 23C boards and lenses move straight across. You'll want a longer lens for 4x5, and Beseler's chart puts a 135mm with that format. The 3-lens turret is for the 45MXT and 45V-XL only, and a lens usually isn't included.
Timer and power: The condenser head plugs into an enlarging timer, and the elevation motor needs mains power too. A Dichro 45S head has its stabilized supply built in, with one cord for mains and one for the timer. Ask for every cable and control box that belongs to the head and the motor.
Shipping and pickup: We couldn't find a published weight, but it's a full 4x5 enlarger, and KHB lists each 6½ in condenser at 1.25 kg on its own. Local pickup is the realistic way to buy one. If it ships, the condensers and head need their own padded box.

Should come with it

45M condenser lamphouse with both condensers, or a Dichro 45 head
The condenser position scale on the upper bellows
At least one 4x5-series negative carrier
A 4x4 in lensboard
Power cords for the head and motor

Hard to find if missing

Tapered lower bellows (out of stock new at KHB)
Condenser position scale, often lost when a color head was fitted
Nylon slide bearings
4x5 glass and sheet-film carriers

Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing carrier, condenser or lens board should come off the price.

What to check

KHB Photografix says the condenser position scale is usually removed when a color head goes on, so it often gets lost, and sometimes it's broken off. The nylon slide bearings wear, and replacing them means taking much of the enlarger apart and realigning it.

01Head: Check the photos for the 45M condenser lamphouse or a Dichro 45 head. Know which you're getting, since they take different lamps.
02Condensers: Ask for a photo of both 6½ in condensers out of the head. They should be clear, with no chips or cracks.
03Condenser scale: Look for the format scale on the right side of the upper bellows. It's often missing when a color head was fitted.
04Carriers: Check which 4x5-series carriers are included. A 4x5 carrier plus one for your roll film is a good start.
05Bellows: Ask for photos of both bellows fully extended. The folds should be whole, with no tears or cracks.
06Elevation: Ask the seller to run the head up and down its full travel. It should move smoothly and stop where it's set.
07Focus: Ask the seller to rack the focus from end to end. It should move evenly without binding or play.
08Lens and board: Check whether a lens and 4x4 in lensboard come with it. For 4x5 you'll need a lens around 135mm or longer.
09Pickup: Plan to collect it in person. If the seller ships, the condensers must travel in their own padded box.

New to used enlargers? How to check a used enlarger covers the bellows, the column, the lamp and alignment, and moving a big enlarger covers freight, pickup and taking the column apart.

Buying guide

Which one to buy

§ Oct 15, 2026

With only 2 complete 45MX-series enlargers for sale, there's no band to read, since every other 45MX listing was a bellows, negative stage, gear kit or lamp. The cheaper is a 45MX II with a Dichro 45 color head at $1,250 with no shipping quoted, and the other a 45MCRX titled tested at $2,576 with free shipping, which spares you arranging freight on a full 4x5 enlarger. Ask for photos of both bellows and of the head lit, and check which 4x5-series carriers come with it. Neither title names a lens, and for 4x5 you'll want one around 135mm on a 4x4 in Beseler board, the same board the 23C uses.

Listed now: 2
For parts: 0
Typical ask: $2,575–$2,600
Full range: $1,250–$2,576

Cheapest
$1,250.00+ ship
The lower of the two asks, a 45MX II with a Dichro 45 color head for $1,250, and the photo shows carriers laid out on the baseboard. No shipping is quoted on a full 4x5 enlarger, so plan on pickup or ask for a freight quote with the head boxed apart from the column.
beseler dichro 45mx II system
View on eBay ↗: beseler dichro 45mx II system$1,250.00 plus shipping (not stated)
Easiest to get working
$2,575.95delivered
The only one titled tested, a 45MCRX said to run smooth, with free shipping from a 99.9% seller. It asks about twice the other one, and the title names no carriers or lens, so ask what's included before you pay.
Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth
View on eBay ↗: Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth$2,575.95 delivered

Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.

Snapshot

For sale on eBay

2 of 2 listed

Checked Oct 15, 2026. Some may have sold.

Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.

Used
- Cheapest
beseler dichro 45mx II system
$1,250.00+ shipping
$1,250.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$1,250.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Dichro 45 color head, and the photo shows carriers on the baseboard. No shipping quoted; pickup or ask.
Seller: 11znogor
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: beseler dichro 45mx II system
Used
- Easiest to get working
Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth
$2,575.95delivered
$2,575.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,575.95
Good buy
Titled tested and smooth, free shipping. No carriers or lens named.
Seller: recycledphotolistings
99.9% positive
View on eBay ↗: Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth

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Brand

Format

Light

Read

Beseler 45MX

45M (the original 4x5 Beseler of the 1950s)45MX45MCRX45MX II (adds a factory under-lens filter holder)With a 45M condenser lamphouse or a Dichro 45 color head

Spec at a glance

Maker

Beseler

Format

Large format, up to 4x5 in

Stock head

Condenser

Takes

35mm up to 4x5 in, with Beseler's 4x5-series carriers

Light source

45M condenser lamphouse, two 6½ in condensers; Dichro 45 heads fit

Lamp

PH212 150 W 120 V opal (Beseler #8100)

Lens mount

4x4 in Beseler lensboards, same as the 23C

Bellows

Tapered lower bellows for focus, square upper bellows for the condensers

Also listed as

45MX, 45 MX, 45MX II, 45MXII, 45MX-II

Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026)

$2,575–$2,600

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

Light source and lamp

The 45M condenser lamphouse holds two 6½ in glass condensers, a drawer for 6½ in filters and a PH212 150 W opal lamp, a standard lamp KHB Photografix still stocks. KHB recommends the 6 in heat-absorbing glass (#8077) because the 150 W lamp runs hot. Beseler's Dichro 45 color heads fit any 45M-series enlarger and use a 250 W 82 V quartz lamp (#8108). Ask which head it has and for a photo of it lit.

Carriers and condensers

Beseler's 4x5-series carriers cover 35mm, slides, 645, 6x6, 6x9, 120 Mamiya, 4x5 sheet film, glass and Polaroid. The condensers stay in place for every format, and you set them with a scale on the right side of the upper bellows. KHB says that scale is often removed and lost when a color head was fitted, so check it's there.

Column and bellows

Focus runs on a tapered lower bellows and the condensers ride on a square upper bellows, all sliding on nylon bearings. Beseler's 45MXII brochure lists motorized elevation as a long-standing 45M-series feature. Ask the seller to run the head up and down and to rack the focus through its range, and to say if anything binds.

Alignment

The stages slide on six nylon bearings, and KHB says replacing them means taking much of the enlarger apart and realigning it. Beseler's alignment tool (#8139) mounts in the lens stage of its 4x5 enlargers. Ask whether the lens stage and negative stage are level with the baseboard.

Lens

It takes the same 4x4 in lensboards as the 23C, threaded 39mm or drilled, so 23C boards and lenses move straight across. You'll want a longer lens for 4x5, and Beseler's chart puts a 135mm with that format. The 3-lens turret is for the 45MXT and 45V-XL only, and a lens usually isn't included.

Timer and power

The condenser head plugs into an enlarging timer, and the elevation motor needs mains power too. A Dichro 45S head has its stabilized supply built in, with one cord for mains and one for the timer. Ask for every cable and control box that belongs to the head and the motor.

Shipping and pickup

We couldn't find a published weight, but it's a full 4x5 enlarger, and KHB lists each 6½ in condenser at 1.25 kg on its own. Local pickup is the realistic way to buy one. If it ships, the condensers and head need their own padded box.

Should come with it

45M condenser lamphouse with both condensers, or a Dichro 45 head

The condenser position scale on the upper bellows

At least one 4x5-series negative carrier

A 4x4 in lensboard

Power cords for the head and motor

Hard to find if missing

Tapered lower bellows (out of stock new at KHB)

Condenser position scale, often lost when a color head was fitted

Nylon slide bearings

4x5 glass and sheet-film carriers

Check the listing photos against these lists, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing carrier, condenser or lens board should come off the price.

What to check

01Head: Check the photos for the 45M condenser lamphouse or a Dichro 45 head. Know which you're getting, since they take different lamps.

02Condensers: Ask for a photo of both 6½ in condensers out of the head. They should be clear, with no chips or cracks.

03Condenser scale: Look for the format scale on the right side of the upper bellows. It's often missing when a color head was fitted.

04Carriers: Check which 4x5-series carriers are included. A 4x5 carrier plus one for your roll film is a good start.

05Bellows: Ask for photos of both bellows fully extended. The folds should be whole, with no tears or cracks.

06Elevation: Ask the seller to run the head up and down its full travel. It should move smoothly and stop where it's set.

07Focus: Ask the seller to rack the focus from end to end. It should move evenly without binding or play.

08Lens and board: Check whether a lens and 4x4 in lensboard come with it. For 4x5 you'll need a lens around 135mm or longer.

09Pickup: Plan to collect it in person. If the seller ships, the condensers must travel in their own padded box.

New to used enlargers? How to check a used enlarger covers the bellows, the column, the lamp and alignment, and moving a big enlarger covers freight, pickup and taking the column apart.

Beseler 45MX

Spec at a glance

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

beseler dichro 45mx II system

Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth

Compare with

Beseler 45MXT

Beseler 23C II

Omega D5

Durst M707

Keep exploring

Beseler 45MX

Spec at a glance

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

beseler dichro 45mx II system

Beseler 45MCRX 4x5 Enlarger, Great condition, Tested, Smooth

Compare with

Beseler 45MXT

Beseler 23C II

Omega D5

Durst M707

Keep exploring