Beseler 45MXT

Darkroom check

Light, carriers, bellows and lens

Light source and lamp

Beseler sold the 45MXT chassis with the 45M condenser lamphouse as a separate item (#8121), which holds two 6½ in condensers and a PH212 150 W opal lamp that KHB still stocks. Some come with a color head instead. The Dichro 45S runs a 250 W 82 V quartz lamp, and Beseler's current LED Dichro 45SL fits the 45MXT directly. Ask which head is included, because the chassis alone has no light.

Carriers and condensers

It uses Beseler's 4x5-series carriers, listed for 35mm, slides, 645, 6x6, 6x9, 120 Mamiya, 4x5 sheet film, glass and Polaroid. With the condenser head you set the condensers on a scale beside the upper bellows. KHB says that scale is often lost once a color head is fitted, so check it's there if you plan to use condensers.

Column and bellows

The motorized chassis has a triangular truss with a twin-girder frame, and Beseler's parts list shows the motor, belt, pulleys, gearbox and switch. Focus runs on a straight square lower bellows that it shares with the 45V-XL, and the stages slide on nylon bearings. Ask for a short video of the motor raising and lowering the head and of the focus racked through its range.

Alignment

The stages ride on six nylon slide bearings, and KHB says replacing them needs significant disassembly and a complete realignment. Beseler's alignment tool (#8139) mounts in the lens stage. Ask whether the lens and negative stages read level against the baseboard.

Lens

It takes the same 4x4 in lensboards as the 23C and other Beseler 4x5s. Its lens stage was redesigned for Beseler's 3-lens turret, which takes 39mm lenses from 35mm to 150mm, though some protrude too far and need adapters. Check whether a turret, boards or lenses are included, since the enlarger usually sells without lenses.

Timer and power

The elevation motor runs on mains power, with 117 V and 230 V versions, so check the plate matches your outlets. The motor box has a convenience outlet that Beseler's Dichro 45S manual uses to power the head. The condenser head plugs into a timer, and the LED Dichro 45SL has its own external power supply.

Shipping and pickup

We couldn't find a published weight for the chassis, but the Dichro 45S head alone weighs 6.5 kg and each 6½ in condenser 1.25 kg. Plan on local pickup. If it ships, the head, condensers and column need separate, well-padded boxes.

Should come with it

• A light source (45M condenser lamphouse or a Dichro 45 head)
• Motor control box and power cord
• The condenser position scale, if using condensers
• At least one 4x5-series negative carrier
• A 4x4 in lensboard or the 3-lens turret

Hard to find if missing

• Straight square lower bellows (out of stock new at KHB)
• 3-lens turret
• Under-lens filter holder for the redesigned lens stage
• Condenser position scale

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.