Gast
Hello,
I’m looking for a German user manual for a Beseler 45 enlarger and instructions for the accompanying Minolta 45A colour head.
Can anyone help me with this?
MirkoBoeddecker
German user manuals for the 45 MXT cost €15 including postage.
However, this is only the German translation of the original US version, without any pictures.
We inherited this stock from Teufel.
Original US manuals are included with the cameras we sell.
Minolta 45 A: that hasn’t been manufactured for over 10 years.
We were still at school back then...
Sorry, we’ve got none left in stock.
Best regards,
Mirko
FOTOIMPEX
MirkoBoeddecker
... just so we’re clear:
When you buy a new Beseler from us, the US manual AND the German translation are, of course, included.
However, unfortunately we don’t have any EXTRA copies of the original American manuals; we only have them in the German translation, and if you wish to purchase them, they cost €15 including postage and 7% VAT.
Cheers,
Mirko
Urnes
Hi Frank,
Why not just give Minolta a ring and ask to be put through to technical support? You can find Minolta Europe’s number on their website. It can sometimes be a bit of a hassle until you’ve been given the third phone number or put through for the fourth time. But it’s usually worth it. Even if it’s no longer possible to copy and send an old instruction manual, there’s usually still someone who remembers the device and can answer your questions about it. I reckon the chances aren’t too bad, as the repair service for old devices is still maintained as long as spare parts are available. In that respect, ten years isn’t really that long (even if Mirko was still at school back then :-))).
Regards, Sven
MirkoBoeddecker
Sven and Frank,
Beseler developed the Minolta 45 in collaboration with Minolta.
As far as I know, however, it was distributed exclusively through Beseler and, here in Germany, exclusively through Teufel. By the time we took over the Beseler division from Teufel, there was nothing left for the Minolta 45.
So I’m afraid Minolta Germany will probably just shrug their shoulders.
Minolta USA might be more likely to help.
Back in 1997, we sold 20 flash tubes to Teufel GmbH Austria.
That would be my last tip. But I doubt they’ll be able to help either. The market has simply become 100% a second-hand market.
Purchases are very hit-and-miss. The last Beseler technician (before he was made redundant too) told me in 1998, “never buy such a thing”.
All we have left are replacement tubes and a few spare parts from the Teufel grab bag.
The camera was developed and sold almost exclusively for the US Navy because of all the rocking on the ships. They then switched to other methods for aerial reconnaissance as early as the 90s, and that was unfortunately the end of the Minolta 45.
But that’s all just sailor’s yarn....
Regards
Mirko
