Help to assess value - used darkroom equip

[mphilpott]

Hi All - I just saw this ad on Craigslist and I am tempted to plead with the better half to spend the $. Before "leaping" I'd like some feedback about whether this is a good deal - I'm not in a terrible rush and can wait.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/for/61913655.html

1 - Beseler 23C II B&W Enlarger with 50mm 3.5 lens, 35mm neg carrier, 1/4 inch glass for contact sheets. This was my darkroom enlarger when I worked at a weekly newspaper 10 years ago. I bought it when they went digital with the hopes of setting up a personal wet darkroom, but I have faced the fact that I just won't have room for it for a few more years and need to let it go. It has been in storage for quite some time and has a little rust on it, but should clean up fine. Includes a digital timer with density control.

2 - Beseler Universal 14 Easel, 11x14 inch sliding blade easel that allows you to put a border anywhere you want or not have one at all. This was the top of the line 10 years ago and cost $350 new.

1 - Box of odds and ends, chemical bottles, apron, etc.

1- Bag of a mix of expired 35mm color and B&W film I was given by the lab I work for that's been stored in my refrigerator. I can't spare the room in there anymore and it's got to go. Appx. 50 rolls.

I'm selling all to a lucky buyer for only $150 because I just have no space for them anymore and my husband is tired of looking at them. I'll also throw in a box of Ilford 11x14 Deluxe Pearl finish fiberbase paper that I only used about 10 sheets out of 50. Hopefully it's still good because Ilford doesn't make this paper anymore. Shame because it has beautiful blue/gray tones. Also, if I can locate them, I'll throw in a couple of B&W developer tanks and steel reels.

 

[mphilpott]

Actually I'm tempted to bid $20 for this one...Ebay Item # 3877880468

Wall mounted Stat Camera - needs 91 inches of height!! Anyone know if it can be set on the floor 😀 ?

Seriously though - anyone know information about this type of enlarger?

 

[back alley]

i have that enlarger, it works great. it's on the big side.
what lens? that's the key element for any darkroom.
the expired film is a crap shoot.

150 isn't bad for that stuff but the pic of it shows what looks like some rough use or rough storage.
i'm guessing for the same or better money you could get something in better shape.

if you really want, offer 100 bucks and be firm.

joe

 

[rover]

I wish I had a place to set up a dark room. My father has an enlarger up in his attic going to waste.

I am pretty set on scanning my negatives though and making my prints, or images, dry.

 

[back alley]

do you scan your own stuff now ralph?

i'll soon be starting...

joe

 

[rover]

Yes I do. I am thinking of getting a dedicated film scanner, but that will require a little hardware upgrade on my computer. I will add a USB II hub which will give me more room for input thingies. If I do so I will have to enlist the services of one of my friends to make sure everything gets plugged into the right places. I am OK with my computer literacy, but that may be a little bit more than I can do confidently.

Besides, for a meal and a bottle of wine I can get these guys to do almost anything.

 

[back alley]

i know what you mean, i have a buddy who is a agri scientist for the government and is very good with computers.
he is my go to guy when it comes to this stuff.

i just traded gene my oly for his scanner. it needs a scsi card and my buddy is at the ready with a handful of cards and will help with the install.
the scanner is an older model but should be good to learn on and after buying gene's digital canon, i'm guessing it will look like new.

i'm thinking i just might sell the bessa kit and put that $$ towards a newer scanner later on.

a new adventure begins...
joe

 

[peter_n]

Ralph if you get a Minolta SD IV don't plug it in through a USB hub, it doesn't like it. BTW I highly recommend that scanner if you are doing B&W 35mm only. If you will be scanning color you would probably need the Vuescan software which (I believe) has ICE capability.

 

[rover]

So, Peter, if I was to cook a nice Italian meal, and broke out a bottle of my home made wine....

When is the last time you were in Connecticut? 😀

This is an idea in the very early planning stages for me. I am watching the prices of the Minolta 5400 hoping for a close out sale, or I am guessing the impoved replacement will be offered at the same price point. Who knows.

 

[peter_n]

LOL! The 5400 was upgraded recently - faster scanning - may be worth it too. I do lean toward the Minoltas vs the Nikons since my focus is B&W - I hardly shoot any color. From what I have read if you do mostly B&W Minolta is the preferred choice and Nikon is better with color, but its probably wise to keep a sharp eye on the latest releases because things change all the time. I'm glad I'm not into digital cameras - don't have the time to keep up with everything! 😉 Oops - should stop posting this stuff - not on topic - sorry! 🙁

 

[digitalox]

I have that enlarger too - its pretty good, but I have a Nikor on mine. Now, I have seen three or four other Beseler 23C II around town for sale, and the weird thing is none look exactly like. All of them have been a little bit different. So its hard to say how this one will be. If the enlarger and lens are in good shape, I think its a fair deal. But the shipping will bump it up a lot!

 

[peter_n]

Hi All - I just saw this ad on Craigslist and I am tempted to plead with the better half to spend the $. Before "leaping" I'd like some feedback about whether this is a good deal - I'm not in a terrible rush and can wait.

As Joe says, the lens is key so what exactly is that lens? You can get virtually NIB 50mm EL-Nikkors on eBay for $50-60, an enlarger frame should cost around the same so I don't think this is a bargain.

FWIW I bought (separately) an Omega B-22XL for $50 and a Leitz 50mm Focotar for $127 in January. Add $40 for total shipping and that's $217 - not a bargain either but it is exactly the rig I wanted.

 

[Doug]

The basic enlarger is excellent; I bought my Beseler 23C new in 1966, and I've been happy with it. It handles up to 6x9cm images; 2.25x3.25 inches, thus the "23" name. It was made and marketed for so many years there are lots of compatible accessories, such as dichroic heads, etc. $350 for the Beseler easel doesn't sound right, but then I got mine so long ago...

So, this is excellent equipment, with (as ofthers mentioned) a question about the lens. Well, that's easy to replace if you wish! Indeed I've even used a 35mm Summicron at f/8 to make large enlargements from half-frame negs, so there's lots of possibilities.

A quick scan of completed auctions on eBay shows $150 is in the ballpark for what they're selling for now...