I've been offered a Konica 808J mini lab printer. Sadly the film processor has already met a date with the local scrapper. But the paper processor and printer is intact and has been offered to me for free (gratis). All I have to do is pick it up. Below is the text of the email I received:
Can any of you please give me some advice about whether this is going to be worth the effort to collect and store it? I don't have a darkroom, yet, maybe next year, (I have to stop buying Rolleis, first to be able to afford to set one up).
I notice it can do 35mm & 120 so that's a start, because although large format isn't out of the question at some point, 35mm & 120 are my current film formats. I'm not into colour neg in a big way, though. Apart from the trolley full of discount 35mm Kodak and Fuji 400 neg I got for a song last year (which is snapshot stuff for me), nearly everything I do is either black and white or transparency. I can't remember the last time I loaded a roll of 120 C41 into a camera.
The idea of using this to print black and white at home has some appeal, if the results are likely to be reasonable. But only if the costs of setting it up and running it won't be excessive. But I know almost nothing about paper processing and printing. Help, please!
Regards,
Brett
"I have a Konica 801 (aka 808) printer processor to give away. The film processor unit went to the tip with the switch to digital. The following link will give you an idea of what we are talking about: http://www.matecomputer.cz/speckonica808.htm
This machine was in perfect working order and I had to decommission it with changing circumstances (i.e. digital). It is setup to run print and develop colour, has previously been used to to print BW multicontrast roll paper. The processor could be run independently of the printer and used to develop and dry BW photos. Comes with a $5000 zoom lens and some fixed lenses. Has a cropping mask for 35mm.
Not sure if it is any good to you or someone else who handles film?
Prefer to give away than take to tip. It is on wheels and can be man handled by 2 or 3 people."
Unfortunately I know next to nothing about paper development or printing (I started developing my own B&W a year ago and that's going well).This machine was in perfect working order and I had to decommission it with changing circumstances (i.e. digital). It is setup to run print and develop colour, has previously been used to to print BW multicontrast roll paper. The processor could be run independently of the printer and used to develop and dry BW photos. Comes with a $5000 zoom lens and some fixed lenses. Has a cropping mask for 35mm.
Not sure if it is any good to you or someone else who handles film?
Prefer to give away than take to tip. It is on wheels and can be man handled by 2 or 3 people."
Can any of you please give me some advice about whether this is going to be worth the effort to collect and store it? I don't have a darkroom, yet, maybe next year, (I have to stop buying Rolleis, first to be able to afford to set one up).
I notice it can do 35mm & 120 so that's a start, because although large format isn't out of the question at some point, 35mm & 120 are my current film formats. I'm not into colour neg in a big way, though. Apart from the trolley full of discount 35mm Kodak and Fuji 400 neg I got for a song last year (which is snapshot stuff for me), nearly everything I do is either black and white or transparency. I can't remember the last time I loaded a roll of 120 C41 into a camera.
The idea of using this to print black and white at home has some appeal, if the results are likely to be reasonable. But only if the costs of setting it up and running it won't be excessive. But I know almost nothing about paper processing and printing. Help, please!
Regards,
Brett
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Brett, unless the seller (giver) is willing to give you a crash course on how to produce a print, I'd skip.
Getting an ordinary enlarger makes more sense especially when you start.
Getting an ordinary enlarger makes more sense especially when you start.
Thanks Will, I'd certainly be in over my head, but wasn't sure if it was too good an offer to pass up anyway. Much appreciated!
Regards,
Brett
Regards,
Brett
Derwent
Member
Thanks for putting me in touch with this guy Brett, even if I never get it running it will be fun to play with and at my place it won't go for scrap....
Picking it up after new year...I. Can go with the Fuji FP230 film processor I picked up as a freebie the other day....
Whether I'll ever get them up and running is another thing, but cool toys for a magpie like me!
Picking it up after new year...I. Can go with the Fuji FP230 film processor I picked up as a freebie the other day....
Whether I'll ever get them up and running is another thing, but cool toys for a magpie like me!