OT: good prices for darkroom equipment?

K

Kyle

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I've been trying to get a darkroom setup for a while, but I don't usually look too hard and when I do I can't seem to find anything worthwhile. I found some stuff that I might be interested in. Darkroom gear seems hard to value, and I'm not experienced enough to know what everything is worth, but how do these prices sound? The enlarger is supposed to show very little wear and works just fine.

Beseler 23CII XL: $150
El-Nikkor 80mm f/5.6: $55
Lens Board for El-Nikkor: $10
Rodenstock Rodagon 50mm f/2.8 $65
Lens Board for Rodagon: $10

Do the prices look OK? I want to do both 35mm and MF prints. What else would I need (larger items, I have small things like trays, easels, etc covered).

Thanks.
 
You will need negative carriers for 35mm and your chioce of medium format film, 645, 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9. I would look for a negatrans for 35mm, this allows you to run strips of 35mm film.

The lens and board prices seem reasonable to me. Can you pick up the 23C locally with out having to pay for freight? The fact that it is an XL model is a benefit. Allows more height for raising the enlarger head so that you may make bigger prints.

If you want to get into printing this seems like a reasonable price.

Of course now the "I got mine for free from my work, dad, school, junk yard (pick one)" posts will crop up and make you feel bad about spending this much.

Wayne
 
The Rodagon is a really ncie lens and prefer it to the the EL-Nikkor which is no slouch, just a bit too sharp and contrasty to my eyes. Good price too I think I paid about the same at the auction site.

You'll need an enlarger timer, like an old analog bullet proof GraLab 300 which are cheap on eBay. I have the digital 450 equivalent but it hasn't been as reliable and doesn't have an outlet for safelight. Maybe you'll want a grain focuser.

Joseph
 
Wayne R. Scott said:
You will need negative carriers for 35mm and your chioce of medium format film, 645, 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9. I would look for a negatrans for 35mm, this allows you to run strips of 35mm film.

The lens and board prices seem reasonable to me. Can you pick up the 23C locally with out having to pay for freight? The fact that it is an XL model is a benefit. Allows more height for raising the enlarger head so that you may make bigger prints.

If you want to get into printing this seems like a reasonable price.

Of course now the "I got mine for free from my work, dad, school, junk yard (pick one)" posts will crop up and make you feel bad about spending this much.

Wayne
Click to expand...

He has negative carriers too. 35mm and 6x6 is all I need, I think they're $20 each, or I'm sure they're easy to find on ebay, right? Are negative carriers enlarger specific?

Anyways, I'd be picking the enlarger up. Its in San Francisco and I'm down here in Southern California, but I'll be up there this weekend for a little trip so I'll just pick it up then.

There's always the people who get lucky find stuff for free or almost free, but I just don't want to pay laughably outrageous prices.

Thanks for the help everyone.
 
As stated, the prices do look OK if everything is in nice shape. Bear in mind, that with the onslaught of digital, there are people out there with darkroom equipment taking up space in their basements that'll give the stuff away if you pay the postage. You might want to post a "WTB" on places such as PNET and see what offers you get. Also, many many schools are throwing their darkroom equipment in the trash, you might be able to contact a larger school district or a small city and ask if anything is available. You could offer a small $ donation to their student council or something along those lines.
 
Actually I DID give my stuff away, pretty good equipment as well, far too good to throw out. Luckily I found a RFF member that wanted it. It is the classic case of if you want to buy it it is hard to find and you will have to pay, but if you want to sell is it is as much use putting it out with the trash as you cannot find anybody that wants to buy it. :mad:
 
prices appear good assuming the gear is in good to excellent condition. Don't forget the grain focuser. You'll also need the plastic thingamagigs to dunk/process your prints.

I wouldn't buy every neg holder out there, only the ones you'll use. But its a good idea to get the enlarging lenses now IMO. Be picky and get the best.

Generally, today prices are great if you use some patience and ferret out the deals. Last year I picked up an Omega D-5 including a chromgatron controller and color head for $160. Brand new on fleebay. Retail the baby cost in excess of $4000.

This IS the time to exploit the low costs. Inkjet is nice, but hand-crafted prints are unique. Try some sellenium toning. WOW.

Enjoy!
 
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Check out the Craigslist website. There are separate classified listings for different cities which will really expand your options since you are willing to travel. I purchased my darkroom setup from someone on Craigslist last year and got a great deal on a really nice enlarger.
 
good prices for darkroom equipment

good prices for darkroom equipment

kyle, my experience with darkroom equipment is that if you go to enough garage sales --and ask for darkroom stuff -- you eventually ought to be able to pick up a Durst or a Besseler or a Simmons for almost nothing...hardly anyone will buy them and people want to get rid of them...I have been offered more than one over the years for free, if I just took them...The only exception is a Leica enlarger; you have to pay for them, although I even picked up a Valoy for $3 and was never able to get my money back. {It didn't have a lens}...

You should buy the lenses, however, so you can get clean ones... But the easel, the dryer, the paper cutter and similar stuff should be very cheap at garage sales...Dealers, of course, will want a lot but -- unless you're in a hurray -- you can get almost all of what you want at rock-bottom prices...regards, bob
 
Thanks for the information everyone! It looks like I'll pass. Mainly because I don't think our schedules will mesh for this weekend. Also, it might be annoying to swing by, pick up an enlarger, store it in the hotel room for two days, then bring it home.
 
That does look like excellent gear, though; pretty much what I have in my darkroom. :) Except instead of the fine Rodagon I have a Leitz Focotar 50mm. Same 80mm Nikkor though, and the 23C... Good stuff.
 
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