San Francisco/Miami members, maybe you can help me?

[Leica All Day]

Hello everybody, I am going to be visiting San Francisco and Miami for 2 weeks over the holiday break, and i plan on purchasing an enlarger and some reels and tanks and shipping/carrying them back with me to Bangkok. I went to some stores here in Bangkok and saw what they have available in terms of enlargers and darkroom equipment (chemicals, reels, tanks, etc...) and I have decided to purchase my stuff back in the states (S.F. and/or Miami). I have been looking on craigslist and evilbay for local sales because I think I would like to look at/check out the enlarger if possible....My question to you guys is, can you recommend any stores that you know of that have used enlargers....or perhaps you know somebody who is selling one...I still haven't decided on an enlarger as of yet, and I am open to suggestions....I would like to be able to print 35mm and 6x6.....thanks for taking the time out to read this......cheers, michael

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

There are a few places in the SF bay area that sells enlargers. The big store on the peninsula is Keeble & Shuchat, the darkroom section is upstairs and the staff there are very friendly. They sell all sorts of enlargers and some equipment too.

There is another seller of darkroom equipment, hes usually at the local camera swap meets selling everything darkroom related. If your visit happens to overlap one of the camera shows you might be able to get ahold of him.

 

[35mmdelux]

Hi Micheal:
Saunders LPL 670 handles 35mm-6x7 format. Not expensive but solid, got my used model for $99. Breaks down compact. Originally these cost $700 (mid 1990s). You will need to decide what brand/model you want since price and weight vary. I down-sized from a 4x5 Omega D2. If you buy at retail you will pay top dollar, especially at K&S Palo Alto.
MidWest Camera is pretty well known for being fair and I think they deal in enlargers. Freestyle Hollywood is another place to check.
Best --Paul

 

[PMCC]

You can get reels and tanks new at Calumet SF, Gasser's SF or K&S Palo Alto. If you opt for stainless, look for Hewes brand tabbed reels, and Kindermann tops for the tanks. Given your limited time it may be worth it to buy these small budget items new rather than blow your vacation time scouring the earth checking out used gear. K&S wll have used enlargers, at a price, as the last poster said, but they check them out and I reckon they will pack and ship for you too. You're paying for the service. But then you're done, yippee. I would buy enlarging lenses used -- it's easy to score great enlarging lenses cheap on Ebay without much worry, and have the seller ship home for you. Do you want to lug all this stuff across America? If you want to visit K&S, call ahead and talk to Celek in the darkroom department to ask what's on hand.

 

[MikeL]

Hey Michael,
I was at your old stomping grounds (Looking glass) Monday, and they had plenty of stainless reels and tanks. I didn't see an enlarger, but I know they sometimes have stuff in back. I'd give them a call. I'll check with a local place that gets stuff in occasionally.

 

[tbm]

Re "Saunders LPL 670 handles 35mm-6x7 format", I bought the 670 MXL dichroic enlarger about five years ago in order to get rid of my Saunders condensor's dust problem and it has been awesome, especially in combination with my RH Designs StopClock Professional timer and its outstanding f-stop printing feature. With the latter, I can easily minutely adust and fine-tune exposures! I'm in heaven!

 

[Al Kaplan]

The Miami area seems to be a digital town these days. The only place left at the north end of the county, north of downtown Miami, is World Wide Photo and I've seen used enlargers there. I haven't been south of downtown in years. Dale Labs up in the Hollywood area is a Leica dealer and might have something, or suggestions on where to look. Email me when you have a firm date for your Miami visit. I'm about half way between downtown Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, perhaps a dozen miles from either one.
preacherpop@aol.com and I'll send you my phone number, maybe meet up for a cup of coffee while you're in town.

 

[Leica All Day]

Hello everybody....thanks for the information, I am going to call Keeble and Shuchat and see what they have before I make the trip down there ....I am also going to continue searching craigslist and hope something turns up... I am also going to be in Miami for a week and as much as I would prefer picking up an enlarger in S.F., if something comes up in Miami, then so be it....I figure if nothing comes up before I have to leave the states, then I will just head down to K&S and pay their prices, no problem, I am willing to pay for quality....as far as reels and tanks go, probably Looking Glass or Calumet ...Hey MikeL, are we still on for Sunday? I hope so.....thanks again for the info....cheers, michael

 

[BTMarcais]

michael- we do have enlargers for sale at looking glass... but no used ones right now. (MikeL's right, they're all hidden in the back.) I don't know the prices/inventory off the top of my head...but I can check when I'm in on saturday. We've got a decent amount of darkroom equip...but not much used, so not necessarily at the prices you're going to want.
-Brian

ps- if you come in on a wed or sat, introduce yourself...I'll be around somewhere.

 

[Leica All Day]

Thanks everybody for the responses...Al, I will be in Miami from the 23rd till the 31st, I wil send you an email and maybe we can hook up...I went to World Wide Photo about 3 years ago and I remember that they had some equipment, so I am going to go check it out as well.....
Hello Brian, I called Looking Glass yesterday to ask about Domke bags...I also asked about John, but I guess he is not the owner any more...I used to work there 10 years ago when Peter was the manager, I have very good memories of that place (I bought my Hasselblad while I was working there)....anyways, I am going to go by and check out some stuff on Sunday....unfortunately, I wont be in town on a Wednesday or a Saturday (I think)....cheers, michael