The beast!!!

Brad Bireley

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Mar 10, 2006
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I'm picking the "BEAST" up this Thursday! Got it for FREE!!
Received this email yesterday!

"We have a piece of Photographic equipment that we are hoping to get rid of, but we don’t want to place it on the curb for the trash. I did a Google search for Pennsylvania Photographers, and PPA of PA was the first link. In the old days, we did a lot of photo work, but with the advent of digital, and the retirement and passing of faculty members, these items are no longer used. In particular, we have a Durst Laborator 138 s , with 6 various lenses. I am at the point that I am willing to give it away. If someone wanted to come and pick it up, it is theirs. I figured that with your contacts through the PPA of PA, that you might know of someone somewhere that is looking for a device like this.

Based on the research that I have done on eBay, the lenses alone are worth hundreds of dollars….so I imagine that it would be useful. It is in good condition, just a bit dusty, otherwise it is in complete working condition. It also has the automatic up and down drive system, as well as a Kodak device attached that helps run it. "


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Nice! From the negative carrier on the table I'm assuming that it prints from at least 4x5, no?

Good luck starting up your darkroom; there are scores of people here willing to help you.
 
erikhaugsby said:
Nice! From the negative carrier on the table I'm assuming that it prints from at least 4x5, no?

Good luck starting up your darkroom; there are scores of people here willing to help you.


It will print up to a 5x7 neg! I have a Burke & James 4x5 press. So this will work just great! I have my fingers crossed that when I pick it up they say You might as well take the rest of this darkroom stuff!
 
Even if they don't mention the "other stuff" you should ask if there is any more "stuff" that they might want to get rid of...
Sweet Deal !!!!!
 
nikon_sam said:
Even if they don't mention the "other stuff" you should ask if there is any more "stuff" that they might want to get rid of...
Sweet Deal !!!!!


Maybe like a freezer full of Agaf APX 25!!!!
 
cue the old man chained to the wall in Monty Python's "Life of Brian":

"Oh you lucky *******!"
 
Great enlarger and even better deal. I purchased a used one a couple of years ago to print 5x7's and paid $1,000 for it with a full set of condensors. $1,000 was a great deal at the time since these new were around $20,000 if i remember correctly. I might be wrong on price but they were extremely high. I print some 120 and all of my 4x5 and 5x7 on it. it's hard to use with 35mm but if you have the time you can do it.

Your carrier is worth $200 to $400 dollars depending on condition and condensors go for $200 to $300 each. I hope you have proper glass for the carrier. I had to purchase glass and the proper glass is optical glass coated like a lens. I found a source for $75 per piece which was a deal. Without the coating newton rings are a big big problem. Original bulbs are nearly impossible to find but I have a source for a very good replacement if you need them. New original will run about $100 + each and the replacement is around $15 dollars.

Just PM me if I can be of help with anything.

Enjoy your machine!

By the way, if you haven't moved it yet it's not a big deal. The upper segment of the enlarger post seperates from the second. There'a a screw that needs to be loosened and the second segment comes out of the base. Two people make it easier because it's a little clumsy to move but one good size guy can do it.
 
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wow, i wish i lived in pennsylvania. i've been looking for a reasonably complete 138s setup nearby. that is one freaking awesome enlarger!
 
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