A tale of woe (or what happens to those old studios)

[epatsellis]

Well, I picked up a couple of enlargers this past weekend, and I've a sad story to tell...

Seems this guy bought a building that had a rather nice commercial studio/darkroom in it, totally full of 'stuff' (his words). So he rents a 30 yd dumpster and carts everything carryable into it. He told me it was overflowing. The only thing left were a couple of enlargers (10x10 devere and an 8x10 Elwood) and a copy camera (with a 16 1/2" artar apo, which I got). According to this guy there was tons of cameras (old style, with bellows (sic.), boxes and boxes of lenses, I found an 8x10 darkslide (seems he said there were boxes of big black things those went into, aaargh), unfortunately, there were tons of condensors for the devere and they got tossed, so I only have a 4x5 condensor (though I do have the 2 monster 14" square ones), that's ok, because I'm converting it to a homemade cold light head(10mm cool white neon tube a la. arista (but much cheaper)). I asked if the dumpster was still there, hell I'm not that proud..(missed it by a week, and almost wanted to ask where it went to).

I guess on the bright side, I scored 2 enlargers, a decent barrel lens, a brand new 48" x way bigger than I'll probably ever use roll of ilford multigrade and I'm getting about 400+ lbs of raw chemicals. not bad for a $1 ebay purchase.

erie patsellis

 

[bill schwab]

For several years I worked as the photographer for the city I was living in. While there I was given the chance to design and supply a brand new studio and darkroom. I was told that very little from the old studio would be used and all would be sold-off. One day I went to visit the old building and found a dumpster out back. It was full to the top with all the old gear!

I salvaged 2 Omega D-2 enlargers with cold light heads, lenses, an old Hasselblad 500 CM (still have that one). Several old Speed Graphics, a couple drum washers, etc, etc. Much more still was already trashed and no good due to poor handling. It was enough to make you ill. You think they could have donated it to a school somewhere. (This was way befgore digital)

Anyway... I was able to sell and trade-off what was left and did pretty well with all their "junk".

 

[BradS]

Geez, not yet 10:00 am and my stomach is turning. I think I'm gonna puke!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Reminds me of a story I read from the bass trombonist in the Boston Symphony, who noticed an instrument case on top of a dumpster used by contractors who were renovating an attic in Symphony Hall. He opened it up and found a 1930s Conn baritone horn in beautiful condition inside, and has performed on it since. There's a Mahler symphony and a few other orchestral pieces that call for it.

 

[athanasius80]

It sucks, but this sort of thing happens somewhat often. Recently I heard of an estate sale where the heirs were throwing out early (pre-1915) model T Ford parts. The guy walking by was able to snatch 3 pristine wood wheels out of the dumpster before they found him and wouldn't let him get the fourth.

And then there's all the vintage pipe organs that I know were thrown in the dumpster because the church didn't want it or be bothered with selling it.

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon,

As I've indicated in some earlier posts, my Seal 210 dry mount press was almost thrown away by my former principal. Only a call from my former library aide allowed me to salvage it. Great price but a close call!

Konical

 

[ErinHilburn]

wasteful university

At our university they told the photo professor they were taking the old equipment to put in "storage" when he recieved new enlargers and other darkroom equipment. He found out from the men who came to pick the things up they were taking it to the dump, so he tried to get the university to give it to the students. They refused because its against their rules to give it or sell it to anyone.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Edgar Praus - the APUG advertiser - got an 8x10 Elwood and 20 feet of stainless sinks from Xerox. Kodaker's are smart enough to snag most of their trash, but believe me, they are tossing alot out these days. When I was an assistant there, I was in a lab that had flat files full of - every - Leica, Nikon, Zeiss, and Canon (and more) lens.

 

[Soeren]

Well, I picked up a couple of enlargers this past weekend, and I've a sad story to tell...

Seems this guy bought a building that had a rather nice commercial studio/darkroom in it, totally full of 'stuff' (his words). So he rents a 30 yd dumpster and carts everything carryable into it. He told me it was overflowing. The only thing left were a couple of enlargers (10x10 devere and an 8x10 Elwood) and a copy camera (with a 16 1/2" artar apo, which I got). According to this guy there was tons of cameras (old style, with bellows (sic.), boxes and boxes of lenses, I found an 8x10 darkslide (seems he said there were boxes of big black things those went into, aaargh), unfortunately, there were tons of condensors for the devere and they got tossed, so I only have a 4x5 condensor (though I do have the 2 monster 14" square ones), that's ok, because I'm converting it to a homemade cold light head(10mm cool white neon tube a la. arista (but much cheaper)). I asked if the dumpster was still there, hell I'm not that proud..(missed it by a week, and almost wanted to ask where it went to).

I guess on the bright side, I scored 2 enlargers, a decent barrel lens, a brand new 48" x way bigger than I'll probably ever use roll of ilford multigrade and I'm getting about 400+ lbs of raw chemicals. not bad for a $1 ebay purchase.

erie patsellis

STOP STOP YOU MAKE ME CRY
Søren

 

[hortense]

Geez, not yet 10:00 am and my stomach is turning. I think I'm gonna puke!

I'm still wincing!!!!!!

 

[ricksplace]

I really feel sick.

 

[epatsellis]

even my wife, who was with me, just shook her head, this guy could've put away a good chunk of change for his kid's college fund with the 'Junk' that he threw out. I did check with him monday, and even called the dumpster co., everything goes there and they all get compacted.... story of my life.

erie

 

[raucousimages]

I know of a WWII issue Leica taken from a german soldier with several rolls of exposed film that is in the Salt Lake County landfill because it "looked to Old"

 

[rjs003]

Just made an e-bay purchase of old Graflex stuff, consisted of 4 new focusing knobs and gears, a new lens board adapter, lens board, Leica Lens cap, Graflex flash cord, new camera strap, and a front standard for the Graflex View II. Not bad for next to nothing.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I'm not bidding cuz I am tight this month:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7585789312&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Got potential unless you guys get into a frenzy...

 

[jsharjean]

University of Toledo closed a darkroom and trashed everything. My friend who works there happened by and helped herself to rolls of film but did not know what the other "stuff" was. She said they don't care about the waste- it's from grants! The cost of tuition is up and they are throwing money away.
I find allot of old camera stuff at www.shopgoodwill.com . Currently a very old large format camera is for auction with lens. I see people throw beautiful old cameras away because the are of no value to them. Another place to look on a non shooting day is go to church rummage sales, many antique donations up for grabs. Just FYI