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Am I too Late?

Old-N-Feeble

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I learned a long time ago the keys to getting great deals are...

1. Knowing precisely what you want.
2. Knowing how much you're willing to pay.
3. Diligent searching and knowing where to look.
4. Having the funds immediately available at a moment's notice.
5. When found... don't hesitate any longer than necessary to verify item condition and seller integrity.
 

Wayne

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That Beseler is terrific go for it

Hard to complain about the price if it works! Can't tell if theres a lens though. See if he'll throw in the grinder too.
 

TattyJJ

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I have found Facebook to be really good for finding stuff really cheep or free!
Not sure how it is over your way, but there are loads of regional selling groups here. Plus the app has a marketplace section that searches all the selling groups you're a member of.
I was given a load of bits and pieces, and just picked up a colour enlarger and jobo print processor plus some other odds and ends for 20 quid!
 

mikebarger

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I've got two not being used both 4x5 Beseler one color one condenser....but way to far away from you. First time I've been to APUG in a while, had over 7,700 new posts since I was last here.
 

mshchem

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I've got two not being used both 4x5 Beseler one color one condenser....but way to far away from you. First time I've been to APUG in a while, had over 7,700 new posts since I was last here.
At last count I have 7 4x5 Beselers, color heads, condensers, cold lights. People give them to me, or I have paid next to nothing. I'm trying to keep some of this from being scrapped. I think that there will be a lot of young people that want to print down the road. I will be there to help them out. Oh and I just got two Zone VI enlargers, one 8x10 and one 5x7. Both with VC heads. 200 bucks total. Drove 200 miles round trip.
Best Mike
 

mklw1954

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I would say just be patient and check out your local and a couple of surrounding area Craigslist photo/video listings every day. It could take a little time to for a nice inexpensive package in good condition to be listed and you may have to drive a bit to get it, but they still show up, at least they still do where I am.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Trying to put together a darkroom and hopefully an enlarger but it seems like I am to late. Are there still good deals out there? I live in small town so do I advertise on the closet craigslist or in the local paper?
you are late.the good stuff in the2nd-hand darkroom market is long gone.Although you might get lucky and find well treated items here and there.online auction sites and APUG are probably your best bet.
 
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Hubigpielover

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Picked up my new enlargers a Hansa and Besler 67s2. Both are in awesome shape and the Bessler came with the filters and a 110 negative holder. The only thing I am missing is the holder for the filters. Oh, even have a timer. Trying to convince him to sell the rest of the darkroom stuff he has gathering dust.
 

Nodda Duma

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Thibodaux, La....small town almost to the Gulf of Mexico. I'm trying to be patient but it is hard. Everything I find is up north and nobody wants to ship an enlarger.

Small world...my dad grew up there and graduated HS there in '66.
 

Wayne

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So is it too late?
 

Drewdoo

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Trying to put together a darkroom and hopefully an enlarger but it seems like I am to late. Are there still good deals out there? I live in small town so do I advertise on the closet craigslist or in the local paper?

I feel the same way. Live in Knoxville, TN and have been on the hunt for a while. Was in Atlanta on business, checked Craig's list and found a meopta axomat ii for $45!! Scooped it up but now realize I have no negative carrier and have not idea how to get another or if a different one will fit....sigh....

If anyone can shed light on this, please let me know!!
 

Wayne

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Haha, I will sell you the Hansa? Does that help?

Thanks but I already have a Super Chromega D5 and a Beseler 45MXII and someone who will give me a Beseler 4x5 with color head but that I'd feel guilty accepting.
 

Old-N-Feeble

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I was looking through one of the internet selling sites and found a Zone VI Series II 5x7 enlarger sans light source for $100. For an additional $50, the seller threw in five decent (not great) enlarging lenses, a small Jobo tank with reels, a nice focusing cloth, a good Fidelity Deluxe 8x10 film holder and several other small darkroom sundries. I made it clear that everything was worth far more than his asking price but he didn't care. He said he was moving soon and needed them out of his way... better to sell them cheaply than toss them in the garbage. He even met me half way and we enjoyed a nice conversation over coffee. I'm very happy. Now I just need to buy or fabricate a light source for the enlarger.

Too late? NEVER!!
 

Sirius Glass

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It is never too late to panic.
 

Luckless

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Another good source to explore: Local "Maker Spaces"

They are especially useful if you have a partial bit of gear - Rather than struggling to find parts, or having to buy complete replacements for an enlarger because you only have part of one and are missing a critical piece, you can drop in and talk with local groups who are into fabricating and fixing things.

More than a few in such hobbies would probably be more than happy to take on the challenge of building a complete enlarger around just a lens and nothing more. Finding an existing working enlarger would be less work, but they're also not insanely mythical devices that would be impossible to build from scratch.


Just because we can't easily step into a store and take our pick of models off a show room floor doesn't mean that new stuff has to be impossible to find.
 

Nodda Duma

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That's cool. How did a bayou boy wind up all the way in New Hampshire?

Lol I'm not a bayou boy. Dad moved back up to the Ozarks where his side of the family was originally from. He met my mom there (a Chicagoan who spent the summers down there). See my avatar? I grew up in the Ozarks, opposite side of the boot bowl from ya. I do have a cajun uncle who married into the family tho. I like me some gumbo.

College in MO -> optical engineer for the Navy in CA -> missing bad weather -> moved to the NH tech sector. Like the Johnny Cash song, "I've been everywhere man".
 

Luis-F-S

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Have 5 really good enlargers n none were free! Paid good money for each. Hopefully Hubigs will reopen soon. I miss their lemon pies!
 
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Hubigpielover

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I wonder if I can get them to fabricate a complete wiring harness for my 79 Fiat
 
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Hubigpielover

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Have 5 really good enlargers n none were free! Paid good money for each. Hopefully Hubigs will reopen soon. I miss their lemon pies!

Well I found out who was hoarding all the enlargers. Once I finish getting all my darkroom stuff, I might bug you to teach me how to use it. Also, isn't it time for the boat parade?
 
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Hubigpielover

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I thought that was an ink blot. How are you looking for football this year? I can't remember if you come down and or we go up but if you come down let me know. We can go tailgating.