Cost of Enlarger

mporter012 · Jul 13, 2013

Can someone give me an idea of what I should look for in purchasing an older used enlarger? I know very little so any info will be helpful!

Thanks -

Tom1956 · Jul 13, 2013

Enlarger prices are all over the place. From free to overpriced. Keep your eyes open a month or 2 and you as likely as not to end up with a whole darkroom--more goodies than you can haul away.

jpreston · Jul 13, 2013

Just bought a Beseler 45 MCXAG enlarger with color and black and white heads, several negative carriers, timer and color filters for $80.00.

mporter012 · Jul 13, 2013

Ideally I'd like to be able to enlarge up to 6x6 - I do not need large format capabilities.

summicron1 · Jul 13, 2013

there was a besseler dichro enlarger in a box at a thrift store near here a bit ago, lens and all, took up to 6 by 7 -- seriously, if they have Craigslist or some other form of on-line free classifieds, start checking, you will see whole darkrooms going for as little as $100 ... put the word out -- a note on the bulletin board at church -- and wait, someone is likely to give you one.

mgb74 · Jul 14, 2013

A max of 6x6 opens up a lot of possibilities; such as an Omega B22 or a Beseler 23c. As others have said, wait long enough and you'll find one for free. But if you do buy one, make sure it has the negative carriers you need. Otherwise, you'll end up spending a lot more for the carriers than for the enlarger.

mporter012 · Jul 14, 2013

This is great news! I was expecting the cost to be much higher than say, 'free' - I imagine that it's easiest to buy a complete package with lenses and the enlarger?

Tom1956 · Jul 14, 2013

Nobody can say what you might be able to expect. This site and others are chock full of stories, including myself of; of hitting on a goldmine. It happens all the time. Keep an eye on dregslist especially. Keep your eyes open. One day sooner than later you're bound to make a haul Although most of these bargains are not known for ending up with great lenses, at least not for me. So I also keep my eye open on fleabay for Ektars, which are my favorite.

StoneNYC · Jul 14, 2013

You can have this for free if you come to CT...

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

viridari · Jul 14, 2013

I picked up a Beseler 23C II with Nikkor 50mm lens, working bulb, spare bulb, red glass intact, 35mm carrier... just missing heat glass, filters, and the medium format carriers. That didn't stop me from using it right away, and even got a few good lucky enlargements without multigrade filters. I spent $50 on it. The first neg carrier I bought for it cost slightly more than the enlarger itself!

Rick A · Jul 14, 2013

I have a Beseler 23Cii that I am giving away. If you want to do a road trip, I can do a hands on DR session with you to get you started, or if you can't come this far, I will be in the Irwin/Monroeville area on the upcoming weekend, and can bring the machine, and meet ther, if you want it.

mporter012 · Jul 14, 2013

Thanks for the offer. This is great. I am actually in Chicago now - but my parents are in Franklin PA, and I have relatives in Pittsburgh area, so if you give me an idea of when you are going to be in Monroeville, I was thinking that it may be possible for my uncle to meet you somewhere and pick up the enlarger. It's possible my Dad could also meet you somewhere as well. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks Rick!

Mark

nsurit · Jul 14, 2013

Free or close to it would be a good starting point. Assuming you have the room, you might look at picking up a Beseler (or similar) 4X5 in case you decide on 6X9 or 4X5 format. Your best bet is to watch for someone who has the associated equipment you will need in the package. UNless free, I'd probably only look for a package which includes the lenses and negative carrier. You will likely end up spending more for those pieces if bought seperately than you would for a complete unit. Bill Barber

omaha · Jul 14, 2013

I just picked up a 23c in seemingly near perfect condition, along with a half dozen carriers and two lenses, for $20. Found it locally on Craigslist.

GregW · Jul 14, 2013

recently got a DII with 4 lenses- several are schneiders, cones, carriers, easel, trays, 11 x 14 paper, a 11 x 14 archival washer (man this thing is heavy) the whole kit and kaboodle for free off of craigslist.

ic-racer · Jul 14, 2013

For your FIRST enlarger, look for a free one. Once you learn how to use that, you are in a better position to know what to look for when buying.

Rick A · Jul 14, 2013

I'll be in the Monroeville area on the 19, 20, and 21st, send me a PM and I'll get you the particulars and a phone number to reach me at.

summerbee · Jul 14, 2013

You guys in the States get real bargains around! I paid 80 € for a Durst F60.
Will they leave taxes away when EU and USA will subscribe the free trade agreement they are speaking about these days? I really hope so!

Tom1956 · Jul 14, 2013

summerbee said:
You guys in the States get real bargains around! I paid 80 for a Durst F60.
Will they leave taxes away when EU and USA will subscribe the free trade agreement they are speaking about these days? I really hope so!

I don't know about any free trade agreement, but whatever happens you can be sure the tax-addicts will load it up. So I wouldn't count on any relief on that score. At that, I'll leave my opinion out because this site isn't real happy on political opinions.

StoneNYC · Jul 14, 2013

Tom1956 said:
I don't know about any free trade agreement, but whatever happens you can be sure the tax-addicts will load it up. So I wouldn't count on any relief on that score. At that, I'll leave my opinion out because this site isn't real happy on political opinions.

You report capital gains on your freely gifted stuff, you're not very smart lol

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

MattKing · Jul 14, 2013

StoneNYC said:
You report capital gains on your freely gifted stuff, you're not very smart lol

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

Clearly, Stone doesn't understand how tax auditors work.

StoneNYC · Jul 14, 2013

MattKing said:
Clearly, Stone doesn't understand how tax auditors work.

I do, but there are things they just don't need to know about, and if something is FREE then it's inherent value is 0... If someone is willing to pay nothing for something then it has no value, and therefore shouldn't be taxed, you can't quantify some things gifted money is a little different, there's a constant value on money that CAN be quantified.

Plus I believe in "free trade" in terms of bartering. I think taxing NEW goods, and goods that have been refurbished is ok, but taxing a used good is bullshit, someone already payed the taxes on that items value. Unless I'm selling the item and claiming the depreciation loss on my taxes, the other guy shouldn't pay any taxes on the item, the government already got their money. If however I do claim a depreciation on the sale of it, then the other person (should be told) and write that as a purchase.

Trust me, I know a lot about tax law, and have my own opinion of how it should work and be fair and not take advantage. No taxation without reason and intent... That's my feeling.

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

Tom1956 · Jul 14, 2013

StoneNYC said:
I do, but there are things they just don't need to know about, and if something is FREE then it's inherent value is 0... If someone is willing to pay nothing for something then it has no value, and therefore shouldn't be taxed, you can't quantify some things gifted money is a little different, there's a constant value on money that CAN be quantified.

Plus I believe in "free trade" in terms of bartering. I think taxing NEW goods, and goods that have been refurbished is ok, but taxing a used good is bullshit, someone already payed the taxes on that items value. Unless I'm selling the item and claiming the depreciation loss on my taxes, the other guy shouldn't pay any taxes on the item, the government already got their money. If however I do claim a depreciation on the sale of it, then the other person (should be told) and write that as a purchase.

Trust me, I know a lot about tax law, and have my own opinion of how it should work and be fair and not take advantage. No taxation without reason and intent... That's my feeling.

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

I ain't saying nuttin'.

MattKing · Jul 14, 2013

StoneNYC said:
I do, but there are things they just don't need to know about, and if something is FREE then it's inherent value is 0... If someone is willing to pay nothing for something then it has no value, and therefore shouldn't be taxed, you can't quantify some things gifted money is a little different, there's a constant value on money that CAN be quantified.

Plus I believe in "free trade" in terms of bartering. I think taxing NEW goods, and goods that have been refurbished is ok, but taxing a used good is bullshit, someone already payed the taxes on that items value. Unless I'm selling the item and claiming the depreciation loss on my taxes, the other guy shouldn't pay any taxes on the item, the government already got their money. If however I do claim a depreciation on the sale of it, then the other person (should be told) and write that as a purchase.

Trust me, I know a lot about tax law, and have my own opinion of how it should work and be fair and not take advantage. No taxation without reason and intent... That's my feeling.

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

I was referring to the fact that auditors have been known to actually research the internet presence of the person they audit.

And tax law is inherently simple - if the statute makes something taxable, then it is taxable. And if it doesn't succeed in making it taxable, it isn't taxable. Traditionally, taxing statutes would be strictly construed by courts.

Fairness is a question of politics, not tax law, unless the tax law actually incorporates questions of fairness into its language

tkamiya · Jul 15, 2013

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Cost of Enlarger

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