Want to Buy Darkroom setup

Eric S · Oct 4, 2022

In 2020, I would drive out to the Community Darkroom of Akron and get individual lessons on darkroom print making (b&w) for $45/session. I learned the basics and made some neat prints. Unfortunately, i'm busier now and the 2+ hour drive isn't feasible. I'd like to set up a basic darkroom in my basement to do B&W prints up to 8x10 from 35mm and 6x6 negs.

I don't suppose I'm going to get lucky on photrio with someone looking to unload some quality darkroom equipment (enlarger/timer/light/easels/trays/tongs/thermometer/graduated cylinders/grain focuser) at an affordable price in the western pa / eastern ohio region, but you never know...

I see kits on an auction site, but they are rarely in my area and often stuff that looks like it's not been cared for.

Thoughts?

MattKing · Oct 4, 2022

Check Craigslist and Facebook marketplace in your area as well.
With darkroom equipment, location is critical.
If you were near me, boy could I (and lots of my friends) help you!

Don_ih · Oct 4, 2022

I think you're asking in the right place. There is bound to be someone one here close to you that can sell you a setup cheaply.

Otherwise, do what Matt said.

Eric S · Oct 4, 2022

Thank you for your thoughts. I have been surfing CL all summer. Pittsburgh seems to be a wasteland of activity in the broader analog community. Cleveland, Buffalo, State College (pa) and Columbus seem like bustling hubs by comparison. All 3 hours or more from where I live (well, cleveland is closer). I know FB Marketplace is better, but the thought of joining FB puts me in a state of apoplectic shock.

With luck, someone on Photrio will emerge and help me turn all this HP5 into prints and allow me to isolate, productively, from the world during the upcoming winter!

MattKing · Oct 4, 2022

Eric S said:
I know FB Marketplace is better, but the thought of joining FB puts me in a state of apoplectic shock.

We have a shared aversion, but some of my friends don't, and have had good luck there.
Sometimes you can get away with a "Wanted" listing on Craigslist.

digital_archivist · Oct 4, 2022

OTOH, if you manage to collect enough equipment, you might want to open a community shared darkroom. Perhaps you could piggyback with a local makerspace; don't know if there are any in the Butler area or not.

I once ran a rental darkroom in Shadyside. Of course, we went broke after a few years. But it was a lot of fun!

Sonynolta User · Oct 4, 2022

If you're willing to drive to the FAR end of the Ohio turnpike (Indiana / Michigan Corner - mile 25), I could likely set you up with a Beseler 23 and affilliated stuff fairly easily. Shipping? but costs would likely make anyone cry.

And I'm not looking to get rich...
Let me know, and I could round up a list and a price.

Sirius Glass · Oct 4, 2022

I did well on Craig's List. Also check Craig's List for nearby large metropolitan areas. Be able to make small change otherwise you will be handing over a $20 to cover the top and not get $15 back for example.

bdial · Oct 5, 2022

If you’re willing/able to make a drive to the east, Vermont Center for Photography can send you home with everything you need, for not much money. Shipping is possible too, but enlargers are expensive to ship these days.
They are in SE Vermont (Brattleboro)

PhotoThrift at VCP | Vermont Center for Photography

A retail space at the Vermont Center for Photography, selling used/donated photographic equipment. Consider making a donation today!

vcphoto.org

Aside from that, you can likely score on Craigslist, another good source might be estate auctions, there are several online auction services, auctionninja.com is one of many. Typically these allow one to bid online, then pick up in person. Around here enlargers and associated darkroom stuff doesn’t get much love. I could have bought an Omega D2 and several boxes of DR stuff for about 20-30 bucks at one local sale recently.

Eric S · Oct 5, 2022

I'm very grateful for all of the helpful advice. Someone has graciously agreed to sell me a Beseler enlarger, 50 & 75mm lenses, 35mm carrier and maybe a 6x6, some 8x10 trays, safelight and a timer. I'll be making a long drive, but I'm grateful.

Photrio is a great Community.

I'm still looking for some nice easels (up to 8x10), a print washer would be nice to have, and a grain focuser. But these items ship easily and can be found without a struggle on auction sites and whatnot.

tallenpatterson · Oct 5, 2022

I literally just drove up to east OH over the weekend to visit with family. Downsizing my darkroom as well to one enlarger instead of two. UGH....could have loaded up literally everything you needed...darn it!

Dan Meyers · Oct 19, 2022

Eric,

I have a Kostner Archival Print Washer, 16x20, for sale. No leaks, mold, stains, etc. How far from Baltimore area are you?

Eric S · Oct 19, 2022

Hi Dan, thank you for your post. I should shut this thread down because I have a complete setup now (well... complete starter kit) owed in thanks to the suggestions made by the Community. I placed a "wanted" ad on CL and got lucky about 15 minutes from my home. I scored an Omega 67c, digital timer, safelight, trays, easels, tongs, and a print washer, etc... for an amazing price, for which I'm grateful.

Thank you to all who prodded me along in a constructive direction...

Jim Jones · Oct 19, 2022

Eric -- When you get your enlarger and other items, post what you will still need here. I shut down my last darkroom a few years ago, and still have most of that stuff. I've improvised several darkrooms over the past 60 years, and know ways to make it less inexpensive. For example, you might find deep trays at dollar stores that may work better than typical shallow trays for washing many prints, and are a lot cheaper. Washing prints in trays is time consuming, but can do a very good job with much less water. Good photographic thermometers are great, but less expensive thermometers are good enough for B&W photography. Consistency is more important than absolute accuracy! Some people have separate measuring cups for darkroom and kitchen. However, if those cups are clean enough for a good darkroom, they are certainly fine for most kitchens. When we analyze darkroom procedures down to the most basic requirements while we are printing and developing, and think about how we could accomplish the same procedure with what is readily available, we can often come up with more efficient darkroom procedures than those of "experts" who rely on store bought gear. Oops, I think and type too slow, so the above may no longer be relevant to Eric.

Eric S · Oct 24, 2022

Following the advice of this wonderful community, I posted a "wanted" ad on CL. I got a hit from State College, PA. A gentleman is dissolving his uncle's estate and he has inventoried a ton of photography equipment and is looking for a buyer. He doesn't know anything about the equipment and I've been helping him identify what he has. State College is a bit far for me to travel.

Here is a dropbox link for what he has if anyone is interested.
Pictures of his haul.

Rick A · Oct 24, 2022

Is South west Pa to far? I have a Beseler 23C set up and some extra 8x10 trays for cheap

FTD · Nov 8, 2022

Eric S said:
In 2020, I would drive out to the Community Darkroom of Akron and get individual lessons on darkroom print making (b&w) for $45/session. I learned the basics and made some neat prints. Unfortunately, i'm busier now and the 2+ hour drive isn't feasible. I'd like to set up a basic darkroom in my basement to do B&W prints up to 8x10 from 35mm and 6x6 negs.

I don't suppose I'm going to get lucky on photrio with someone looking to unload some quality darkroom equipment (enlarger/timer/light/easels/trays/tongs/thermometer/graduated cylinders/grain focuser) at an affordable price in the western pa / eastern ohio region, but you never know...

I see kits on an auction site, but they are rarely in my area and often stuff that looks like it's not been cared for.

Thoughts?

eric,

if you are still interested in darkroom equipment, please contact me. i am brand new to the site but i have enlargers, timers, a safelight, and various other equipment (in the pittsburgh area). very reasonable, but bulky and expensive to ship. pick-up is ideal.

Frank

dabsond · Nov 8, 2022

These are still available in Dover DE. You can make me an offer on all three or any combination.

For Sale - Beseler 23CII Enlarger

For sale is a Beseler 23CII enlarger. This unit is in good shape with no issues that I can see. It has all the condenser lenses intact and a working bulb. There are no negative carriers included. I just don't need this one. I am using a Beseler 45 for all the different formats I shoot...

www.photrio.com

For Sale - Omega B22 Enlarger

For sale is an Omega B22 enlarger. This unit is in good shape with no issues that I can see. It has all the condenser lenses intact and a working bulb. There is a 35mm negative carrier included. I just don't need this one. I am using a Beseler 45 for all the different formats I shoot. Pri ce is...

www.photrio.com

For Sale - Omega B66 Enlarger

For sale is an Omega B66 enlarger. This unit is in good shape with no issues that I can see. It has all the condenser lenses intact and a working bulb. There is a 35mm negative carrier included. I just don't need this one. I am using a Beseler 45 for all the different formats I shoot. Prince is...

www.photrio.com

Want to Buy Darkroom setup

Eric S

MattKing

Moderator

Don_ih

Eric S

MattKing

Moderator

digital_archivist

Sonynolta User

Sirius Glass

bdial

PhotoThrift at VCP | Vermont Center for Photography

Eric S

tallenpatterson

Dan Meyers

Eric S

Jim Jones

Eric S

Rick A

FTD

dabsond

For Sale - Beseler 23CII Enlarger

For Sale - Omega B22 Enlarger

For Sale - Omega B66 Enlarger

Want to Buy Darkroom setup

Moderator

Moderator

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