Dilemna re 4x5 enlarger and lens

[PatTrent]

I would truly appreciate some opinions on which way to go regarding my Omega D2V enlarger and Schneider Componon-S 150mm f/5.6 lens (the latter of which I am planning to sell on eBay).

Last summer I sold my 4x5 camera on eBay (as I'm using the Hasselblad system these days) and the lenses and film holders, etc., that went with it. I got good prices and the buyers were very happy, too.

At that time I didn't sell the 150mm enlarging lens, as I couldn't decide whether I wanted to sell the Omega D2V as well, as I also have a Beseler 67 enlarger (with color head) that I use for 35mm and 120 format negatives. Due to major bone surgery late last summer, I'm just now getting back into the darkroom so that I can print with both enlargers and decide whether to sell the Omega or keep it. But I probably won't decide for a few more months. However, I have decided to go ahead and sell the lens by itself for now.

So today I started to list the 150mm enlarging lens on eBay, and I was shocked at the low prices I saw under "completed listings." I assumed I'd get at least $100 for this pristine lens, but prices were around $70-$80, not counting shipping.

For only $70-$80 it might be wiser to wait and sell the lens with the Omega D2V (and it's various format carriers and accessories), assuming that I do sell it, later this year. I'm wondering if I would get more for a 4x5 enlarger if a lens came with it. OTOH, any buyer of the enlarger could easily pick up a lens from eBay later.

So what do you think? What would you do, assuming you weren't desperate for cash right now, but at the same time unwilling to take any less for the lens than necessary.

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Pat
PS: What prompts me to sell one of the enlargers is that I no longer have a proper darkroom and have to use my laundry room (which thankfully has a sink with hot and cold water, ample cupboards, a long countertop, outside ventilation through a ceiling fan/vent, etc.). So the difficulty is that my long-suffering husband has to carry two enlargers from a storage closet (clear across the house) into the laundry room when I print! Otherwise, I would keep both enlargers.

 

[Nick Zentena]

FWIW I paid $37 a month or two ago for a 135mm Componon-S. Even a year or two ago I don't know how many 150mm lenses sold for $75 or more.

 

[MattKing]

Pat:

I would put the 150mm lens on a Beseler lensboard and use it for making smaller prints from my 120 negatives (postcards come to mind).

Then, if and when I decided to sell the enlarger, I would consider again whether to sell the lens with it.

Matt

 

[Curt]

I would definitely not sell anything now on eBay since you will probably just be giving them away. If you don't need the money keep the equipment. I would use the 150 as Matt indicated.

 

[egdinger]

If you plan on having the enlarger auciton local pick up only, as many are, sell the lens seperatly for sure. I've seen enlarges with lenses go for less that just lenses because of that. It usually seems that you get more money if you break up something into many auctions. But I havn't sold any enlargers so I don't know if that holds true for them too.

 

[PatTrent]

Thank you all for the replies. That's a great idea about using the lens for postcards. I hadn't thought of that, and yes I would make the enlarger a "local pickup only" item if I sell it later on.

What I can't understand, though, is why that lens ($606.00 from Freestyle) and 4x5 enlargers sell new for hundreds of dollars--which tells me that people are still buying them from dealers--and yet we can't get more than dime or two on eBay, even when the equipment is in excellent condition. Sigh. :rolleyes:

So I think what I'll do is wait a few years until they no longer make darkroom enlarging equipment and then sell it for a mint to people switching to film from digital who can't find anything new available.

Thanks again, Pat

 

[eddie gunks]

pat,
you should just keep the lens. this stuff is going for a song. i just bought
a Devere 5108 (8x10) enlarger with lens, light, controls, and a 16x20 easel for $200! and that was the most i ever spent on an enlarger ever. my first was a 23C with everything i needed to start for 100$. the nest was a 4x5 DII with lots of extras (tripods, film, film holders, lenses, trays, etc etc for $40!

it was very very difficult for me to spend the $200....but i thought it was prudent.

eddie

 

[PatTrent]

pat,
you should just keep the lens. this stuff is going for a song. i just bought
a Devere 5108 (8x10) enlarger with lens, light, controls, and a 16x20 easel for $200! and that was the most i ever spent on an enlarger ever. my first was a 23C with everything i needed to start for 100$. the nest was a 4x5 DII with lots of extras (tripods, film, film holders, lenses, trays, etc etc for $40!

it was very very difficult for me to spend the $200....but i thought it was prudent.

eddie

Eddie:

Wow! That is amazing! Several years ago when I bought my Omega D2V enlarger, it came with the lens, plus 3 lens discs, plus the cone for the 150 lens, plus neg carriers for 35mm, 6x6, and 4x5 (2 of the latter--one glassless and one with glass), and I paid $1,200.00 for the entire outfit and was very happy to do so, given what 4x5 enlargers and lenses cost in those days.

I contacted a major buyer of used equipment to see what they'd offer me for a studio mono light (a really nice unit that I paid $600 for, not counting another $100 in accessories, a few years ago. They offered me only $155 for it, even though it's in mint condition and has hardly been used. I guess digital photographers don't use studio flash anymore ??? I decided that for only $155 I'd just keep it, even though I rarely use it and don't really *need* it. Since turning down their offer, I've been thinking up new ways to use it.

I'm constantly hearing about new analog photographers (returning from having gone purely digital, as well as younger photographers who only knew digital and are curious about film). I think maybe some day the prices on film-related equipment may rise, once there's a shortage and the manufacturers aren't making new units anymore.

If and when that time comes, the $200 you paid for your enlarger will be a real bargain! Meanwhile, I hope you're enjoying it and getting some stunning prints.

Pat