Durst M 600 Enlarger... Questions...

[Tanya.]

Hi All,

A former photography teacher sold me some darkroom equipment including a Durst M600, with a Rodenstock Omegaron 75mm lens, a Schneider 2.8/50 lens, negative holder, 3 11x14 trays, grain magnifier, bulk film roller, thermometer that needs to be calibrated, print easel, old safelight, tongs, and a beaker. I chose this enlarger because the negative carrier is capable of doing medium format, which I am looking into getting.

This is a new hobby for me that I am considering going to college for, and thought that buying used would be a great way to start.

He asked for $200 for the lot, and so I gave him $50 upfront and offered to pay the rest when I was ready to pick up. He said he trusted me to send the rest to him.

When I got home, I noticed the cap to the top of the enlarger is missing and there is a piece of foil covering the cylinder.

I am new to this adventure, and knew I came across that way.

My question is did I pay too much?

Do I have any negotiating room?

Am I being unreasonable by having second thoughts?

Please any advice is welcome.....

Thanks in advance,

Tanya

 

[dfoo]

The price is good as long as it works. The top of the enlarger head doesn't matter all that much as long as the light is not leaking out like crazy.

 

[David William White]

I have an M600, but I haven't used it in a year, I'm at work now so I can't inspect to see what you mean.

Plug it in and turn it on and turn the room lights off and see if there are any major light leaks out the top. If all the light comes out the lens downward, then everything is fine and the unit should provide years of enjoyment. Slide a negative in and make sure you can focus. You've got two nice lenses, the 50 for 35mm and the 75 for medium format. You should also have two negative carriers, one for 35mm and one for mf.

There is also a drawer in the head for contrast filters. Hopefully somewhere there is a box of filters numbered 0 through 5, maybe in half stops. If you don't have contrast filters, you will need to get them, or maybe you can ask your teacher if he can look for them. About $20 on eBay if you have to get them yourself.

The only other thing you probably need is a timer. Ask the teacher if he's got an old one to throw in, or check eBay for a used one.

With enlarger, two lenses, trays, grain focuser, bulk loader, an easel, and safelight, sounds like $200 to me.

Good luck!

 

[Tanya.]

Awesome! I feel better... Thanks for the quick response.....

 

[dfoo]

If you only have a single negative carrier it might not be the end of the world. I have the durst M601, which only came with a single negative carrier which does both 35mm and 6x6. If you don't have a timer, you could use a metronome. I've been using one for a couple of weeks since mine broke. Works pretty well, although you do go around for hours tick/tock tick/tock after printing!

 

[removed account4]

hi tanya

i have a m601, it is a great enlarger!
i am not sure about the 600, but the top of the 601
needs to be in place for the enlarger to project the bulb-light DOWN.
the top has a mirror at a 45º angle that allows the bulb to illuminate
the negative.
if the enlarger you were sold is missing that part ( and if the enlarger is similar to the m601 )
ask for your money back because it won't work, the bulb will light upwards, not downwards.

good luck!

john

 

[dfoo]

This is the manual for the enlarger. http://www.darkroompro.com/pdf/enlargers/durst_m600.pdf

I'm not sure what head you have, but the one in that manual looks nothing like the M601, so I'm not sure there is cause to worry.

 

[jaimeb82]

I would ask for a huge discount or money back, I think the top part needs to be closed up totally, so the light beam goes downwards to the negative. I am also shopping for an enlarger, and having all the parts is a must in those cases.

 

[Tanya.]

It does make me uncomfortable that the top is missing and there is a piece of foil over the cylinder... I did give him $50 as a deosit for all the equipment... if he had leveled with me before I agreed to the $200 I would feel he didn't have anything to hide... he also told me yesterday after I called him about it if I wanted to switch it out for the Bogen he had I could... what shall a newbie do....?

 

[Tanya.]

So i turn it on last night and yes, there was light coming out from the top. Also, where there is foil it became hot immediately... not to mention the spark at the outlet where I plugged it in... I'm wondering... fire hazard maybe?

I'm thinking I have some negotiating room here........

 

[Shangheye]

I really would not keep it. If he is offering you an alternative, I would inspect it before doing the deal and maybe take that. If your Durst is anything like mine, then you will need the right condensers to switch from 35mm to MF also. You can not usually buy them on the market on their own and are now like gold dust.

I really recommend you spend some time looking at the internet for reviews, and views (as you are doing here), spend some time on ebay and other outlets to see what different enlargers are going for eductaet yourself on what you need for them (you can do that by seeing what is included in the various sales) and then take the leap. The enlarger is at th heart of the act of printing and screwing up your decision at this early stage will determine how you enjoy (or not) the future.

K

 

[Tanya.]

Thanks to everyone for your input...

I will call him right away and get rid of this thing!

Best,

Tanya

 

[tonyb20]

Hi Tanya
If you want a M601 I am selling on Ebay Store from Sydney, Australia.
regards
tony