Durst U70 enlarger?

[hoffy]

Hi,

I stumbled across this lot on our favourite auction site:

Full Darkroom setup

There are a few things that are making me sit up and thing "Too Good To be true"

1. Enlargers - the main one, a Durst U70, I can find very little info about
2. At this stage, I am not prepared to setup a darkroom yet. I am still very much a re-learning newbie with film. Yes, the ultimate step is to develop and print my own, but I want to know what I am buying
3. zero feedback on the seller

That being said, the price is right....

Now, my biggest fear is the enlarger. I did some googling and can find very little about a Durst U70, EXCEPT that it seems mainly aimed at larger formats.

Can anyone shed some light on this enlarger? My main uses will be 35mm B&W and the darkroom will be a temporary(I.E., put up, Pull down) setup in my laundry (aprox 3M x 2.5M(

Any assistance or advice would be more then welcome!

 

[ic-racer]

The most valuable thing in that lot is the press (if it works).

Nothing wrong with those two enlargers. If they are in good shape, they will print just like a newer model. But, because they are old, they are not very valuable.

Seal presses, in good condition go for over $200 USD. Those enlargers I would value around $50 USD for both.

 

[hoffy]

OK, would the U70 do what I want? What are spares like with these, or if they are un-usable, they are bin worthy only?

Cheers

 

[hoffy]

BTW, I found out that neither of the enlargers have lenses.....Now I am not sure at all about this lot. I would like to think, apart from consumables, that what ever I buy would be basically ready to go...

 

[edtbjon]

You can certainly use any of the enlargers for 35mm work. It's easy to find a 50mm lens for either of the enlargers. Again, the Seal press alone is worth quite a lot more than the starting price. (I paid some $400 for a Seal press a couple of years ago.)
Do place a $60 bid on it. If someone else finds it more valuable, then so be it. At $60 it's a very nice deal, unless you're very tight on space.

 

[hoffy]

Thanks. I have asked about the presses. I'm sure I could find a home for them.

By the way, does anyone know what a Patterson ColourTherm Processing kit entails? If I think it is what I think it is, it could be a good start!

 

[John Koehrer]

For $50-$60 it's a steal. Two presses, two enlargers all the bits & pieces. Pick up only!
Terrific you can look at it before you buy it.
Did I mention that the Valoy is a predecessor of the Focomat? & image quality is excellent. The Durst looks like it may be one of autofocus variety.

 

[hoffy]

OK, and thanks John. I am waiting for a response from the seller in regards to the presses before I decide