Enlarger inquiry

tallenpatterson · Jun 8, 2016

Greetings all

New to the forum, so wanted to be sure that everyone knows this is not an attempt to sell an item. I currently shoot a Speed Graphic with the Aero Ektar lens. I've been wanting to pick up an enlarger and had someone contact me and give me the following: (1) 4x5 Durst 1200 (1) 4x5 auto focus (he could not recall name) and (1) Durst Laborator 8x10 with Pavelle head. Other things were in the lot including a top end Jobo unit.

Having said all of this, I'm certain I'm keeping one of the 4x5 units and the Jobo. My question is the market for the other 4x5 and the 8x10. It's been a while since I've done printing, so I've been out of the loop for a bit. I just hated to see the guy take it all to the dump, which is where it was heading if I didn't want it. I should also add that it's in excellent shape, sitting in professional packed crates in climate controlled storage. I just don't want to invest the time and effort if it's going to sit in these lovely crates in my garage for the next five years.

Any input as to the market on these? I know shipping is near impossible, and at best a fortune.

Thanks for any input.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Jun 8, 2016

If it's already crated, shipping is probably not as bad as you think.

The market for higher end gear like Durst and LPL is much better than for Omega and Beseler. If it's in good shape you should be able to find it a good home, even if you don't make much money on it.

Luis-F-S · Jun 8, 2016

tallenpatterson said:
Greetings all
I just don't want to invest the time and effort if it's going to sit in these lovely crates in my garage for the next five years.

Thanks for any input.

Your garage will love you for it and you might decide in 10 years you really need it! Keep it all the big stuff is getting scarce. If you get tired of it, PM me before you take it to the dump!

eddie · Jun 8, 2016

Someone will be willing to drive a long way for an 8x10 Durst.

tallenpatterson · Jun 8, 2016

eddie said:
Someone will be willing to drive a long way for an 8x10 Durst.

Well, I figure I live near Lynchburg, TN. They could turn it into a mini trip and tour Jack Daniel's Distillery and take pics. That's my sales pitch at least...lol.

Paul Howell · Jun 8, 2016

My take a while to find a buyer, but 8X10 are hard to come by and if a complete kit the Drust will be worth having. On the hand they are big, who ever needs one need the space for the set up. Does the 8X10 use 120V or 220V?

jvo · Jun 9, 2016

welcome to apug...

(i think paul howell is calculating the distance you are from phoenix...)

chuck94022 · Jun 9, 2016

I *love* my Durst 1200, so much nicer than any enlarger I've had before (that would be a Beseler). Durst enlargers are rare. If you can't sell the whole thing, you can definitely sell the parts.

tallenpatterson · Jun 9, 2016

Paul Howell said:
My take a while to find a buyer, but 8X10 are hard to come by and if a complete kit the Drust will be worth having. On the hand they are big, who ever needs one need the space for the set up. Does the 8X10 use 120V or 220V?

I'll actually know more about it after Saturday morning. Going to go with a friend and take pics of everything and write down info. At least then I'll have an idea of what I have.

tallenpatterson · Jun 9, 2016

jvo said:
welcome to apug...

(i think paul howell is calculating the distance you are from phoenix...)

Thanks for the welcome
I hope someone is calculating...lol. They can just make a mini trip out of it. I'm located just a few minutes from Jack Daniel's Distillery. Nice photo op and free tours...just saying...

Paul Howell · Jun 10, 2016

jvo said:
welcome to apug...

(i think paul howell is calculating the distance you are from phoenix...)

I wish I had the room, my darkroom is a converted bath, just room for my D3 and a Omega 6x7.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 10, 2016

I wish I could buy the 8x10 but my property needs too much work and the costs are killing me.

ic-racer · Jun 10, 2016

Need pictures and more info. Otherwise it is like asking "I found a red car in a garage, how much is it worth?"

Above: Arguably the most valuable car in the world, Ferrari 330 P3; $10 million plus
Below: Arguably the least valuable car in the world, Ford Pinto; $250 city disposal fee

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 10, 2016

Sorry, but regarding auction value, the 330 P3 takes a back seat to the 250 GTO... 2012 auction price $38M +.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_250_GTO

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 10, 2016

Oh wait... this thread is about enlargers. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Patrick Robert James · Jun 10, 2016

Since it sounds like you are getting it all for free, you could pass it forward and give them away or sell them for a pittance. My guess too is that someone with all that is going to have all the accessories for it too and the lenses will probably be top notch. Sounds like you have made quite a score.

John Koehrer · Jun 10, 2016

What? No Yugo?
Would you take it if they paid you(enough?)?

Luis-F-S · Jun 10, 2016

Post some shots once you've seen it.

paul_c5x4 · Jun 10, 2016

ic-racer said:
Arguably the least valuable car in the world, Ford Pinto; $250 city disposal fee

You would be wrong in my opinion. The prime contender for least valuable would surely be the Austin Metro (available in a range of colours including oxide red).

tallenpatterson · Jun 11, 2016

Well, when we got there we were very surprised. This stuff is in amazing condition. The crating on it was so good we decided to cut holes to look in and then will do more with it once relocated to my place. The column on the autofocus 4x5 says Sentinel. Best we can decipher, it's brand new. The Durst 8x10 appears to be the 184 and has a Rodenstock 300mm f/5.6 attached. The Pavelle color head is in another box, though I'm thinking people would want this for black & white anyway. The Jobo is the ATL-2. EVERYTHING is packaged meticulously. The Jobo for instance, still has all the extra pieces, some of the drums appear to be brand new, and it even has the three ring binder with all the info in it. The only thing I'm inquiring about are condensors and lenses for the 4x5 units. I've been told he has the lenses, but just couldn't find them yet but that he will pass them along to me when he does. Since I'm going to have to move them, I opted to leave as is for now.

chuck94022 · Jun 13, 2016

If you decide to part with any of the Durst 1200 items, please let me know.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 13, 2016

Paul Howell said:
I wish I had the room, my darkroom is a converted bath, just room for my D3 and a Omega 6x7.

You will hear this a lot.There is no real market for these enlarges anymore.I had to give my L1200 away for $100 and was cursed for keeping the lenses at this price.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 13, 2016

I can make the room for such a beast. I just can't afford to buy it and have it freighted here. I have too many pressing and pricey repairs to do here. Maybe in a few months but now is a bad time for me.

DREW WILEY · Jun 13, 2016

Most Durst 8x10 vertical enlarger need a relatively high ceiling, esp with a colorhead atop them. I just installed and refurbished another one of them,
and it was quite a chore. But once you tune these up, they could easily last another lifetime. And of course, you'd have the ability to move up into
8x10 photography if you wanted to. Just don't underestimate all the extra expense if you need to replace components like negative carriers. It takes
some patience to find odd's n' ends affordably, unless you have machine shop skills of your own. But since this rig particular seems to be in good condition already, and has even been broken down for easy transport, you should just bag it, even if you have to store it awhile. It is a Ferrari.

Old-N-Feeble · Jun 13, 2016

DREW WILEY said:
Most Durst 8x10 vertical enlarger need a relatively high ceiling, esp with a colorhead atop them. I just installed and refurbished another one of them,
and it was quite a chore. But once you tune these up, they could easily last another lifetime. And of course, you'd have the ability to move up into
8x10 photography if you wanted to. Just don't underestimate all the extra expense if you need to replace components like negative carriers. It takes
some patience to find odd's n' ends affordably, unless you have machine shop skills of your own. But since this rig particular seems to be in good condition already, and has even been broken down for easy transport, you should just bag it, even if you have to store it awhile. It is a Ferrari.

Is 18 feet enough? I can do that but I just won't have the money for several weeks.

Enlarger inquiry

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