Enlarger prices ... amazing

DREW WILEY · Apr 4, 2018

Hard to say how many enlargers are still even being made, versus just slowly selling off extant inventory. There's no money in it. I have four big pro enlargers, but have turned down five times that number for free. But not all kinds of analog gear has dropped price on the used market. Some lenses and even cameras have skyrocketed. Just depends.

mshchem · Apr 4, 2018

This is who makes Beseler stuff today . I don't think they are making any new 4x5 stuff. Like Drew mentions getting rid of the last of the inventory. It would be interesting to know. My last Beseler 4x5 cost me 110 bucks ,with a 3 lens turret , Beseler adjus-a-table and Minolta Color head, 150mm Componon -S. Carriers and a 16 x 20 borderless easel.

http://fabricatedcomponents.com

Best Regards Mike

David Lyga · Apr 5, 2018

You know, I am not so hard on the manufacturers here: I KNOW that to make these new items costs a lot in this rather 'niche' market. My query was really directed at how people can be willing to pay those prices when, with not all that much effort, amazing deals can be had. In other words, this 'enlarger pursuit' is really a case of arbitrage on steroids. There are few disparities as great as the 'new' vs 'used' as with enlargers. Wall Street should be jealous.

Having said that, the reality (I was not entirely privy to this) of 'new' being mandated for governmental institutions is a direct reason for the feasibility of these outrageous (in context, by comparison) prices. But, for 'common folk' to pay these prices is rather a case of not looking where one leaps. (Actually, I am surprised at the determination that I have, here, proffered 'nonsense'.) I learn a lot by talking to you. Regardless, thanks. - David Lyga

Tom Kershaw · Apr 5, 2018

I purchased my De Vere enlargers on the used market but as someone who has spent significant amounts of time poking and prodding old pieces of darkroom equipment into operation I can see the appeal of buying new.

MattKing · Apr 5, 2018

Take a look at KHB's prices for used enlargers. They aren't in any way cheap, because they reflect the fact that the enlarger has been completely checked and serviced, and any worn parts have been replaced. Classic Enlargers was the same way.
Many of us here have the knowledge and experience to recognize problems that arise because of use and damage and, in many cases, the ability to repair or cause to be repaired those problems. That opens up a much wider market.

Luis-F-S · Apr 5, 2018

Who cares what they cost new, at least they are available. If you don’t want to buy new and pay the price then buy used!

paul ron · Apr 5, 2018

i actually wonder if B&H has actually sold any enlargers in the past 15 years? i see so many great enlargers being given away free or tossed in the trash.

Sirius Glass · Apr 5, 2018

I can understand that someone may want or need a new enlarger. I am glad that there are enlargers are still being made.

BradS · Apr 5, 2018

ic-racer said:
New enlargers have always been expensive.
Used enlarger prices have risen and used enlargers are harder to find. Makes new enlargers a better value than ten years ago.

Exactly what I was thinking too. New enlargers have always (to my recollection) been breathtakingly more expensive than used.

The last enlarger that I "sold" went for the price of one of the handful of negative carriers (included in the deal). Basically, pay for a negative carrier and get a few more and an complete working enlarger to use them with.

so, I think that we'll regret all of those fine machines that were hauled away to the dump a decade or so ago when **everybody** went digital and cleaned out the old darkroom.
Remember free standing Durst machines going wanting for lack of somebody with a big enough truck and enough money for gas to pick it up?

M Carter · Apr 5, 2018

Supply and demand. I waited for months for a good, clean 4x5 to show up within a day's drive of my town (Dallas). I was about to fly up to one of the big eBay camera stores in Ohio (Robert's I think? they had a lot of nice stock), pick one, and rent a car to get it home. So I would have paid something like $700+ with travel and all, and spent 2 or 3 days getting it.

Funny though, my wife said "a lady friend is selling her enlarger" and I said "I already have a crappy one". She did that painful flick on my forehead with her fingernail and said "she's a photo professor at the college". So I ended up with a pristine MXT, a bunch of extra trays and stuff I wanted, lenses and boards, and a 4-blade 11x14 for $150. Then she hauled out the paper giveaway - threw in lots of unopened Polywarmtone, MGWT, all of it in great shape. Lots of 16x20. Screaming deal.

A week later an Omega D shows up on CL, sitting in an antique store, very clean, fifty bucks. Almost bought the damn thing as well. Supply and demand, man!

eddie · Apr 5, 2018

M Carter said:
Funny though, my wife said "a lady friend is selling her enlarger" and I said "I already have a crappy one". She did that painful flick on my forehead with her fingernail and said "she's a photo professor at the college".

I have a similar story, minus the forehead flick... My Dad told me his old Frat brother was looking to downsize/retire, after a long legal career. He was a photo enthusiast, with a darkroom he was looking to unload. He had seen my work at my parent's home, so thought of me. When I kind of balked (as we've all been given/offered cheap, useless crap), and he lived about 75 minutes from me, my Dad said, "just give him a call". It turned out to be a barely used LPL 4550XL, with the Heiland Splitgrade, and a color module. Additionally, there were nice timers, paper safes, thermometers, jugs,etc. All for free. It took me two trips to pick up everything....

chip j · Apr 5, 2018

One HAS to buy the fabulous Leitz enlargers used.

mshchem · Apr 5, 2018

MattKing said:
Take a look at KHB's prices for used enlargers. They aren't in any way cheap, because they reflect the fact that the enlarger has been completely checked and serviced, and any worn parts have been replaced. Classic Enlargers was the same way.
Many of us here have the knowledge and experience to recognize problems that arise because of use and damage and, in many cases, the ability to repair or cause to be repaired those problems. That opens up a much wider market.

KHB is a great source. Kevin helped me out with a technical question, really good company. When you think how much work goes into cleaning up, adjusting, carrying inventory, spares etc. This is the best way to buy used equipment if you want it to work.

Chan Tran · Apr 5, 2018

chip j said:
One HAS to buy the fabulous Leitz enlargers used.

That is one I don't buy new or used.

DREW WILEY · Apr 5, 2018

Neighbors like fixing up classic old cars and motorcycles and boats. I got quite a bit of satisfaction refurbishing classic Durst enlargers, though my most ambitious project involved designing and building a completely unique machine of my own. Although there are allegedly a few commercial Durst units new in crates in Italy, that entire division closed long ago. Nobody can afford that level of classic machine shop labor anymore. Now it's all about aluminum extrusions, CNC parts etc. All the Durst enlargers smaller than 5x7 came out of the amateur products division, which is still extant.

chip j · Apr 5, 2018

My mighty Durst M35 Micromat (35mm only) is built as good as any big Durst!

darinwc · Apr 5, 2018

Are there any companies still making enlargers? Are all the new models just old stock?

Film cameras, film manufacturers, and enlarging equipment.. all these markets have crashed. It is such a niche market now. Consider other niche market now. Art supplies, vintage auto parts, etc. All very expensive.

John51 · Apr 6, 2018

Forget the name but there's a German company making 6x9 enlargers which are near enough Focomats.

In the 70s, a prosumer Durst cost 3 to 4 months of my net wages. 3 to 4 months of my state pension now will get me one of those brand new German 6x9 enlargers.

E. von Hoegh · Apr 6, 2018

David Lyga said:
Sorry to detract from the gross profits of B&H and Freestyle and Adorama, but I must ask with impunity: Does anyone actually pay these obscene prices? The worst enlarger in the world is the rickety Beseler Cadet II and that goes for about USD 350. To obtain a Beseler 23C you are going to have to pay about four times that. To get a 'respectable' enlarger, like the Printmaker, you are going to pay about USD 650. Who the hell is going to pay these prices when you can get this hardware for, maybe, $50 to $100 (or far less) elsewhere in excellent condition? Enlarging lens prices are even more obscene. Did anyone ever hear of the used market offering the same for 20% (or less) of what is asked?

Is this post not justified without being 'villainous by inference'? I think that there is a lot of merit for my temerity to bring up this topic. - David Lyga

Obscene? Look up the price of a new Linhof 4x5 Technika, body only.
All things considered, in 2018 dollars those new enlargers and lenses aren't that bad, especially when you consider that it is about the only small and medium format gear still available new.

chip j · Apr 6, 2018

John51 said:
Forget the name but there's a German company making 6x9 enlargers which are near enough Focomats.

In the 70s, a prosumer Durst cost 3 to 4 months of my net wages. 3 to 4 months of my state pension now will get me one of those brand new German 6x9 enlargers.

Kienzle

Ryan Oliveira · Jan 27, 2021

I don't think it's wrong to buy new enlargers, as we must support these companies who are still making great products, whether they're expensive or not.
I myself wouldn't buy a used enlarger, as I plan on building my own darkroom in a few years, and thinking about the future, these will be a great option, when the rest of the enlargers will be for parts on the used market.
I inicially only want to enlarge from 35mm film, so I will look for the Beseler Printmaker 35, or the Kaiser VP350, and dont think the price is absurd. The Printmaker can be had for $400, without a lens.
In regards to lenses, I do intend to buy used ones, as they're considerably more available. An El-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8N is really sharp, and is less than $150 on ebay, for a near Mint copy.
Rodagon lenses are super expensive, and even used ones run for a lot more than El-Nikkors.

DREW WILEY · Jan 27, 2021

Nobody is making serious commercial enlargers anymore that I'm aware of. No market for them. The real deal ones seem to last forever anyway with a little common sense maintenance. I turned down over twenty commercial enlargers for free from a retiring lab simply because I had no place to put them. I did take one 8x10 Durst worth around $25,000 or so - certainly not the most pricey one, but the best for my personal needs. I simply didn't want a lot of fancy electronic features I didn't know how to maintain myself. I don't know how many ordinary 4x5 Omega and Beseler enlargers were thrown out at the same time. Four big enlargers is all I have room for. Now my smallest one is on a 5x7 Durst 138 chassis.

Even my own little ole Omega 4x5 enlarger with colorhead was bought well used, and then lasted me another 40 yrs. Eventually the fan went and power supply developed issues. Current Durst 4x5 enlargers come out of their consumer division. The commercial division closed entirely some time back. But anyone with a basic shop skills could refurbish any number of these brands for decades more of reliable use.

ic-racer · Jan 27, 2021

It is good to see Kienzle making commercial and smaller enlargers. The recent price sheet shows about $10,000 to $15,000 for the 8x10 model depending on how it is outfitted.

Lachlan Young · Jan 27, 2021

ic-racer said:
It is good to see Kienzle making commercial and smaller enlargers. The recent price sheet shows about $10,000 to $15,000 for the 8x10 model depending on how it is outfitted.

It depends on how you want it set up - a basic 250w halogen C252 bench model is under 5000 EUR, floor standing 1000w colour dichroic versions are about 12,000 EUR, then there's all the various T2525 options that accelerate from just under 12,000 EUR all the way to 50,000 EUR+, dependent on how many fancy computer controlled parts you want. The C120/138/252 and T912/1318/2525 systems seem extremely modular in construction, and largely made from cleverly fabricated components (rather than lots of castings) which will help to maximise the flexibility of the range. One of the rather interesting options with the C252 is that it can be had in bench format, but with a column long enough to handle a 20x24 from 8x10 using a 300mm lens.

De Vere are also now making new 5108s with dichroic heads in small batches in the high 4 to very low 5 figure range, depending on exact set-up. Demand currently rather exceeds supply for 5108s over here currently.

A bench C252 would (I suggest) come very close to resolving most needs for people printing up to 16x20 from anything up to 8x10 - if I hadn't been able to resolve my 8x10 enlarger needs fairly locally, I would have gone for one of the bench models.

DREW WILEY · Jan 28, 2021

15 K isn't bad for a basic 8x10 unit reasonably featured. That's the budget I allowed myself for materials and machining on my entirely custom-made 8x10 additive color enlarger. If it had been built by someone else, I imagine even the prototype would have run $75,000. Ironically, I probably won't even use it this year, and didn't last year. I don't plant to print that big
again anytime soon. My more ordinary 8X10 color enlarger will probably be used instead for awhile, along with my 5X7 additive unit.

Enlarger prices ... amazing

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