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Help: First darkroom

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snaggs

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Feb 18, 2005
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323
Location
Perth, Austr
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35mm
Hi, Im in Perth and about to set up my first permantent darkroom. This has come up,

Durst Laborator 1200 with Ilford Ilfospeed Multigrade 500s Timer and Grade Mixer, in very good condition. 35mm kit: Negative holder and Rodagon 1:2.8 F50mm Lens. 6x6cm kit: Negative holder and Rodenstock 1:5.6 F105mm Lens. 5x4" Glass Negative Holder and Rodagon 1:5.6 F150mm Lens

It looks mint, and is in a darkroom (not in a dusty shed). I shoot 35,6x6 and 4x5. Whilst Id like to shoot 8x10 one day, I have enough to learn. I have heard of Durst, and was dreaming of a 138 one day, but then this is cheap and local.

Daniel.

Ps. If there is anyone in inner suburbs perth who'd like to give some advice, it would be welcome!
 
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You wold have difficulty finding a better enlarger and lenses. Go for it.
 
Regardless of what enlarger you start with you'll do fine, this sound like a fine kit.

The other thing about a first enlarger is that you get to figure out what works and what doesn't for you, makes buying decisions for the next enlarger easier.
 
The other thing to remember as you go forward is that typically the lenses interchange and all the supporting equipment remains.

This also gives you the ability to wait for a really great deal on the "perfect" enlarger.
 
The Ilford 500H light source, 500S power supply, and 500C (or CPM) controller are nice to use. I'd recommend getting a foot switch for it, too. Like all choices, these have their pluses and minuses, but overall, I think it is a good system. If you get it, and have any questions about its functioning or maintenance, I'd be happy to offer advice (from Ireland), and I'm sure you'll find other users of it here, too.
 
Have you got it yet?!!!


Steve.
 
Just contact print your 8x10's for everything else grab this. You won't regret it.
 
Another rec to buy it.
It's an excellent setup and as mentioned above contact your 810's.
If you eventually decide to go to 810 look for a process camera to convert to an enlarger. Gonna need to be creative with it though.
 
If I wasn't half a world away, I'd try to beat you to it and I already have a Durst CE 1000 c/w a 450 colour head. :smile:
 
I have a durst 606 that someone who wasn't using it anymore gave me and it works great. (I just looked it up and it's one of their older models ...late 50's era model) I have to agree with the others...go for it.
 
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Do what the man says, I prefer other machines, but what I can offer is relatively local advice, help with odd bits of stuff currently lurking under my d'room bench. That is if you accept Quinninup as local. If you are planning a trip to the Southern Forests soon give me a call or email

Interestingly there are new darkrooms being set up in Manjimup and Denmark (the one in WA), so I would recommend a new APUG group be set up for exhange of equipment and help between people who want to use silver jelly. This includes mixing processing solutions from raw chemicals and alt' processes like cyanotype and gum bichromate

john@jbaphoto.com.au
9773 1288

Dead Link Removed
 
Doh, someone beat me to it. Just so Im ready for next time. How do 138's etc compare with the LPL? What about the standrard durst heads as compared to the ilford.

I just want to do this once.
 
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