I was given an entire fully equipped darkroom. Help?

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

So, short story long. A buddy of mine found a fully stocked darkroom in his basement when he moved in. 'Hey 'pot got some picture stuff down here you want it?'

Yes I did.

I'm not sure what is trash or treasure. I threw out a bunch of grimy trays and plastic stuff. Otherwise, although a bit dusty everything seems ok. The enlarger switches on and works, I don't know how to work it though. The one I have is pretty primitive compared. I don't even know how to get the lens off...

I don't think the Unicolor works, the tube is missing its cap although I do have all the reels and plasticy things that go with it. The liquid chemistry is unopened and full. The powders look untouched.

I'm not sure what the yellow things are. EZ Easels or something.

I'll post more as I sort through but this is the gist of it. I got a bunch of slides and negatives that were left in there. Just interesting to see what was going on. I also found a 16mm stainless developing reel. Been looking for one of those for a while.

So, what do I have here?

Edit: Enlarger came with carriers for 110, 126, 135 and 120.

Paul Howell · Jul 22, 2021

The color chemistry may or not viable, the black and white chem is likely still good. The paper is old, at least 13 years old likely much older, could be fogged. You could make a cap for the Unicolor film drum, I made one from a plastic water glass by cutting it down until it fit. The color filters, another question, I have a set of unicolor filters that are still fine, hard to say if your Besler set had faded or not. You can find the manual for the 23C and color analyzer. The black and white film developer is cool, used to make black and white slides.
First step to to get the manual for the enlarger to set it up and making sure it is in alignment. Qustion what lens do you have and does the 23C have a negative carrier? Is there a safe light?

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

Paul Howell said:
The color chemistry may or not viable, the black and white chem is likely still good. The paper is old, at least 13 years old likely much older, could be fogged. You could make a cap for the Unicolor film drum, I made one from a plastic water glass by cutting it down until it fit. The color filters, another question, I have a set of unicolor filters that are still fine, hard to say if your Besler set had faded or not. You can find the manual for the 23C and color analyzer. The black and white film developer is cool, used to make black and white slides.
First step to to get the manual for the enlarger to set it up and making sure it is in alignment. Qustion what lens do you have and does the 23C have a negative carrier? Is there a safe light?

It has an El-Nikkor 50mm, I have other lenses from my other enlarger and a safelight. It came with the full set of carriers.

MattKing · Jul 22, 2021

The white thing with brown rollers and a crank is a squeegee/dryer for RC prints. It probably has suffered from many years of non-use, but it may still work.
And I'm guessing you recognize the roll of the can and bottle opener - it is to open factory loaded 135 film cassettes!

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

MattKing said:
The white thing with brown rollers and a crank is a squeegee/dryer for RC prints. It probably has suffered from many years of non-use, but it may still work.
And I'm guessing you recognize the roll of the can and bottle opener - it is to open factory loaded 135 film cassettes!

Strohs! Makes your prints better. I was hoping someone would know.

wiltw · Jul 22, 2021

Am guessing the enlarger is early version Beseler 23C. Find yourself a user manual.
Don't know how different the later 23CII is, but that user manual might be of value

MattKing · Jul 22, 2021

This looks like the right manual - but there are a lot of similar ones: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_23C(newer).pdf
There should be a plate with the model number on the back.
These are very functional, very flexible and quite robust enlargers, used in many school darkrooms.
There are lots of parts and accessories around - including many new ones still being manufactured by Beseler.

wiltw · Jul 22, 2021

The Beseler PM2L color analyzer is a useful accessory for a color printer. Current prices for PM2L range from $20-80.
I had a PM3L and new price was $600, I paid $150 over 30 years ago, and sold it a few months ago for $75 with add'l programming module.
The metal handle black roller was to roll glossy paper prints against chrome metal coated ferrotyping tins, so it would give the print a high gloss finish when it dried and peeled itself off the tin.

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

MattKing said:
This looks like the right manual - but there are a lot of similar ones: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_23C(newer).pdf
There should be a plate with the model number on the back.
These are very functional, very flexible and quite robust enlargers, used in many school darkrooms.
There are lots of parts and accessories around - including many new ones still being manufactured by Beseler.

wiltw said:
Am guessing the enlarger is early version Beseler 23C. Find yourself a user manual.
Don't know how different the later 23CII is, but that user manual might be of value

I binned a whole bunch of papers. I was in someone else's basement and getting the stuff out as fast and efficiently as I can was a bit of a priority.

wiltw said:
The Beseler PM2L color analyzer is a useful accessory for a color printer. Current prices for PM2L range from $20-80.
I had a PM3L and new price was $600, I paid $150 over 30 years ago, and sold it a few months ago for $75 with add'l programming module.
The metal handle black roller was to roll glossy paper prints against chrome metal coated ferrotyping tins, so it would give the print a high gloss finish when it dried and peeled itself off the tin.

I don't do color printing and I don't think it's something I can see myself getting into. As a B&W setup I think I did well though.

MattKing · Jul 22, 2021

The color analyzer can be used as an enlarging meter in a black and white darkroom - don't discard it.
And here is the jollinger website link for the Beseler 23 CII: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_23C_II.pdf

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

MattKing said:
The color analyzer can be used as an enlarging meter in a black and white darkroom - don't discard it.
And here is the jollinger website link for the Beseler 23 CII: http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/manuals/enlargers/beseler/Beseler_23C_II.pdf

Thanks

Bill Burk · Jul 22, 2021

The enlarger is one of the good ones. The lens should serve well. The analyzer can basically be used like a densitometer.

Cholentpot · Jul 22, 2021

Bill Burk said:
The enlarger is one of the good ones. The lens should serve well. The analyzer can basically be used like a densitometer.

The lens is fungusded. Looks beyond help. Inside of enlarger has some fungus but it's not bad. I need to clean the condenser glass but otherwise the enlarger is ok. Just needs a good cleaning. It goes up to 6x9, I'll hang on to my old one for 4x5.

Paul Howell · Jul 23, 2021

The filters can be used as VC contrast filters, made a filter pack that uses the same combo of Y and M that is dialed in with a color head. If you don't print color just toss the color chemistry or maybe sell on Ebay maybe to someone who like to experiment with cross processing in old chemistry.

Cholentpot · Jul 23, 2021

Update on some of this stuff.

Color analyzer and Unicolor Roller are getting deep sixed, unless someone wants them. Both don't turn on and I don't want to collect more junk for 'Some day'. A bunch of trays, out. Plastic gets brittle and that's that. This also came with a Kodak Home Printer printing box. Looks promising but it's all rusted away inside. Junked.

I sprayed the lens with fungicide and it's out in the sun, not looking promising though. Upper bellows needs to be recemented into place but once it was loose I wiped it down with anti fungal soap so that's good to go. Lower bellows need to be wiped down as does the rest of the enlarger. Good news I see no evidence of fungus on the inside of the bellows or enlarger. Gralabs timer is working. Jinglebell is working. The EZ Easels look useful but that remains to be seen. Everything that can get washed down in the sink is going into the sink.

Any recommendations for re-gluing the bellows?

Cholentpot · Jul 23, 2021

Paul Howell said:
The filters can be used as VC contrast filters, made a filter pack that uses the same combo of Y and M that is dialed in with a color head. If you don't print color just toss the color chemistry or maybe sell on Ebay maybe to someone who like to experiment with cross processing in old chemistry.

Can this stuff be used to develop film? I have a few rolls of whoknows slide film in the freezer.

Bill Burk · Jul 23, 2021

No…. Don’t toss the PM. Use the color analyzer as a densitometer! The seconds scale for instance…. All you do is be working on a test print, find the right exposure time… aim some part of the negative at the meter probe and dial until scale says how many seconds. Then change f/stop or height and read the same spot for the new time. I know it’s hard to make room on the counter for it in a cramped space. But it’s going to come in handy even for black and white

Cholentpot · Jul 23, 2021

Bill Burk said:
No…. Don’t toss the PM. Use the color analyzer as a densitometer! The seconds scale for instance…. All you do is be working on a test print, find the right exposure time… aim some part of the negative at the meter probe and dial until scale says how many seconds. Then change f/stop or height and read the same spot for the new time. I know it’s hard to make room on the counter for it in a cramped space. But it’s going to come in handy even for black and white

The PM doesn't turn on. It's kaput. I'll plug it in and give another whirl to see if it does anything but as of now it seems to be a nice retro paper weight.

logan2z · Jul 23, 2021

Cholentpot said:
Any recommendations for re-gluing the bellows?

Scotch Weld #4799. That's what Beseler uses at the factory.

Cholentpot · Jul 23, 2021

Bill Burk said:
No…. Don’t toss the PM. Use the color analyzer as a densitometer! The seconds scale for instance…. All you do is be working on a test print, find the right exposure time… aim some part of the negative at the meter probe and dial until scale says how many seconds. Then change f/stop or height and read the same spot for the new time. I know it’s hard to make room on the counter for it in a cramped space. But it’s going to come in handy even for black and white

Had another go at the Meter, a few thumps on the side and its working. Great! Another useful tool in the darkroom.

logan2z said:
Scotch Weld #4799. That's what Beseler uses at the factory.

Thanks! And at $20 a tube it better work. Do I need to scrape the old glue away or just go for it?

pentaxuser · Jul 23, 2021

The picture of Stormy Daniels on the Kodak box must be worth something these days, surely?

pentaxuser

Cholentpot · Jul 23, 2021

pentaxuser said:
The picture of Stormy Daniels on the Kodak box must be worth something these days, surely?

pentaxuser

That's who it is? Didn't much pay attention. That's funny though.

WillofTheWilds · Jul 23, 2021

I sent you a pm on the roller.

logan2z · Jul 23, 2021

Cholentpot said:
Thanks! And at $20 a tube it better work. Do I need to scrape the old glue away or just go for it?

I just applied it directly over the original adhesive, clamped it and left it overnight to dry. It has held up well.

Paul Howell · Jul 23, 2021

Cholentpot said:
Can this stuff be used to develop film? I have a few rolls of whoknows slide film in the freezer.

Good question, it is for printing a reversal print, or a print from a slide film, you could mix a batch and process, just guess on times and temp.

I was given an entire fully equipped darkroom. Help?

Cholentpot

Paul Howell

Cholentpot

MattKing

Moderator

Cholentpot

wiltw

MattKing

Moderator

wiltw

Cholentpot

MattKing

Moderator

Cholentpot

Bill Burk

Cholentpot

Paul Howell

Cholentpot

Cholentpot

Bill Burk

Cholentpot

logan2z

Cholentpot

pentaxuser

Cholentpot

WillofTheWilds

logan2z

Paul Howell

I was given an entire fully equipped darkroom. Help?

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency