I'll add to the "I'm buying an enlarger" threads...

[Stephanie Brim]

I totally lucked out and I wanted to share.

On a whim last night I found a Craigslist post for an enlarger. At the price it was going for I figured that it would've already been gone, but I emailed the guy just in case, remembering that this *is* Iowa and stranger things have happened. He emails me back and says that yes, he's serious, and also that he didn't want to have to ship it.

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/pho/982902657.html

D5XL with Dichro head and accessories for a whopping $300 and a couple loaves of homemade bread.

I am SO freaking excited. I can't even tell you how much I've been jumping around today. I feel somewhat like Christmas is coming a little late this year.

I'm about to search the forums for information. It comes with the manual on CD so I plan to print it and have it with me when I put it together. Any info you can point me to would be great.

 

[Ole]

Congratulations, Stephanie!

(and *bump*)

 

[ic-racer]

Excellent enlarger!

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I've never been so excited. I'm so happy I'm cleaning my house! Well, trying. I'm also looking up enlarger information.

One hour and 15 minutes until Adam gets home and I can tell him the news.

Anyone want to give me ideas as to what lens for what? 80mm for 6x6, obviously, and 50mm for 35mm, but what for 4x5? I was thinking a 150mm and someone else mentioned that a 150mm would be a good fit. I'd like some suggestions, though.

 

[Lee L]

I've never been so excited. I'm so happy I'm cleaning my house! Well, trying. I'm also looking up enlarger information.

One hour and 15 minutes until Adam gets home and I can tell him the news.

Anyone want to give me ideas as to what lens for what? 80mm for 6x6, obviously, and 50mm for 35mm, but what for 4x5? I was thinking a 150mm and someone else mentioned that a 150mm would be a good fit. I'd like some suggestions, though.

Stephanie,

Congratulations. A 150 or most 135 enlarging lenses would do for 4x5. I've used the D5XL for decades in labs and my own darkroom.

Lee

 

[Anscojohn]

BRAVISSIMA, STEPHANIE!!

 

[Jon Shiu]

Congrats! Wonderful enlarger. Always wanted one of those!

Jon

 

[BradS]

WOW! Nice.

Way to score.

Either 135 or 150 will work for 4x5....the 150 is probably better if you're not trying to print super-duper large on the baseboard...and even if you are, you can get pretty darned large prints with a 150 on the D5XL.


Congrats!

 

[mikebarger]

Start with a 135mm and use it for the 6x6 and 4x5!

Mike

 

[mwdake]

Nice find, enjoy it.

I have a D5 with 80, 105, 135 and 150 mm lenses, all Nikkors.
The 135 will work for 4x5 but I use the 150 especially as the click stops on the 135 are a bit messed up.

 

[bdial]

Congratulations Stephanie! The enlarger looks to be in good shape. I am fond of Omegas, though I don't currently use one.

I use a 135 for 4x5, works good. For the post cards I use the 135 for 6x6 negs.

The "clock style" Graylabs aren't so hot for timing with an enlarger IMHO. Mostly because you have to reset them for each exposure, but they are great for process timing. But, it will be fine for now, if you don't have anything else.

 

[Chazzy]

Good choice, Stephanie. There's LOTS more Omega and Beseler stuff on eBay than anything else, so you will have no trouble finding inexpensive lens boards, negative carriers, etc.. I chose Beseler. Incidentally, there's a website where a gentleman gives very good advice about Omega enlargers. I'll try to find the URL, or maybe someone else will give it.

 

[mikebarger]

Steph got her's.

Someone might be interested in this one.

http://springfield.craigslist.org/pho/966611170.html

Mike

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Oh, yeah, and the guy who was going to buy my Minolta backed out...so if anyone needs one it's there in the classifieds. It all goes toward this enlarger.

 

[Claire Senft]

Well if it is Iowa it must be Stephanie because Dorothy knows enough to stay close to Kansas...most of the time. How sweet you are. Enjoy.

 

[matt miller]

Well, if it doesn't work out Stephanie, I have the same enlarger sitting on my back porch waiting for a new home.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

It'll work out. The guy seems really cool.

I'm going to ask him to elaborate on a couple of things, though. For one, he says he met Ansel Adams...so obviously I want to know more about that. But he also said he met John Sexton as well...which makes me even more interested.

Sounds like a guy I would want to sit down and have coffee with.

Really, I can't wait until I can go pick it up. Won't be until the Sunday after this coming, but I think I'll get my money's worth in both the enlarger and the stories that he has.