opinions sought: durst900 enl, jobo cpp2 developer.....

[nexus]

Hi,

As some of you have seen from my previous thread, I was seeking advice on getting a colour enlarger.

I actually remembered a photographer I used to work for and emailed him for advice. It turns out that he's going digital and selling his equipment. He can sell seperately but I'm sure he just wants the lot off his hands. He wants $1500 Australian for it all.

Tonight I checked it out and its old equipment but looks really good.

Its a Durst Laborator 900 autofocus enlarger and Rodogon lenses, which will take 35mm 6X6 and 9X6. He's also selling a Jobo CPP2 developing unit and tanks that takes up to 20X24 inch plus included with it would be dishes, lots of paper B&W and colour, 35 mm film, chemicals and lots of other stuff like a small lightbox and also an ilford drier where I could dry my prints.

He's amenable to me paying him off installments, but I wanted to guage what you experienced people think! Do you think this is worth the money? Both do colour and black and white. I was thinking I could certainly save money in the long run because i could use the automatic developer to devlop my film and make small prints and then use the enlarger for all the "fun" stuff. Plus I could poss do any devloping for friends or allow them to use it for a nominal fee (ie less than a mini lab).

The jobo recycles chemicals as well.

Opinions sought would be great!

 

[Stan. L-B]

Hi Nexus.
The equipment you mention is worth the money if it has been used properly. The JOBO
CPP2 is, in my opinion, the best for film processing and prints both colour and B&W, but it is not automatic other than temp. control. It may be fitted with a lift device which makes the change of chemicals much easier and cleaner.

I also use a Durst enlarger and have done so for many years but mine is a 606, I use a Devere for large format. The enlarger is well up to he job and is worth the investment provided it has not been used to such an extent as to be worn on the racks or rickerty. With the enlarging lens you mentioned it is a bargain if it is all in good condition.

However, I do not think you should be thinking of making any money from the outset from this equipment, as it may be some time before you become competent enough to
enjoy processing other peoples work. That said, you are the only one to be a judge of that.