ridiculously cheap enlarger! what have I done?

mikeb_z5 · Nov 17, 2005

In my usual wanderings trying to pick up great deals on the auction site I ran across this, threw in a lowball bid and won!:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7562270004&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

I know used darkroom equipment is getting cheap on *bay but this is ridiculous.

do I need it? no.(I already have an Omega D6 with everything I need up to 4x5)

Do I still want it? hell yeah!

I know I'll need neg holders and condensers but hopefully it's still worth it. I suppose now I'll have to buy a 5x7 camera to justify owning this beast.

I told the wife about this auction I won today and all she could say is where are you going to put that thing? I say, " But honey you don't understand....."

Ramble over,

Mike

Bob F. · Nov 17, 2005

Blimey! 99 cents - bargain of the century (so far).

Like they say: "be careful what you wish for - you may get it".

You got it!

Have fun! Bob.

resummerfield · Nov 17, 2005

What a deal! Even if you spend top dollar on the condensers and carriers, youll still have a great bargain on a fantastic machine. Those Durst machines are so nice. Congrats!

Neal · Nov 17, 2005

Congratulations! I'm jealous.<g>

Neal Wydra

jd callow · Nov 17, 2005

Wow nice win!

rrankin · Nov 17, 2005

Gee, did you really have to Paypal the guy 99 cents?

Richard

mikeb_z5 · Nov 17, 2005

I knew the good people here would understand

When I talked to the seller he informed me of his reasonable financing plans

I will pickup the enlarger this weekend. I hope he has change for a dollar.

Mike

MurrayMinchin · Nov 17, 2005

What a piece of crap.

You've only been around APUG since Feb. 2004, so obviously you aren't aware of the inadequacies of 5x7 compared to the 8x10 or greater formats. We chuckle under our breath and pity you!

(Psst...wanna make a 100% profit?)

Murray

lee · Nov 17, 2005

now you can look for the two 240 condensers and lens disks for your machine and if you need a neg carrier you can look for that too. My 138s came with all that but I paid a lot more than .99.

Iee\c

vet173 · Nov 18, 2005

lee said:
now you can look for the two 240 condensers and lens disks for your machine and if you need a neg carrier you can look for that too. My 138s came with all that but I paid a lot more than .99.

Iee\c

On the 240 condencers, there is an upper and a lower, and marked as such. I paid a lot more for the one I got. Don't bother to buy a lottery ticket as you have already used up all your luck. John

NikoSperi · Nov 18, 2005

You are really sad... why on earth would you WANT that piece of crap? Pffft... 5x7. No condensors, no lenses... NOT digital!

If you figure out where to set it up, please tell me so I can do the same with my 5x7 IFF enlarger that's parked in my office basement (you paid more than me though)...

laz · Nov 18, 2005

What is e-bay's cut of $0.99?

Ralf · Nov 18, 2005

laz said:
What is e-bay's cut of $0.99?

The poor guy had to pay eBay more than that for just putting the Durst up

Congrats on that beautiful monster. You might consider some reinforcement for your darkroom floor...

janvanhove · Nov 18, 2005

Yup, congrats on the win, 99 cents really is a good deal for that beast...

Welcome down the path to bigger and bigger !

PJ

JHannon · Nov 18, 2005

Wow! great deal... I take it you are close to the "windy city" for pickup..

Best Wishes

Ole · Nov 18, 2005

vet173 said:
On the 240 condencers, there is an upper and a lower, and marked as such. I paid a lot more for the one I got. Don't bother to buy a lottery ticket as you have already used up all your luck. John

The upper and lower 240 condensors are the same, but the mount is different. Just so that the spacing is correct, and the print faces the right way.

I got my 138S with two 240 condensors, then got the rest of the set from Australia. Finding condensors may take a while, and expect to pay more than you did for the enlarger itself

One final piece of advice: I received mine assembled. If you do the same, get someone to help you move it. I carried mine up a narrow flight of stairs to the first floor alone - not a smart move.

JHannon · Nov 18, 2005

Ole said:
One final piece of advice: I received mine assembled. If you do the same, get someone to help you move it. I carried mine up a narrow flight of stairs to the first floor alone - not a smart move.

It must be a monster.. A 5X7 enlarger? I don't know much about the Durst stuff..

Donald Miller · Nov 18, 2005

The Durst 138S is really fairly light weight. It can be disassembled into five pieces really easily. Each of the pieces could be carried by a woman. I moved three of these from British Columbia into the US.

There are a number of differences in condensers...especially regards the enlarging lenses that you want to use. The best thing that you could do for yourself, if the enlarger does not come with it, is to get the manual for it. The Durst manual describes the condensers that correspond to the lenses. There is difference in condensers for different manufacturers of lenses for the same focal length. This is because Durst condensers focus the light at the nodal point of the lens. Don't rely on just the plate on the enlarger head because it is not as complete as the manual.

Good luck you got a hell of a deal. One of the best enlargers commonly on the market today, in my opinion.

gordrob · Nov 18, 2005

Once you have this beast outfiitted with the condensers and neg carrier you will have a wonderful workhorse. EBAY has 4 of the condensors you need as well as the NEGA 138 neg carrier up for auction - very reasonable bids at the moment.

Gord

psvensson · Nov 18, 2005

I'll buy it from your for $2. That's 100 percent profit right there!

df cardwell · Nov 18, 2005

Don't disconnect the spring.

Robert Hall · Nov 18, 2005

df cardwell said:
Don't disconnect the spring.

He says with the sound of experience in his voice.

gordrob · Nov 18, 2005

df cardwell said:
Don't disconnect the spring.

Yes - the spring - this is the last thing you want to play with on this enlarger. Just a word of caution about the spring - make sure you either have the service manual or have a good knowledge of how these work if for any reason you have to make adjustments to the spring. You also should have the special tools required to release or adjust the tension

Gord

mikeb_z5 · Nov 18, 2005

thanks all for your replies. good info here.

I saw a chart somewhere that stated which 240 condenser was matched with specific manufacturers lenses but can't find the website now. Anyone got a link?(it's not the one on the Jensen site. they list the different 240's but not what lenses they go with )

btw I have all componon-s lenses 50, 100, 150 and max neg size right now is 4x5. I also print 35mm, 6x6, and 6x7 if this helps.

I'm really psyched. I wish I could pick it up today!

Mike

vet173 · Nov 18, 2005

condencers are to match to focal length not brand of lens. If some one tells you this condencer is made for such and such lens and you have somthing different just don't tell the enlarger, it can't read. John

ridiculously cheap enlarger! what have I done?

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