Should I jump on this?

Riccis

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Oct 16, 2008
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Location
South Florid
Format
35mm
What do you guys think about this for $500? It's all brand new...

Beseler 67XLC Condenser Enlarger Valu Pack
Beseler Dust Cover
Beseler 11 x 14 universal Easel (4 bladed)
Doran me-41 Easel
Bestwell Microsight 25x focusing Aid
Beseler Digi-Timer Enlarging Timer
Doran 5 x 7 safelight w/oc filter
2 Delta Mix-up cup 22 oz
2 Beseler Graduate 36 oz.
Beseler Graduate 21 oz.
Beseler Graduate 3.5 oz
Beseler Photo thermometer
Hakuba Lightbox 810
Hakuba AC Adapter
3 Paterson 12 x 16 developing tray - gray
3 Paterson 12 x 16 developing tray - white
Doran 11 x 14 x 5 hyp tray
2 GB Bamboo print tongs (set of 3)
Delta 1" camel brush
x Doran 11 x 14 adjustable paper safe
saunders 12" print squeegee
Testrite DG Dodging kit
Doran RC print air dryer
2 Jobo Siphon pump
Delta Black Out Plastic Cloth 4 x 16 roll
2 Delta Filter Funnel 16 oz
4 GB Storage Bottle 128 oz
Bogen Glow tape 1/2" x 5 yards
Retouching methods (6) spotone bw print reto
GB 0 Sable retouch brush
GB 00 Retouch brush
GB 000 Retouch Brush
5 Kodak d-76 developer 1 qt
5 Kodak Dektol Developer 1 gal
5 Kodak fixer 1 gal
5 Kodak fixer 1 qt
Edwal Hypo Check 4 oz
2 Heico Perma Wash 1 qt
Kodak Photo Flo 200 solution 4 oz
Doran 5-35mm reel film washer
Ilford Anti Static Cloth 13 x 13
Beseler Voltage Stabilizer on enlarger
Doran 11 x 14 Rapid Print Washer

Thanks,
 

Curt

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Enlarging lens and negative carriers?
 

MattKing

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Here is B&H's listing for the Enlarger value pack alone (at $789.95):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/152320-REG/Beseler_6782K_67XLC_Condenser_Enlarger_Value.html#features

So if "brand new" matters to you, the entire package is a good deal.

The enlarger is a good one - essentially the same as the enlarger I used for 30+ years, and still retain as a backup.

The lens isn't anything to write home about, but higher quality used lenses are plentiful and cheap, and you can re-use the lensboard.

Accessories for the enlarger are available new (expensive) and used from a number of sources.

The rest of the package looks very functional.

You could probably save money if you were patient and relied on the various sources for used equipment, but you would have to be patient.

New is nice, when you can .

Matt
 

Ray Rogers

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Thomas Bertilsson

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That's an amazing deal. Especially since it's new.
 

BobNewYork

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GO for it. These enlargers are good, solid work-horses. At $ 500 you really can't go wrong. As for the Focomat - who do you think you are?.......Ralph Gibson????

Bob H
 

fotch

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There are better deals out there if you have time and patience. If you want it sooner and have the money, go for it. The enlarger itself is excellent.
 

jeroldharter

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I don't think I would buy it, but of course it depends. If you really want new equipment in a ready to go bundle, then this is a compelling deal and you won't find better.

But if you don't mind used, then you could get a 4x5 enlarger (Beseler 45 MXT) with either a condenser or cold light head, negative carriers, lenses, etc. for less than that.

The Saunders "Universal" 11x14 easel is not the same as the professional 4-bladed easel. It is adequate but much lighter and easily nudged when printing multiple copies of the same print. I had one and threw it away as they go for next to nothing used.

So I think you could do much better buying used for the big ticket items and buy new trinkets like trays, bottles, etc.
 

John Jarosz

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May 17, 2006
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Fairfax Iowa
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As others have said, it's not a bad deal; not great, but not bad.

You don't say how old you are or how long you've done photography, so maybe what follows doesn't apply:

There are lots of opportunities to get a 4x5 enlarger, (D-2 or Beseler) that may be more advantageous in the future. A 4x5 enlarger will give you more uniform illumination and more enlarging range. As time goes by you may want to see what all the fuss is about with large format.

I regularly see 4x5 enlargers going for very cheap on Craig's list. They take up a lot of space and most people have no clue what they are for.

Of course, if you buy this kit, all you'll need is a 4x5 enlarger to move up in size, but there won't be much residual value in a naked 6x7 enlarger.

Good luck,

John
 

Rick A

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Laurel Highlands
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NO DONT JUMP ON IT!!! That would render everything unusable. Buy it, then you can use it. Really, it looks like a decent deal to me-----Hey-- maybe I'll buy it before you do, then I CAN PLAY WITH IT!!!!! bwahahahaha.

Rick
 

fschifano

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Valley Strea
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Riccis said:
Yes, those are included as well along with a bunch of Ilford paper... I'm really looking for a Leitz Focomat enlarger but I guess the Beseler 67 xlc will do in the interim... Any opinions on this Beseler model?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

After using the Beseler 67 for a while, you may decide that you're happy enough with it. It is a good enlarger, and spare parts, should you ever need any, are available and relatively inexpensive. The Leitz Focomat will command a higher price, and I don't think it will improve the quality of your prints at all. As long as the enlarger can be aligned, is stable, can be focused accurately, and provides even lighting, there's not much more that it needs to do. Autofocus is nice, but not much of a big deal really.
 
OP
OP

Riccis

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Messages
12
Location
South Florid
Format
35mm
Don't know how much it matters but I am 34 and a fine art documentary wedding photographer (you can see some of my work at my site www.riccisvalladares.com and blog www.riccisblog.com). I am a 100% film shooter (with about 95% of that is done in B&W and the rest in color). I use Leica Ms for all my work, this is why I don't need an enlarger with MF or LF capabilities as I will not have use for it. I use a darkroom in South Beach but want to build one at my place.

Cheers,
 

Vincent Brady

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what are you waiting for?
 

MattKing

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The Beseler 67 series enlargers work very well with 35mm.

Get a colour/diffusion head as well, and you will have a lot of flexibility.

Matt
 
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