Suggestions for a cheap cheap B&W enlarger for 4x5

OptiKen · Nov 12, 2015

I've just started into large format but my enlarger only goes to 6x6.
Any suggestions for a cheap B&W enlarger that will go to 4x5?
I'll be looking around in the used market

Thanks in advance

Ken

RalphLambrecht · Nov 12, 2015

OptiKen said:
I've just started into large format but my enlarger only goes to 6x6.
Any suggestions for a cheap B&W enlarger that will go to 4x5?
I'll be looking around in the used market

Thanks in advance

Ken

I started with an Omega DII before a nice ferry dropped a Durst L1200 into my lap

OptiKen · Nov 12, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
I started with an Omega DII before a nice ferry dropped a Durst L1200 into my lap

Do you happen to have the fairy's phone number?

Rick A · Nov 12, 2015

If you were close by I would make you one heck of a deal on a 5x7 machine.

pbromaghin · Nov 12, 2015

Be patient and look hard, and a free one will fall into your lap. Get the word out to friends and acquaintances. Watch Craigslist and chat up people at camera stores and swap meets. Be ready to pounce instantly. It will happen.

DREW WILEY · Nov 12, 2015

Why not get a good good 4x5 enlarger instead, since they can often be had for free these days. I turn them down all the time since I already
have four pro enlargers and space for no more.

OptiKen · Nov 12, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Why not get a good good 4x5 enlarger instead, since they can often be had for free these days. I turn them down all the time since I already
have four pro enlargers and space for no more.

I would love to get a 4x5 for free. I've started looking through Craigs list and Close 5. LOTS of 35mm enlargers. the 4x5's I've found so far are hundreds.
Still looking...I just started looking today

Paul Howell · Nov 12, 2015

Occasionally you can find an Omega D 2 or Bessler on C-list on the cheap,but at least in Phoenix market for the most part, the days of cheap enlargers are over. The most common inexpensive 4X5 are Federals, made in the 40s and 50s, stamped parts, lacks a hand crank, you can find the model numbers if you Goggle Federal enlarger. Unless you find one within driving distance be prepared to pay for shipping.

btaylor · Nov 12, 2015

When you search craigslist I find that if I just put "darkroom" in as a search term I will often find a mostly whole set up with an enlarger that might be 4x5, much of the time the people selling have no idea what the stuff is. That may help you luck into a 4x5 enlarger cheap. I did, an older Beseler 4x5 with a color head and a newer one with a Minolta head.

Fr. Mark · Nov 12, 2015

Other search terms that might help on Craigslist include bellows, film, vintage, antique and camera.

480sparky · Nov 12, 2015

Yep.... bide your time and it will fall into your lap. Just make sure you network with the right people.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Nov 12, 2015

Most of the people on CL are crackheads who think their old, rust bucket enlarger is still worth what they paid for it in 1980. Some are reasonable, most aren't. (There's a guy who has had a Beseler 45 kit listed on Atlanta CL for $1000, for two years.)

Do not under any circumstances pay more than $100 for a clean enlarger. Most of the times you can pick up a full darkroom for about that much money, or less, sometimes free. It's still worth a few dollars for clean gear. Using worn out equipment is just a hassle.

Make the offer, hear them say no, wait two weeks and make the same offer. They will capitulate because no one is buying and they will finally just want it out of the way for whatever they can salvage.

480sparky · Nov 12, 2015

In addition, don't forget to discount any paper & chemicals offered in a 'kit'. Chances are, the chemicals are long past expired, and someone opened the box of paper to see how much was in it. I've seen CL ads for a box of 78 sheets of paper and chemicals from "a darkroom last used in 1981.....Selling for a friend" for $200.

mgb74 · Nov 12, 2015

Beseler 45s seem to be plentiful and cheap. Set up a CL alert for "darkroom", "enlarger", "beseler", "besler", and "omega", but make sure you include all categories, especially "garage sale", "free" (in addition to photo). Sure, you'll have to kiss quite a few frogs, but your prince (or princess) will turn up.

Rolfe Tessem · Nov 14, 2015

In the US, there seem to tons of Omega D2 enlargers sitting in garages or closets. I even have a couple myself, but I'm on the wrong coast .

Rolfe

Fr. Mark · Nov 14, 2015

another thought: Build one. Enlargers aren't that complicated. Another another thought, find a way to shine a light through the negative while in your camera and use the camera as an enlarger. That's basically all an enlarger is anyway.

OptiKen · Nov 14, 2015

Fr. Mark said:
another thought: Build one. Enlargers aren't that complicated. Another another thought, find a way to shine a light through the negative while in your camera and use the camera as an enlarger. That's basically all an enlarger is anyway.

I was actually wondering if I bought a condenser head for a 4x5 and mounted it in the base and post for my 35mm enlarger if that would work. They seem plentiful and inexpensive and shipping is much cheaper for those

John Koehrer · Nov 14, 2015

OptiKen said:
I was actually wondering if I bought a condenser head for a 4x5 and mounted it in the base and post for my 35mm enlarger if that would work. They seem plentiful and inexpensive and shipping is much cheaper for those

Better off thinking horizontal enlarger rather than adapting a small chassis. Mount the head stationary and use a movable easel/baseboard,. Center the head to the easel. The limitation would be in freedom of cropping unless either the head or easel is adjustable.

Sirius Glass · Nov 14, 2015

About six months ago an APUGger was moving to Florida and was selling his extensive darkroom in the Mar Vista area. I bought an archival print washer and some safe lights. He has three enlargers that he really wanted someone to take. I do not know what happened to them. So keep your eyes open and someone else will have an enlarger for you.

Bill Burk · Nov 14, 2015

I've got a D2 in the rafters. I'd been given it with the thought that I would find a good home for it.

So all we need now is to setup an overland underground railroad enlarger express shipment to get it from me to you.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

OptiKen · Nov 14, 2015

Bill Burk said:
I've got a D2 in the rafters. I'd been given it with the thought that I would find a good home for it.

So all we need now is to setup an overland underground railroad enlarger express shipment to get it from me to you.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Obviously, you've given this a lot of thought.

Bill Burk · Nov 15, 2015

Just not thinking fast enough, a friend who lives nearby is at Disneyland today. Just missed that ride.

OptiKen · Nov 15, 2015

Didn't know you were that close

Alan Gales · Nov 15, 2015

The Omega D2's were used in school darkrooms across the whole country so there are tons of them out there. I gave away one a couple years ago to a young fellow.

mgb74 · Nov 20, 2015

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?126676-Cheap-4X5-Beseler-in-LA

Suggestions for a cheap cheap B&W enlarger for 4x5

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