Unrealistic expectations / equip prices?

BradS · Apr 11, 2009

What happened to the price of used Darkroom equipment? A few months ago, people were literally giving away enlargers "Please just come and pick it up"....now, everything around here has gone crazy. Omega D-2 on the local craigslist are advertised at $350 -$500!!! There's even a guy trying to tell me his Omega D2 and ancilliary darkroom set up is worth $750 !!!!

Seriously?

chriscrawfordphoto · Apr 11, 2009

People are desperate for money now, and they're just asking ridiculous prices for stuff. Look at people on CL selling old 35mm SLRs that aren't worth $50 and they're asking $400 for a body with a couple of off-brand zooms.

BradS · Apr 11, 2009

I shouldn't even be looking - I have a well used Omega D2 and almost another one in parts. I've got two Beseler 45MX chassis (and no damed light sources that work!!!! GRRRRR!). I keep looking for Beseler light sources and keep coming across these outrageous adverts on craigslist. There's even a guy on eBay trying yet another week with a pathetic looking D2 chassis (only! no head! ) for the low, low buy-it-now price of $139 !!!!! WTF?

David Brown · Apr 11, 2009

BradS said:
I keep looking for Beseler light sources and keep coming across these outrageous adverts on craigslist.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BESELER-45-MX-I...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:1|39:1|240:1318

ic-racer · Apr 11, 2009

I have noticed that same thing. I was thinking with the US economy in the bucket, prices would go down. But what I think is happening is that old stuff around the house is interpreted as having unrealistic worth, so the seller can make up for losses elsewhere or something.

ic-racer · Apr 11, 2009

Personally I think we should have a "Good deals I saw today..." thread and a "What's this guy on..." thread.

jmcd · Apr 11, 2009

You could always make an offer!

A lot of asking prices might for sure be sky high right now, but before I think they were simply too low.

Curt · Apr 11, 2009

Brad I noticed the very same thing, it seems that there is less and they want more $$. I have a Beseler 45 M, the newer black model with the large plate on the bottom of the lens stage, with an Aristo and the old bulb type, I got two Beseler heads and on one which had dials and needed a controller to make it work I scrapped the boards and direct wired the bulb socket to take a 120 volt bulb and it is up and running. I figured that if I did find a head that worked it would be killed in transit so I made one that works great. It's the one bulb with dichroic filters that provides CMY. The other head has three bulb behind filter sets. I have them out and will be making a new head with them. Maybe a 5x7 or 8x10 for my Durst 138, couldn't find a good head for it either. There is sits outside the darkroom with a 240 Rodagon and negative holder with no light source. Life's great isn't it?

nsurit · Apr 11, 2009

Some folks don't know what their stuff is worth. I've picked up some good deals on Craigslist, have sold some stuff on Craigslist and have had a few good laughs from folks who advertise stuff there.

I did buy an enlarger on Craigslist about a year ago . . . $900. It wasn't such a bad deal and was what it was worth to me. The enlarger? A Zone VI 5X7 type 2 with four lenses and the associated negative carriers. Oh and an archival print washer, a timer, bunch of trays (some large new ones), new replacement bulb for my safelight, a bunch of various graduates, drying screens, a 16X20 and 11X14 easel, gadgets and doo dads. Did I mention a 9 ft custom stainless sink which has just been installed in my new darkroom.

Guess what we need to do with Craigslist is look for what we need and make offers on the stuff that is overpriced. I've tried to educate a time or two. Sometimes it is appreciated and other not. Bill Barber

mwdake · Apr 12, 2009

I think some people, especially on Craigslist, price their stuff based on what they paid for it 10 or 20 years ago.
They seem to figure I paid $400 for it so it must be now worth at least half that.
That is why we see people asking big money for cameras that are only worth 1/2 or 1/4 of their asking price.

Ian Grant · Apr 12, 2009

There's far less LF darkroom equipment on Ebay these days, a great many pro's & lab's have already cleared out unused items and this has resulted in second hand prices rising again. There are still bargains but they are far less frequent. The same thing is happening with LF camera's and lenses.

Ian

Rick A · Apr 12, 2009

Dont be araid to check out pawn shops, then dicker with them, they want to sell stuff not keep it. Also look in thrift stores. My wife picked up a like new Omega C-700 complete w/ Schneider 50mm lens and 35mm glassless neg carrier. The unit is pristeen and ready to use ---She paid $12.30 with sales tax!!!!!!!!! It now resides in our dark room and is used 2-3 days a week. We have an identicle C-700 found at a yard sale with 2 Gralab timers 50 and 80mm lenses and neg carriers for 35 and 6x6, and most of the rest of his equiptment for a whopping $10. If you do eBay set a limit on how much you're willing to spend, and dont get caught up in the bidding. Threr are still bargains to be had, so long as you have patience, and LOOK AROUND.
Rick

Roger Thoms · Apr 12, 2009

I have noticed the same thing especially on CL. I have also noticed that a lot of the high priced stuff keeps getting relisted. There are also still deals out there. I recently bought a whole darkroom set up of CL for $150 including a very clean D2V with condenser and cold light, Saunders 20x24 easel, Zone VI print washer, tons of trays, tanks, reels, graduates, paper, etc. All very nice equipment.

Roger

resummerfield · Apr 12, 2009

Ian Grant said:
There's far less LF darkroom equipment on Ebay these days.....

I think people price their items based on how "rare" they think the item is. With less items on Ebay, the item appears to be more "rare".

Ian Grant · Apr 12, 2009

4 years ago when I wanted a 10x8 enlarger there were usually 2 or 3 De Vere's on Ebay any time I looked and also quite a large number of De Vere 5x4's, now there are very significantly fewer. Today there's just one De Vere enlarger listed.

Often it pays to buy complete darkrooms as Roger says above. On many occasions the sellers want minimal hassle and selling everything at once makes sense, they want some monetary return but aren't after getting the maximum possible. This usually means fair/bargain prices for the buyer.

Ian

bill schwab · Apr 12, 2009

I just got a complete darkroom with stainless sinks, Beseler 45 enlarger, cold light , condensor, safe Lights,timers, trays, gravity works film washer, Zone VI 16 x 20 washer, etc. All in almost new condition... not even a stain.

$200 complete.

RJS · Apr 12, 2009

I have occasionally sold things on both ebay and craigslist and have often run across people who seem offended that I am asking more than they wish to pay. Everyone wants a bargain. But some of the things I have sold were quite expensive and because I don't much need the money I don't really want to sell. It's an emotional thing as I am physically unable to use the things I have loved and don't like giving them up. And to be told I am some sort of idiot for overpricing is adding insult to injury. I often feel I would rather trash the stuff than give it away to someone just looking for a way to make a fast buck. Too many 'dealers' I think.

BradS · Apr 12, 2009

I am not looking to make a fast buck. Even if I were, I am sure there would be easier and better ways of doing it than trying to resell enlargers that are so big that shipping costs make it prohibitive to sell anywhere but locally.

No, I really don't think it possble to turn a fast buck on a fifty year old enlarger....All I want is to find some good, reliable equipment to use and to share with my young, and interested sons....and possibly to share with others interested in getting into real photography.

yellowcat · Apr 12, 2009

Last year I saw a 10x8 De Vere enlarger, a couple of 504's and a couple of durst printers in a skip out side a pro lab that had gone bust.

removed account4 · Apr 12, 2009

hi brad

maybe the sellers read apug or google and realize
that there is a market for their old-stuff ??

it is the same thing that happened to junk/junque brass lenses ..
now there is some guy named joe or jack in nevada somewhere
talking up a storm on his website and other places on the interweb
about how great these old junky-lenses-that-used-to-be-sold-for-pennies are,
and now they go for hundreds and hundreds of dollars ..

john

RJS · Apr 13, 2009

I must confess I was thinking more of cameras and lenses than of enlargers. What it all comes down to, I think, is that a piece of equipment is worth no more and no less than someone is willing to pay for it. I was just reading that used cars, in a few instances, are selling for as much or more than new ones. My objection is to some rude people who seem to think they are somehow entitled to buy my R - - - or whatever for for what they want to pay. I am yet to hear anyone say "that's a bit more than I am able to pay, do you think you might take a bit less?"

Dennis S · Apr 13, 2009

I have been noticing the price gouge here in Canada as well. Not just DKRM equipment but cameras . What my reasoning is that it is spring time and people "really" need a camera for the summer and the sellers think that they can get more. I have been watching for a few years and it has gone up in the spring but this year is incredible. I am just glad I had my G.A.S. over the last 3 yrs and there is very little I need for equipment. Except for ??? and a few ???? and just maybe one of these ?????

jovo · Apr 13, 2009

I just bought a Saunders LPL 6x6 negative carrier on the bay for about a third or less of what it's actually worth. I'm speculating that, because it was listed as "used, old stock", it was just cluttering the shelf at the camera store that was offering it. It arrived today in extraordinarily fine condition. Interestingly, this store is also offering the exact same item as "new, old stock" for three times the price. So...I'm guessing that a pencil pushing bean counter, who didn't bother to check the current market, chose a price that would clear the stock ( a business decision ) without knowledge of the value of the item ( an informed about the worth of the item to those who would buy it decision )! May such folk continue to purge their larders of "old stock" to the enormous benefit of we, the impecunious and grateful!!

BradS · Apr 13, 2009

RJS said:
I must confess I was thinking more of cameras and lenses than of enlargers. What it all comes down to, I think, is that a piece of equipment is worth no more and no less than someone is willing to pay for it. I was just reading that used cars, in a few instances, are selling for as much or more than new ones. My objection is to some rude people who seem to think they are somehow entitled to buy my R - - - or whatever for for what they want to pay. I am yet to hear anyone say "that's a bit more than I am able to pay, do you think you might take a bit less?"

I have to agree...I can't stand rudeness of any kind - even my own. I don't try to tell sellers what their stuff is or isn't worth...I usually just say, "...that's more than I had in mind or more than I can afford. Thanks. " or, I just get discouraged and keep looking...well, and whine about it a little to my like minded friends.

wildbill · Apr 20, 2009

Darkroom Equipment - $5000 (Hollywood)
Reply to: sale-hpjsr-1130353958@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-04-19, 5:09PM PDT

BRAND NEW NEVER USED!Bessler b/W 45 mxt dark room set up
includes enlarger, condenser, lens, enlarger chassis and adjustable table, easel, and other accessories. Everything is BRAND NEW NEVER USED! I bought the set up a few years ago but moved and never had the chance to set it up. All this equipment retails from around 7,000
serious request only

* Location: Hollywood
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

Unrealistic expectations / equip prices?

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