Wanted: 5x4 enlarger

[seoirse]

Hi All, am on the lookout for a 5x4 enlarger (Durst, Devere or LPL) to enlarge LF Monochrome negs.

Condition need not be excellent but must be fully functional and reasonably priced.

I am willing to travel anywhere in Ireland to collect.

Thanks,
S.

 

[Fintan]

Hi All, am on the lookout for a 5x4 enlarger

Hi Seoirse, you probably have tried all the usual places so I'll give you two suggestions.

I bought mine on ebay from the UK and I agreed in advance with the seller that I would arrange the shipping myself. The Devere 504 I got weighed approx 65kg and it cost approx 100 euro via Interlink couriers which I thought to be very reasonable.

The other suggestion is to call Louise Gunn of Gunns Camera Shop in Wexford street Dublin as she knows all the colleges and people selling gear.

Hope this helps.

Fintan

 

[seoirse]

Fintan, thanks for your reply it's very helpful. I wasn't sure that I could arrange to have a courier delivery, and certainly not for that price.

I will contact Interlink to see what their current range of prices v weights are and then I can look out for some ebay bargains assuming no one else in Ireland has a LF enlarger going a begging.

I know Louise and Kathy Gunn and I agree they are extremely helpful.

Thanks for your help,
Seoirse.

 

[Marcust101]

I picked up an old Leisegang 4X5 enlarger from Louise there 6 months ago, it needed a little work but now works great, just need a few decent negs to enlarge now.

She was very helpful sorting out a few technical problems

marcus

 

[Fintan]

Did you see the DeVere on Adverts.ie ?

 

[seoirse]

Fintan - yes I did see that ad. But the guy is looking €1,200!

I know that it's a nice enlarger and he is selling all of his darkroom bits and pieces with it but €1,200 is surely pushing it a bit - no?

I would rather buy locally for sure but €1,200 or anything like it is not my idea of a bargain when one considers that enlargers are being practically given away these days.

 

[Fintan]

I know that it's a nice enlarger and he is selling all of his darkroom bits and pieces with it but €1,200 is surely pushing it a bit - no?

I would rather buy locally for sure but €1,200 or anything like it is not my idea of a bargain when one considers that enlargers are being practically given away these days.

The enlargers I see being thrown out these days tend to be mostly 35mm/MF of the entry level brands. I've yet to see a 504 at bargain basement prices to be honest. If that guys enlarger is in excellent condition and the lenses are the best model and in mint condition then I would think that he is not asking well above their value.

Personally I would go and see this kit and then decide. Take a look at the prices on secondhanddarkroom.co.uk and novadarkroom.com, those big DeVeres aint cheap.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

GEM 504?

I would be very happy to sell you my old GEM 504. It served me well, but you should update/replace/repair the light head, which is not in a good condition, though it still produces light.

GEM 504 is closely based on DeVere 504 design, e.g. it has focusing and lift knobs at hand level by the base board. It was made in UK by a group that splintered off from DeVere. They are sturdy and nice, but they are not as excellent as DeVeres have been, in my opinion.

The head is a cold cathode also made by GEM. It is old and there are scratches on the milky plastic diffuser (you cannot see the scratches in the attached pic but they are there believe me). The tubes are also past their due. If I were you I would either stick another head on it (used Ilford 500?) or consider replacing with a new cathomag - Aristo in US sell those. Nevertheless, you could have some immediate fun with the head, especially if you like the idea of a cold cathode.

I am based in Co. Wicklow, so if you can collect (it weighs some 50kg) you would avoid paying high shipping costs for the heavy part of an enlarger. If you decided to replace the head at some stage that would save you money as heads tend to be lighter and smaller than the really big 5x4 enlargers.

This GEM comes with glassless negative carrier for 4x5 and a lens board.

So far I kept this beast for sentimental reasons. Besides, putting it on eBay would not make sense as shipping such a heavy thing would be really pricey. So I decided to wait for someone in Ireland to perhaps want it one day.

If you are interested, let me know your offer and when you would like to see it - I will be most reasonable.
Rafal