What to look for in a used enlarger?

I'm going to take the plunge, get an enlarger and set up a darkroom in my apartment (bathroom to be more specific - it'll be tear down every time which is a pain but it's the only way...) Since this is a pretty big investment for me and I'm going to be buying used, I'd like some suggestions on what to look for when I'm checking out enlargers for sale from private parties.

I'm specifically looking at a Beseler 23C for 35mm & 2 1/4 work. Other than bellows in great condition, smooth hand crank, working light, non-scratched lenses, etc. what else should I be looking for? What should I ask?

It seems more cost effective to buy a darkroom lot - as in enlarger plus timer, reels, tanks, safelights and so on...but I am a little nervous of getting stuck with a bum enlarger and not having the protection of refund or return.

Thanks much for any suggestions or advice.

estrellita said:

I'm going to take the plunge, get an enlarger and set up a darkroom in my apartment...

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congrats! ive been using a bathroom based darkroom for years now. i've been lucky enough to live either alone or with someone who undersood my personal needs

i live in the bay area as well. i keep an eye on craigslist - there seem to be a number of used enlargers (and complete darkroom sets) for cheap, some of the lots are $200 and less. i take it this is where you're finding gear?

there also happens to be a camera show in san jose this coming weekend, january 21st. go to http://www.photofair.com/ for details. a great place to look for cheap stuff. last fair i went to, i came home with an arm full of free paper! sometimes you can find sets of things (trays, bottles, etc) for cheap and even haggle with the sellers. you might be able to negotiate a return policy with a local seller.

i bought a 23C-II from K&S in palo alto. things i looked for are -
when cranking, does the head go up and down smoothly?
do the knobs tighten down well?
more for me - do i know where to get replacement bulbs?

i didnt know much myself at the time. maybe others here will have good criteria? i just wasn't too picky i guess

Dear Estrellita,

For years I did just what you are describing using an old Omega D2. It's not that hard once you get organized. As long the enlarger is in good shape, there really isn't anything to go wrong or wear out. I don't know anything about the Beseler, but a dichroic head makes life a lot easier (if that model doesn't have one).

Neal Wydra

Heya,

in the past couple of years, I picked up a 6x7, 6x9 (23C), 4x5 and 5x7 enlargers. Total price: $40.

I had to upgrade some lenses ($25 for a Nikkor 50mm 2.8 and $20 for a schnieder 105mm). Add some lens boards, and easel and other stuff and the price starts to come up a bit--but, the basic lesson is that there are more enlargers in the world than people who want them. If you spend real money, get good quality (I have to remove the dead spiders from mine...).

Things to look for

1) good lenses. Don't get too stressed on this, as you can buy them off of eBay for reasonable (read--ridiculously low) prices. The Beslar lenses are not highly rated.

2) look for a setup with a 105mm lens, if you are going to do 6x9 work. As noted above, you can get them reasonably on eBay.

Ask when the owner last used it. Ask if it works. If it is a condensor-type, there isn't a lot to go wrong. I have heard that the 23C can have bad gears for raising and lowering the head--people lock the gears then make them move anyway, stripping the plastic gears.

The photo-fair is a good suggestion. The prices are not rock-bottom low, but they are good. Be careful, though, when I was first setting up my 23C, I went to the photo-fair. I was so eager to do something *NOW*, that I got a bunch of stuff, including a Nikkor lens. Paid too much at $40. Paid way too much at $40 considering that it was the 50mm f4 model. Not a bad lens, but people can't give them away on eBay.

Try to get as much stuff with it as possible---lens carriers, lens, lens-board, filters, trays, etc. You can find the stuff easily enough (unless you get a schnieder 105mm lens---which takes a small jam-nut and lens-board), but when you get the enlarger you will want to make prints NOW!

Matt

Make damn sure you can perfectly align your used enlarger. I have owned about ten of them over the years, and it is such a pain in the butt if you have trouble getting the three planes -- negative carrier, lens board, and baseboard -- all to line up perfectly parallel. With a 23C, this is likely not to be a problem, as they are very well constructed, but if the chassis ever got dropped, or whatever, it could be a problem.

Hey there lady, long time no see. Get hold of Gaylons I think I have his id spelled right, but you never know with me. He might still have his second enlarger that he would sell you. He is in Pleasant Hill not far from DVC.

Others have given good advice. I wouldn't get too hung up on a specific model unless you know you've got very specific and unusual needs that only a few models will meet. I have no experience with the Beseler 23C specifically and so can't offer any advice on that particular model. One general piece of advice is to be sure that the enlarger comes with all the accessories (negative carriers, etc.) that you'll need. These can be difficult to find and expensive to buy separately, particularly if the enlarger is an oddball model that's out of production, like the Philips PCS130 I've got.

You might want to check out this site, which shows a darkroom-in-a-bathroom setup. It's not a very elaborate site, but it does show one way to make everything fit in a very compact space. Note that the site's author uses a Nova vertical slot processor. These save a lot of space but are expensive for what they are, especially new. You might want to keep an eye out for one at the camera show others have mentioned and/or on eBay. If you're the handy type you might be able to make your own vertical slot processor.

Estrellita,

Probably the most imprtant aspect of an enlarger is that the negative stage, the light source and the printing surface are level for any given enlargement size. Take a negative holder for 35 mm and one for 120 and tape two hairs from corner to corner of the openings; focus the center of the hairs crossing and all four corners should be in focus at any height (some Beselers 23C tend to "nod" as you crank them up and loose focus). If all four corner are in focus and the lighting is even, check for smooth moving parts. Good luck !

Peter

The 23C is a fine enlarger, but would not be my first choice for a darkroom to be torn down after each use. It's certainly usable, but I'd tend toward something more compact such as an Omega B22 or a Durst 6xx series. However, they would limit you to 6x6 I believe and also won't be as commonly available as the 23C.

You can easily spend as much money on a few negative carriers as the enlarger itself, so there is a definite advantage in a package. Also, make sure they're readily available if not in the package (which could be a problem with the Durst).

Consider one of those restaurant carts (plastic, upper and lower shelves, on wheels). It would allow you to move everything at once and put less strain on the enlarger (i.e. help keep it in alignment). I think it would still have to be moved to a more stable base while in use. Assuming the cart would fit through the door of course.

I knew someone years ago that semi-permanently dedicated the bathtub for both wet and dry side. But (hopefully) not an option if it's your only bathroom. Another person permanently mounted his enlarger over the toilet, with a baseboard that was removable.

To add to jschlach comments, I'd also want to make sure that all the electrical wiring is in good shape and that the baseboard is not cracking or warped. If you stick with something relatively common (like the Beselar, Omega, or Durst), you're likely to be able to find parts. I would assume that the enlarger is out of alignment and plan on having to do that.

I'd suggest a "wanted" post on Craigslist (if in your locale) to see what pops up. As to the Photofair, if there is enough of a selection, show up the last hour or two of the last day. It will be "Let's make a deal" for large items that people don't want to haul home.

Best deal on lenses are those from high-quality but uncommon sources (Fuji, Minolta). Another lens that I think is good from a price/performance standpoint is the Rodenstock Omagaron. It's often "lumped" together with the real cheapies (basically a four-element lens for a 3 element price). But, as noted above, lots of deals on enlarging lenses on eBay.

I assume you have a GFI in your bathroom. If not, you should put one in.

rhphoto said:

Make damn sure you can perfectly align your used enlarger. I have owned about ten of them over the years, and it is such a pain in the butt if you have trouble getting the three planes -- negative carrier, lens board, and baseboard -- all to line up perfectly parallel. With a 23C, this is likely not to be a problem, as they are very well constructed, but if the chassis ever got dropped, or whatever, it could be a problem.

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I can't agree more. A good column is what you need first. If it's bent, you cannot align the enlarger itself. Everything else is very much swappable as you go.

You can't go wrong with a 23C. I've had one for 15 years and it is a real positive workhorse. I second the alignment comments. My only suggestion is to get a cold light head to go with it.... I know this is going to start up a debate, but that's what I tend to do lately... By the way, I wouldn't buy an enlarger to fit the darkroom. I'd by the enlarger to fit your photography. For years, I used a laundry room and had to breakdown and set up. My 23C was a bit of pain for that, but I was doing photography to make good prints; so, it was worth the trouble.