Where to buy darkroom equipment? [Melbourne]

[Green_Blue]

So I've comeback from a couple of months travelling and I've decided to up the ante on my darkroom. So far I have just been getting along with the bare minimum - just a LPL 66-SII with an astron lens and some developing trays. I think it is waste that I have GAS for new lenses when I'm not taking enough effort with my end product. So I thought I should upgrade a bit my current list of things to get are a new enlarging lens probably a nikkor 50 2.8, an easel, maybe a contact printer, a timer and maybe some darkroom lights. I also should probably get a 35mm film holder because at the moment I am just using the 6x6 one with a mask but these seem hard to find.

Is there anything that I'm missing out on? Furthermore where can I buy this stuff from because I had a pop in at vanbar and it is quite expensive and there haven't been many ebay auctions recently that have the stuff that I am looking for; are there any other shops in Melbourne that sell this sort of equipment or should I just wait for the camera market next month?

Chris

 

[jjphoto]

No one wants dark room equipment any more so you'll either struggle to find any new gear (yeah, Vanbar has stuff, and you'll find dribs and drabs in other shops) or it will be next to free on Evilbay or other places. I think forums like this one are a great place to buy that kind of thing.

Be very careful when buying second hand enlarging lenses in particular as many do have fungus, often due to the envirnment they're used and stored in, but often simply due to lack of use for very long periods. The Camera Market is one place you need to really watch out for that. Bring a small torch!

I think the Nikkor 50/2.8 is OK but there are better options, maybe the Schneider Componon-s lenses.

JJ

 

[jordanstarr]

I think the best darkroom giveaways I've seen are in Australia. You shouldn't have a problem finding someone who is more than willing to give away equipment that will produce professional results. I don't know what "used stuff" online classifieds are widely used in Australia, but even on here from time to time, I see great equipment coming from the land down under.

 

[ozphoto]

Check out the Photographic Trader - available at most newsagents.

 

[SMBooth]

The photomarket at Box Hill Town Hall is on next month (Sunday 18th March ) you should be able to pick up gear there.

 

[jford]

What used to be called PICA, http://www.ideaaustralia.com/ has classifieds which often seem to have someone selling off a darkroom.

J.

 

[John Austin]

I have 2 brand new in box never been mounted first generation Schneider Componons here in Quinninup, 50mm and 80mm, for 35mm film and 120 square film - Yes, the description is accurate - They are old, but good

John

 

[Green_Blue]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll pop down to the newsagent and have a look through a copy of the photographic trader. I am definitely going to go to the photomarket in box hill hopefully I can find some stuff but is it one of the markets where you have to turn up early to get the good stuff? Also I've been looking at some easels is there any difference between these types that don't have blades and that do? For example;

Dead Link Removed

and

http://www.vanbar.com.au/catalogue/product.php?id=51584

 

[MattPC]

I think the best darkroom giveaways I've seen are in Australia

Unfortunatly, Australia is big. It seems every bargain I find is 1500km away and weighs 45kg...

Come to think of it, most of those bargains seem to be in Melbourne or Adelaide?

And, I recomend not trying 'that bottle of Rodinal that came in one of the boxlots'. Turns out that stuff does not last forever. I produced 2 perfectly clear rolls of film this morning. At least the fixer worked... (with hindsight, perhaps I should have tried those rolls one at a time!)

MattPC