Where to find enlarger lamps in Europe

[Jesper]

I'm looking for replacement lamps for a DeVere 5108 since my stock is running low and I wonder if there is a source somewhere in the EU/EES.
I have the colour head for the 5108 but I only use it for B/W so exact colour temperature is not an issue but needs to be about 3300-3400K.
The base is GY5.3, voltage is 120V and the power output is usually 300W but I have been using 250W lamps without any problems.

Does anyone know of a source?

 

[koraks]

If I just Google on "GY5.3 120V" I get a whole slew of product offers of (online) shops. In particular the Osram 93506 pops up a lot, which seems like a suitable product for your purpose.

 

[Jesper]

Thanks for the tip about the Osram lamp but I fail to find a seller in Europe (a lot in the US).

 

[Lachlan Young]

Look for an ELH (300w) bulb. Easy to find.

You can also use ENH (250w, longer life) or ESD (150w, shorter life) bulbs.

 

[koraks]

Thanks for the tip about the Osram lamp but I fail to find a seller in Europe (a lot in the US).

That's odd! If I Google the type, I get a whole string of stores here in The Netherlands. I opened a few links and they're all in the €8 through €15 price range and stock positions look good; ready to ship in most places. E.g.:

OSRAM ENH 93506 120V/250W GY-5,3 175h - Buzz-Shop.nl

? Color temperature: 3150 K Lamp type: Halogen lamp Lamp type: Clear lamp Lamp type: High voltage lamp Base: GY5.3 Voltage (lamps): 120 V Nominal wattage: 250 W Color of light: White Dimmable: Yes Operating voltage (lamps): 120,, V Weight: 0.03 kg Ecodesign regulation: Yes Special product: Not...

www.buzz-shop.nl

https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/osram-enh-93506-120v-250w-gy-5-3-175h

I also get a lot of hits on Osram type 64634, but I haven't checked compatibility for that one.

Not sure if the links above work in Sweden, and if international shipping makes sense. But given the availability here, not too far from Sweden, I'd be surprised the item would be very hard to find where you live. In case you can't find anything, I'd be willing to order for you and forward to Sweden, but the additional shipping will of course add to the bill. It'd make more sense to try and order locally, but as a last resort, I'd be happy to help out.

 

[Jesper]

Thanks a lot Koraks for helping me out. I'll try the Dutch links.
I've ordered from KHB in the past but customs have been frustrating. When the package reached Sweden I got a message saying that if I didn't pay VAT and some other expenses they would send the shipment back and I spent almost two weeks trying to find out how much I should pay and to which account while receiving reminders every other day that if I didn't pay they would send the package back.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, the process of importing can be frustrating sometimes. Most carriers I've used so far have by now streamlined the process so that the customer receives an email with the amount to be paid and several payment options. After payment, the parcel is expedited and usually received within a few days. I imagine that perhaps in Sweden the situation is currently similar.

Things get nasty when packages that aren't subject to VAT are still treated that way. I've received prints in print exchanges from abroad that were shipped as a parcel, and because of this, taxes were levied on them based on an unrealistically high estimate of the value of the contents. It's technically possible to get a refund, but the appeal process is slow and involves sending an actual letter and then lengthy email correspondence with the postal service. Ultimately, a full refund doesn't even happen because initial handling charges are not refunded - just the tax paid.

Anyway, in case you need my help ordering some bulbs, just let me know. Since we're both in the EU, VAT would be paid upon purchase of the bulbs here, and the only additional costs will be the cost of shipping the parcel over to you. There should be no taxes levied since it's an intra-EU shipment.

 

[Jesper]

Ordering should not be a problem and thanks again for your help.

I must say that I expected to get a mail saying something like: pay this amount to this account and give this reference number so that we can release your package. But I only got one saying that I needed to pay and if I didn't they would send the package back.

Every contact with them after that started out with them trying to explain why I needed to pay and me explaining that I would be delighted to pay but as long as didn't know how much or to which account I couldn't which seemed to come as a surprise each time. I think it took five or six calls and mails before I got the information and I managed to pay with less than 24h before the package was returned.

A lot easier to deal within the EU.

 

[koraks]

I must say that I expected to get a mail saying something like: pay this amount to this account and give this reference number so that we can release your package. But I only got one saying that I needed to pay and if I didn't they would send the package back.

Yeah, I would have expected that too! It's a quite ridiculous process the way it went. Sheesh!
Intra-EU business is so much easier, indeed.