Want to Buy WTB: Old Art-Deco Kodak Densitometer: Model 1, Model RT or 'Color Densitometer'

[holmburgers]

I'm not sure of all the models that were made, but I'm in the market for one of these old bakelite beauties that is in excellent working condition.

I'll be using it primarily for black & white, but would like to have the option of color. I think that this means I'm looking for an RT or the 'Color Densitometer' model. I'd be interested in hearing about Model 1's as well.

I'd like to pay somewhere in the $30 range (+/-), including shipping. I'd be willing to pay more for a spectacular example with extra's, etc.

Anyways, let me know what you have and we'll work something out. Thanks!

 

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[Jim Noel]

Shipping could eat up as much as half of your $30 budget. The transformer in those things is not light. Also to keep the bakelite safe a lot of padding is necessary.

 

[holmburgers]

Good call Jim.

We'll just have to play it by ear, case by case. I really want a clean example and am willing to pay accordingly, but they do come up every once in a while on eBay for less than $40 with shipping included, and I'm on a shoe-string budget.

I'd prefer to deal with someone on APUG though, and "excellent working example" doesn't mean it can't be a little dusty.

 

[holmburgers]

BUMP.

 

[holmburgers]

BUMP

If you've got one and my asking price is the issue, don't hesitate to entice me.

 

[holmburgers]

Yeah I saw those, but I thought maybe they were a little on the junky side...

Have you ever seen one in person?, do you think that they're rugged enough to just need a cleaning at this point?

 

[L Gebhardt]

I had one and sold it a while ago. Unfortunately it got destroyed during shipping. I thought I had it well packed, but apparently not. So if you do get one make sure the seller packes it well. Mine worked well, but was not as repeatable as the digital unit I replaced it with. Plus the color filters may have faded a bit so it wasn't great for color work. Good luck.

 

[holmburgers]

Ahh, I wondered about the color filters. I wonder if those could be replaced with the appropriate wratten filter?

So yeah, that's why I'm kind of hoping to find a "closet classic" or something. I'd pay more for a really clean example.

 

[holmburgers]

That's good to know. I think if I can get a really clean old Kodak Color Densitometer and keep on top of the filters, I'll be set. I assume the filter patches are really small.

As you've demonstrated, it pays to have a huge collection of old filters!