Enlarger problems.

[Stephanie Brim]

I can't find one. I mean, there's a noticeable abundance of them on Ebay, but none are near me. Unless you can count near to be 200 miles away, I seem to be screwed in a very uncomfortable place. The back of a Volkswagon, perhaps.

I've put things on the local radio in hopes that someone would have one around here they'd be interested in selling, but that didn't work. I've put the word out at the various camera shops in Ames that still sell film gear that I'm looking for something if they get in a used one. I've looked everywhere.

What's really frustrating is the fact that I have a house now and I have plenty of room to finally put a darkroom somewhere. Not just a dry dark room, but a darkroom with running water and built-in shelving and tables.

One of these days I'll get lucky and I'll find something, but it seems like it'll be a while from now. I'm going to look into just getting them shipped now, methinks, because I'm getting tired of waiting for one to show up near enough to me to be able to just go pick it up.

Frustrating.

[sepiareverb]

Don't despair right off- the plumbing & sink-making can take a long while- I worked on my present darkroom for almost a year before I printed in it. (Yes, I was a little anal about it, but this is my last one and I wanted it right)

Call some local commercial or editorial photgraphers too- most never use film anymore and might want anybody to come clear out their darkroom for them. A student of mine drove down to NYC to get a complete darkroom for free- 45MX enlarger, print dryer, dev. cans, the works. No shop would buy the stuff from the photographer or even take it for free.

[Stephanie Brim]

Free plus shipping would be a godsend right now.

I'll just save up more money, but the enlarger is really the only hurdle I have to jump now to get my darkroom set up. If I can get the enlarger, I can get paper, trays, tongs, etc pretty easily...none of that stuff is heavy. :P

[rogue_designer]

craigslist?

[Stephanie Brim]

Haha. Day after I posted this I found one. Dave Totten, a local photographer, came in and told me that he's been wanting to get rid of his darkroom stuff. So I'll be buying at least his enlarger and some chemistry that he has. I now thank him for going digital...kinda.

[sepiareverb]

Those local pros are the best option these days. Excellent news- you may get all the trays and etc. too?

[Stephanie Brim]

I should get some trays, chemistry, tongs, etc. I'm going to ask him to quote me a flat amount on the stuff I really need used, then buy a few things new. My gorilla clips, a clothes line, and my wall-making materials.

[sepiareverb]

Let the games begin!

[danwilly]

Is this a great website or what?

[Sisyphus]

Where do you live? Just curious--congrats on your new stuff!

[Stephanie Brim]

He never called me back...so still no enlarger.

[CameraQuest]

you can place a wanted ad on CameraGAS for Free...
probably for a while in fact
until web traffic and ads make it a viable selling community.

Stephen

[Stephanie Brim]

I'm gonna wait a bit now, I think.

[slad]

Hi Stephanie,
Have you had much luck finding an enlarger? If not, and you don't mind paying the shipping, I have an Omega B22 that I can send you. It's currently dissembled but I do believe I have all the parts. It has been well used but it's still servicable. When I have the time tonight I'll estimate the weight for shipping from NY and tell you what it will cost. If you are interested just leave a reply.

[Stephanie Brim]

Yeah, I'm interested. All I really want to do at this point is learn to print...and I'm using all 35mm at the moment. So let me know.

[amateriat]

How funny this is: I also have a B22 I'd like to let go of (no darkroom set-up space), with digital timer/foot-switch, lens (50mm EL Nikkor), and other assorted items (but no trays...sorry!). I'd keep it if there was a chance of setting it up, but, alas, no go.


- Barrett

[Stephanie Brim]

Define "other assorted items". I'll be able to get trays no problem. :)

[amateriat]

Solid. PM sent.


- Barrett