Newbie...need advise

[Benign]

Hi guys,
I am a newbie but want to try doing my own darkroom. I came across these items:

Durst M601 BW/Colour Enlarger - all sizes up to 60mm x 60mm
BW Enlarging Lens - Schneider-Kreuznach Comparon 1:4/50
Colour Enlarging lens - Agfa Magnolar 1:4.5/105

Are they any good? Please advise....thankss

 

[kahheng]

Hi guys,
I am a newbie but want to try doing my own darkroom. I came across these items:

Durst M601 BW/Colour Enlarger - all sizes up to 60mm x 60mm
BW Enlarging Lens - Schneider-Kreuznach Comparon 1:4/50
Colour Enlarging lens - Agfa Magnolar 1:4.5/105

Are they any good? Please advise....thankss

It does depend on how much you're paying for them and what state the equipment is in.

The M601 was a fairly popular old Durst model (my friend's Dad had one) and this one that you're describing sounds like it has a colour dichroic head, which would make it convenient for variable contrast printing, and using a diffusion chamber, it will tend to show up dust on your negs a lot less easily than a B&W condenser head.

The Comparon is a 4 element Tessar type lens and at the enlargement factor that you'd use it at, it's a competent lens for starters. These types are usually good up to 8x10 size prints for the 50mm ones. If you intend to print larger, you should probably go with the Componons or Rodagons.

I am not familiar with the Magnolar but I would guess it's also another 4 element model. Most 105/4.5 enlarging lenses are. It's unlikely you'd be disappointed with 8x10s printed from 6x6 negs with it. It's a little long for 6x6 though but hell, it does come down to how much is being asked for the set isn't it?

 

[Benign]

Thanks Kahheng the stuffs should be around Sgd$250 to $300 lor. What do you think? :sweat:

The equipments also come along with other things like

Jobotronic timer
Full set Ilford Multigrade Filters (BW Printing)
Focus Finder
2 masking frames (1 small for prints up to 8" x 10" and 1 large)
6 plastic trays
an assortment of plastic jugs, funnels and tongs
1 used Phillips 240V Red Safe Light globe (still works)
1 new (never used still in the box) Phillips 240V Red Safe Light globe
battery operated clock
lamp base (for safelight)
Plus the following unused, unoped chemicals and paper:

1 x litre bottle - Ilford Multigrade Paper Developer
1 x 500ml bottle - Ilfostop Odourless Stop Bath
1 x 1 litre bottle - Ilford Rapid Fixer (film & paper fixer)
1 packet - 8" x 10" Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Glossy paper - 30 sheets (BW)
1 packet - 8" x 10" Multigrade Glossy Fiber paper - 25 sheets (BW)
1 packet - 11" x 14" Multigrade Glossy Fier paper - 10 sheets (BW)

 

[student]

Thanks Kahheng the stuffs should be around Sgd$250 to $300 lor. What do you think? :sweat:
QUOTE]

If this is what you aspire to do, and the enlarger, etc, is in good working order, what are you waiting for?

 

[Benign]

If this is what you aspire to do, and the enlarger, etc, is in good working order, what are you waiting for?

Thanks Student, I want to try it. But I got to do the research first right? :dunno:

There are quite a few sets for sale in the market......as Kahheng just mentioned....the durst is an old model.

Now the problem is for roughly the same price, there is another set for sale:

Darkroom equipment and LPL colour system enlarger C7700 PRO EC $200


So, you know as a buyer, we got to make the right choice ley :embrass: later pple called you 'water fish' then u even more DL. :cry:

 

[ratboy]

If it comes with the
" Full set Ilford Multigrade Filters (BW Printing) "
then i would suspect it to be a condenser head
But still good value for money if all works as it is supposed to .

Then again, i notice you are in Melbourne ?
and i do not know the used darkroom prices there.

 

[student]

Thanks Student, I want to try it. But I got to do the research first right? :dunno:

There are quite a few sets for sale in the market......as Kahheng just mentioned....the durst is an old model.

Now the problem is for roughly the same price, there is another set for sale:

Darkroom equipment and LPL colour system enlarger C7700 PRO EC $200


So, you know as a buyer, we got to make the right choice ley :embrass: later pple called you 'water fish' then u even more DL. :cry:

The most important things are

1 The enlarger itself. As long as it is solid and function well it will be OK
2 The lenses. Like kahheng I do not know much about these lenses. I am sure there are better ones. But I doubt that for the next few years, you will know the difference. As long as they are clean they will make good images.

While these things are going cheap nowadays, my suggestion is take it if it does what you want it to do and if the price is reasonable. I do not look back after I buy something, because you can always get something beter. What matters most is the stuff doing its job and a reasonable price.

Besides, what comes along with this set is just about ready and go!

 

[Benign]

Well, I just notice the same person selling this as well...PATERSON SUPER SYSTEM 4 FILM DEVELOPING TANK PLUS 2 FILM REELS

How much is this tank? sorry guys....I know I am a nuisance :embrass:

By the way, the LPL colour system enlarger C7700 PRO is sold......only the darkroom equipment is left. ;(

 

[student]

Well, I just notice the same person selling this as well...PATERSON SUPER SYSTEM 4 FILM DEVELOPING TANK PLUS 2 FILM REELS

How much is this tank? sorry guys....I know I am a nuisance :embrass:

By the way, the LPL colour system enlarger C7700 PRO is sold......only the darkroom equipment is left. ;(

This is what I mean. If you think that something is reasonable, others will think so. Of course you might get a better one, but it is an unending "game". The little extra over years will not be that significant.

Regarding the tank. Unless you process a lot, I think a standard tank capable of processing two rolls of 35 mm would be more than sufficient.

 

[kahheng]

If it comes with the
" Full set Ilford Multigrade Filters (BW Printing) "
then i would suspect it to be a condenser head
But still good value for money if all works as it is supposed to .

Then again, i notice you are in Melbourne ?
and i do not know the used darkroom prices there.

Oh yeah, Ratboy is right. This Durst probably has a standard condenser head then.

 

[kahheng]

Thanks Kahheng the stuffs should be around Sgd$250 to $300 lor. What do you think? :sweat:

The equipments also come along with other things like

Jobotronic timer
Full set Ilford Multigrade Filters (BW Printing)
Focus Finder
2 masking frames (1 small for prints up to 8" x 10" and 1 large)
6 plastic trays
an assortment of plastic jugs, funnels and tongs
1 used Phillips 240V Red Safe Light globe (still works)
1 new (never used still in the box) Phillips 240V Red Safe Light globe
battery operated clock
lamp base (for safelight)
Plus the following unused, unoped chemicals and paper:

1 x litre bottle - Ilford Multigrade Paper Developer
1 x 500ml bottle - Ilfostop Odourless Stop Bath
1 x 1 litre bottle - Ilford Rapid Fixer (film & paper fixer)
1 packet - 8" x 10" Multigrade IV RC Deluxe Glossy paper - 30 sheets (BW)
1 packet - 8" x 10" Multigrade Glossy Fiber paper - 25 sheets (BW)
1 packet - 11" x 14" Multigrade Glossy Fier paper - 10 sheets (BW)

If you can get it all for S$250, all in good clean condition and the enlarger is perfectly functional, it's a good price.

 

[Benign]

If you can get it all for S$250, all in good clean condition and the enlarger is perfectly functional, it's a good price.

Siao liao....5 more hours to go...price already reached Sgd$360+

Any CS members bidding? :sweat:

 

[Benign]

The set sold for more than $400... ;( Higher than what I expected.

If you get to choose the following items, Which one would you take?


Dark room equipment, colour/enlarger Dust C65, timer, safe light, orange, developing tank, ther-mometer, drum agitator, bath heater, beakers, chemicals/printing paper, $360ono can separate... More South/SE VIC
$360 Private


Darkroom Equipment Complete kit. Durst C35 B/W and colour enlarger, easel, developing tanks, print drum, thermometer, safelight. Suit student/hobbyist, $175ono North Warrandyte More East VIC
$175 Private


DURST CSL 35 colour enlarger $175 , N Balwyn More East VIC
$175 Private


ENLARGER BLACK & white 5x4 to medium format, floor-standing, also comes with 35ml condensor and Ilford multi-grade printing filters and various neg-holders $150 , Burnley More Inner Melb VIC
$150 Private


Enlarger Durst M30 with Nikkor 50mm lens, Novex timer, paper box, trays, developing tank and easel, VGC, $70ono Red Hill More Mornington VIC
$70 Private


ENLARGER KROKUS 65 does black & white & colour prints, c/w Novex timer and 5x7 easel, trays, developing tank, will seperate, $100 Hawthorn More East VIC
$100 Private


Enlarger lens,EL Nikor 50mm f 2.8 $100 , Burnley More Inner Melb VIC
$100 Private


Enlarger LPL3301D Lens 50mm x f3.5, Easel mask LPL 35cmx43cm, Easel Mask LPL 20cmx25cm, Proof printer 35mm Patterson 24cmx30cm $180 the lot
$180 Private


ENLARGER MEOPTA OPEMUS 5, black/white & colour prints, Nikon lense c/w Novex timer, Patterson 35mm proof printer, trays, developing tank, LPL easel (8x10), will seperate, $150

LPL C7700 enlarger colour with 80mm Nikon lens, 35mm & 6x6 neg holder, timer, exposure monitor, easel $500, Point Cook More West VIC
$500 Private


LPL colour enlarger, C7700, with auto timer, $300 St Albans More West VIC
$300 Private

LPL enlarger no lens $250, Glenroy More North West VIC
$250 Private

Meopta Novex 2 enlarger timer $50, Burnley More

 

[ratboy]

Hi

They all seem very resonably priced
( assuming in good working condition )

Choice will depend on your needs

Do you intend to do colour ?
if yes, then you would want a colour head

Format, 35mm only ? medium format ? 4x5 ?

Personally, i find the 4x5 one very interesting
but not much info aside from "floor standing"
which make it sound even more interesting : )

Reminds me of the one in KahHeng's studio !!!

 

[ratboy]

for $150.. i would get the floor standing one
the price is cheaper then getting a stable table
for any other of the enlargers ! : )

 

[Benign]

Thanks ratboy

I am afraid for the extras I need to pay for developing tanks, trays, timers, chemicals, papers, etc....a complete setup would be ideal.

As you know, photographic goods in Aust ain't cheap lor. :cry:


p/s: just called the guy with the enlarger for $150, (most likely he sold it when the bloke switched on his answering machine).

 

[ratboy]

hmm
there is a high chance that any floor standing enlarger
could turn out to be quite a "pro" enlarger

The other little items like trays, tanks, timers are still
sendable by parcel post ... so no need to restrict to the Aust market
mah.. lots on ebay : )

 

[kahheng]

Personally, i find the 4x5 one very interesting
but not much info aside from "floor standing"
which make it sound even more interesting : )

Reminds me of the one in KahHeng's studio !!!

hahaha! That 8x10 DeVere was so tall that it needed a 12 foot ceiling!

Anyway, the stupid bulbs kept blowing (so much for a regulated power supply - if so regulated why the surge?) and I really hated the agent who were absolutely unprofessional in their servicing. You know once when I asked them to align the lens and baseboard, they used a big $2 contractor type bubble level for both and after 10 minutes of 'checking' proudly announced that all done! I had a good laugh at them. And this kind of hi-quality support for what was a mid-5 figure enlarger when it was new! Absolutely laughable. :bsmilie:

 

[hongsien]

hahaha! That 8x10 DeVere was so tall that it needed a 12 foot ceiling!

Anyway, the stupid bulbs kept blowing (so much for a regulated power supply - if so regulated why the surge?) and I really hated the agent who were absolutely unprofessional in their servicing. You know once when I asked them to align the lens and baseboard, they used a big $2 contractor type bubble level for both and after 10 minutes of 'checking' proudly announced that all done! I had a good laugh at them. And this kind of hi-quality support for what was a mid-5 figure enlarger when it was new! Absolutely laughable. :bsmilie:

:what::bsmilie:

 

[Benign]

Sound like ratboy trying to get my place renovated for just one enlarger :nono: