Looking for an enlarger for 4x5, is this a good deal?

<p>I have been searching for an enlarger for a while now, this one seems to be well priced and I have heard good things about LPL. It looks like its in really good condition and comes with lenses and carriers. Any opinions, are they asking too much? This would be the first enlarger I've owned so any help is appreciated!<br>

<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saunders-LPL-Super-Dichroic-4500-II-/251304727548?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a82edd3fc">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saunders-LPL-Super-Dichroic-4500-II-/251304727548?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a82edd3fc</a></p>

<p>No way. Not these days.<br>

<br />Try craiglist or kijiji and be patient. <br>

<br />I got a mint Durst L1200 with Schneider APO lens for 4x5 inch, for only the price of the lens. And at the same time, there were two offered for free, but across the country from me, in LA<br>

Yes, the LPL4500 is a fine enlarger (although I didn't like mine). But I bet you could land one for almost free, if you are patient.</p>

<p>The price is very high, relative to what you could pay for a similar enlarger. Also, it doesn't have a 4x5 negative carrier, so you would need to pick that up. I don't know how available the LPL negative carriers are.<br>

What are you going to be enlarging? Color or black and white? The color enlargers work well for both, but I prefer an enlarger with a variable contrast head instead of a color head if I'm only using black and white film.<br>

Where are you located?</p>

<p>The price is not only high, it's laughable. This guy has no link to reality.</p>

<p>I've seen several times where they ask peeps to pick it up (@no charge). Try to be patient and look around. I wouldn't pay this much.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p>Well, it didn't take long.....I just saw it....roughly 100 miles No of here a Beseler (4x5) w/various darkroom supplies on sale for about 1/3rd what you indicated.</p>

<p>Les</p>

<p>It is a good enlarger, but overpriced. The starting bid is about what they cost new. With most people using scanners it should cost only a few hundred dollars. The disadvantage of this excellent enlarger is that the alignment may not be reset. </p>

<p>Ok thanks for all the responses. I thought it may have been too high priced but wasn't sure because of the lenses and carriers (on ebay those Rodenstock lenses fetch a decent price by themselves). I will wait and see if something more affordable shows up on my radar. </p>

<p>Looks like it didn't sell, re-listed starting at $499.<br>

<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saunders-LPL-Super-Dichroic-4500-II-/251308922769">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saunders-LPL-Super-Dichroic-4500-II-/251308922769?</a><br>

Think I'm gonna try to get it since I can't find anything locally.</p>

<p>I would really, really, really hold off on that. The seller wants a starting bid of $499 plus as much as $200 for shipping. It's a late model enlarger, has a color head and the Rodenstocks are good lenses but still... You should be able to find a 4x5 Omega or Beseler any day of the week for $100 to $200 these days.</p>

Go for a Durst if you can . It will outlast your grandchildren and still function smoothly.

<p>If this thread is not dead, I have a free Beseler 4x5 cold light head Zone VI enlarger with many accessories for free. I'll wait a few days to see if you reply, then start a thread offering it for free. I live in eastern North Carolina and you'd have to drive to come get it. I not longer do wet photography and would like to see it get a good home.</p>