andrea_berridge Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I have had some experience with LF and have wanted to purchase a setup for a couple of years. While not really looking, I randomly found a complete setup in a local junk/collectables store. I am looking for any opinions, comments, suggestions anyone might have about any of the equipment and the price. The owner is not willing to seperate any of equipment. I will do my best to describe what there is: Calumet 4x5 (model unknown,newer, black, monorail, rotating back, A+ condition) Kodak Ektar 127mm f/4.7 lens, Copal 1 Caltar II-N 1:5,6 f=210mm MC lens, Both lenses are mounted on lensboards and come with cable releases, Polaroid 545i back, 16 regular filmbacks (mixed riteway & fidelity), Sekonic L-508 (perfect condition w/manual), Beseler 45mxII enlarger (cold head, motorized), gralab timer, safelights, filters, easels for 4x5,8x10,11x14,16x20, papersafes for all of the above paper sizes, 5 4x4 developing tanks, 2 contact sheet printers, a bunch of 35mm bits, 50ft cable release, Carrying case for camera, film and misc, and tons of little extras. The owner wants to sell it all in one lot for $1,000. I am pretty confident that this is a resonable deal. My main concern is with the enlarger. I don't have a clue what the going rate is for one of these is. I have looked around but not found much. The enlarger does not have a lens with it. The owner says that the lenses for the camera work with the enlarger, and even showed me how they pop in. Is this ridiculous? I have never worked with this enlarger. Thanks for any comments you might have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_jiri_loun Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Andrea, this is more than a good deal! Even without the enlarger that puzzles you so much! Especially with the L-508 thrown in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfc Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Jump on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_davis2 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I wouldn't use those lens but you can get enlarger lens cheap today. If it's in good condition don't worry about the enlarger lens at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyman7 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 The lenses will work fine on the camera, but lenses made for enlargers will make better prints. Really good deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_galli4 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 I agree. Good deal. Is the camera the Cambo, or the older Calumet with the round rail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_hawley Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Good deal? The only way it could be better is if it were for free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_meader Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Andrea- Yes yes! And welcome to the world of large format. Have a ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_karp Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_f._stein Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 No one is asking who gave up such a wonderful outfit, right down to a paper safe for each size paper! Working well, that is an attractive enlarger as well, in my opinion. GOOD LUCK.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_fleming1 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 ... and respectfully reflect upon the obvious passing of one of our own. For that is the only way so much good stuff could come on the market for one quarter of what it is worth. Too bad for the widow that she would not take advantage of what was available to her. The ole boy must have left her with a decent life insurance package. But one's loss is andrea's gain. Jump on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_porter1 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Andrea spend an hour or two on ebay tonight if you can and you will quickly learn what the items are going for. This sounds like a good deal I would jump on it it seems like you dont have much to lose I'm positive you could resell the camera with lenses and the enlarger for between $800 on up not including the extras and the light meter. Good luck and let us all know what happened. Good Find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_berridge Posted January 30, 2003 Author Share Posted January 30, 2003 Thank you all for the prompt and positive answers! I have in fact researched all the individual pieces on ebay and other sources. And yes, the equpiment was owned by someone who has passed away. The current owner is actually the origianl owners business partner. He knows that he is giving me a good deal. He is just happy it is going to a local emerging artist. So I think I will run some more polaroids through it today and then go and put my money down on friday.Thanks again, I look forward to picking all your brains in the near future as I try and remember how to do everything I have tried so hard to forget from college! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_gagnon Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 Andrea, Buy it and run! You could resell what items you didn't want to make money to buy film, paper and chemicals! Have Fun! DG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed_candland1 Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 This is a very poor deal indeed! Someone who's seen the light and gone digital is obviously trying to unload this on some unenlightened sole that doesn't know that film is dead. In the interest of keeping some poor sucker for purchasing this collection of useless garage sale bric-a-brac I suggest you buy these items and send them to me. I'll be happy to refund your $1000 in an act of charity. This way no one will suffer the fate of learning they spent their hard earned money on useless antiquated equipment. Oh, just kidding. It's a great deal. Buy it and have fun. Welcome to LF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian_vincent_twiss Posted January 31, 2003 Share Posted January 31, 2003 Andrea Well what can I say. I'm green with envy. I have just spent over $4000 on a Linhof 4 lenses and a Durst Laborator 1200 enlarger with multigraph head. I didn't even get a bloody light meter with that little lot. To make matters worse every time I buy a lens from you nice chaps in the USA at a really good price the Customs and Excise people over here charge so much in duty and taxes that it makes the whole exercise a waste of time. Ah well I can always take up drawing. At least pencils are cheap. Congratulations on an excellent purchase. I hope you get may years of good service and enjoyment. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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