This is an update of a note I first posted last fall. Meg and I are in the process of moving to her family's home in Michigan. Her father, who passed away about a year ago at the age of 97, was a life-long photographer and from the age of 65 to 80 or so had an active non-profit "business" doing photography for the local Arts organizations (theater, symphony, etc.) When his home was built in the early 1960's he included a small darkroom in the design. I am emptying the darkroom.
One European list member had stated an interest in taking all of the photo gear from the darkroom but once I was able to give him an inventory and a weight estimate he realized that the shipping costs would be prohibitive. So the following is available to any interested list member: Universal enlarger (1950's-1960's basic enlarger) with aftermarket Zone VI color head. Bessler 23-C enlarger with aftermarket Zone VI color head. 4-5 enlarger lenses. Super Safelight with extra bulb (original cost = $275, bulb original cost = $75, weight = 20+ pounds) Associated "stuff" like focus aids, polycontrast filter sets, etc. Also, 10-12 boxes of paper, sizes ranging from 5x7 to 16x20. Mostly Kodak Polycontrast, some Ilford and one specialty paper size 8x10 whose name I don't recall at the moment and that stack is currently hidden behind several other boxes. Based on notations on the packages, the paper was probably purchased in 1993-94. You can see a partial inventory at the bottom of the Lens Test folder in my PDML-GESO section of my Zenfolio site: http://photos.stanhalpin.com/p566717840 Details on my offer: free to a good home, but A. I would prefer not to split this gear into too many pieces. E.g., the lenses are likely the most fungible of the lot, but I wouldn't want all of the lenses to go and then have someone speak for one or both enlargers and find that they were missing the lenses. So at first at least lets think in terms of two complete enlarger sets. Note that the darkroom was in disarray after 15 years of neglect, and I have never used either of these enlargers. I think I've got it right but I won't guarantee that the proper attachments are included with the proper enlarger. B. You pay shipping plus cost of packing materials. (I'll need to purchase replacements for any boxes, padding etc. that I use as I'll be needing those for my ongoing move from KC.) C. You are willing to be somewhat patient as I work the sorting/packing/shipping process into other things I am doing. D. You incur a lifetime obligation to print the occasional B&W 8x10, 11x14 or 16x20 for me. I estimate that, once properly packed for shipping, each enlarger set (i.e., with associated filters, lens boards, film holders etc.) is going to be 2-3 boxes with a total weight of 50 lbs or so. Also note that I periodically drive from mid-Michigan back to KC and am willing to vary my route within reason in order to drop off some gear along the way to save shipping costs and hassles. I am told that the local community college is using similar gear and my fallback is to donate everything to them. But I am giving PDMLers first shot at this . . . stan -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
