Enlarger Suggestions - Please!

[1750Shooter]

I'm finally able to build a dedicated darkroom on our new house. I have a Beseler 23C II, but it will only do 35 & 120. I'd like to be able to handle 5x7, too. Is it too much to look for an enlarger to do all three? Any suggestions on a reasonably priced (under $250.00) enlarger or where to look for one? Thanks for your help!

[Michael Graves]

Patience is a key. They say it's also a virtue, but I don't think so. I have patience, but no virtues.

I bought my Beseler 5x7 from an eBay ad that said Pickup Only. It was a guy in Maine and the enlarger drew only one bid. Mine. The enlarger was $100.00 and the trip to Maine about twice that. But I also turned it into a long weekend shooting trip, which made it easier two swallow. Since then I've seen one more Beseler for under $300, two Omega E enlargers for under $200 and a Solar for $75.00. If you insist on holding out for a Durst, figure on paying several times that.

[Tin Can]

I agree, try a little patience, but keep putting the word out. Enlargers are actually everywhere, but many people think or know they are worthless. Obviously some of us here still want them, but I think many are also doing film to digital...

A good start would be to tell us where you are.

I have 2 5x7's waiting for the right home. No shipping, come to Chicago.

I waited a long time to get the ones I want. I wanted a Beseler 23 Dichro II just for MF and got a great bargain after 9 months.

[Drew Wiley]

The 5x7 Durst L138 series is definitely the best thing out there; and yes you can use it for all your smaller work too. Luck and timing has everything to do with it. You can pay $15,000 for one or pick one up for free, with every imaginable price and degree of condition in between. I get offered free enlargers all the time, and at the moment am trying to open up some more space for a free enlarger which originally cost 75K and is still in almost mint condition.

[1750Shooter]

I'm in Portland, OR so there should be some around here. If I paid anywhere near 15K for any camera piece, I'd be living in my new darkroom for a looooong time!

[Tin Can]

Recently there was a Durst 5X7 in Indiana that went for very little, well within your budget.

California seems to have more for sale than anywhere else, but it does have the most people.

[Tin Can]

Put up WTB here and APUG. It has worked for me.


I'm in Portland, OR so there should be some around here. If I paid anywhere near 15K for any camera piece, I'd be living in my new darkroom for a looooong time!