Selling Price of De Vere 8x10 Enlargers in 1980s?

[Richard K.]

Anybody know? Thank you...

[Mark Sampson]

Expensive. High quality x limited demand = limited production = high cost.
IIRC, a 10x10 Omega Super-Chromega F was around $8000 US thirty years ago, without the expensive lenses. And that is a simple machine compared to DeVeres and Dursts. Only the decline of the custom lab has made it feasible for individuals to own enlargers like these. It was a big deal when the 8x10 conversion for 4x5 Beselers was first made available, in the early '90s, and even that wasn't cheap.

[Richard K.]

Thanks Mark. I picked up a De Vere 8x10 enlarger with Varicontrast head with 300 Rodagon lens this morning for what I feel is reasonable price. I seem to recall that they cost around 15 to $20,000 new in the 80s but a friend claims that they were north of $40,000! So, I'm curious...

[Fred L]

There's been one on ebay for ages and it's one I could have picked up for a song had I room to store it :(

I think if you found one for $2k or so you'd be alright but that'd be an uneducated guess. I was lucky enough to liberate one from a lab that was moving out surplus equipment.

[bob carnie]

Richard
the 11x14 you saw at my shop was purchased in mid 80's for over $50K , I worked on it at one of the main labs during that period and when they went digital , they gave it to me for free, since they knew I would treasure it and use it.
My favorite large format enlarger.
The 8x10 is shit hot as well.
Bob

Thanks Mark. I picked up a De Vere 8x10 enlarger with Varicontrast head with 300 Rodagon lens this morning for what I feel is reasonable price. I seem to recall that they cost around 15 to $20,000 new in the 80s but a friend claims that they were north of $40,000! So, I'm curious...

[Richard K.]

Richard
the 11x14 you saw at my shop was purchased in mid 80's for over $50K ...

Man I really want to put that one to the test! As soon as I get a decent neg as soon as I get my 10x12, I would love to crank out a 24 x30!!

So I guess the 8x10 version could have been $30, 000?

[Richard K.]

I think if you found one for $2k or so you'd be alright .....

:) :D :)

[Fred L]

oh oh, he has the silly, mischievous grin emoticon happening....

[Fred L]

you didn't !

[Richard K.]

you didn't !

didn't what? :)

[ic-racer]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=320129&postcount=39

The sales receipt (dated 1988) on my Durst shows $16,450 for the enlarger. That would be $30,773.74 according to the on-line inflation calculator. The original owners got an Aristo head for $700 installed from the importer. The CLS 2000 color head (which I now subsequently own) was about $24,000 ($44,800 in today's dollars). Thats right, more than the rest of the enlarger.

Enlarger:$16,450
Color Head: $24,000
Lens & board: $1,943
Total:$42,393 (1988)

Total in today's dollars: $79,306.44 (2011)


Also, the prices you have heard for the DeVere may be quite different depending on the head.

[Richard K.]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=320129&postcount=39

The sales receipt (dated 1988) on my Durst shows $16,450 for the enlarger. That would be $30,773.74 according to the on-line inflation calculator. The original owners got an Aristo head for $700 installed from the importer. The CLS 2000 color head (which I now subsequently own) was about $24,000 ($44,800 in today's dollars). Thats right, more than the rest of the enlarger.

Enlarger:$16,450
Color Head: $24,000
Lens & board: $1,943
Total:$42,393 (1988)

Total in today's dollars: $79,306.44 (2011)


Also, the prices you have heard for the DeVere may be quite different depending on the head.

That's pretty definitive!! :) Thank you ic-racer!