Identifying old darkroom equipment

[katstartastic]

Several years ago, a friend of mine sold me his darkroom set up which he had obtained from a former employer who went out of business. The equipment has been collecting dust and now I am moving to a smaller house so I need to find a new home for the equipment.

My problem is, I'm so far out of the loop in the film world, that I'm not sure (1) how to identify what I have in the basement and (2) what is actually worth trying to pass on to someone else.

I know there is an enlarger and some other miscellaneous equipment - I believe it should be a full set up but I will have to catalog everything before I could actually say that for certainty. There are some chemicals in the boxes - are these still usable if they haven't been opened or is there an expiration date on the chemicals.

What sort of identifying features should I be cataloging for the important parts of the setup that a prospective buyer would be interested or want to know?

I appreciate any help that the forum can offer. It's been 20 years since I've been in a darkroom so my knowledge is pretty sketchy at best.

Thanks!

[Michael E]

Hard to tell without knowing what you have. One thing that is always important is the format - what size negative does an enlarger take, how big are trays or paper. Exact information on lenses, if any. Liquid chemicals are probably unusable, unopened packages of powdered chemicals are probably still good. Try to sell small stuff in (sensible) lots, it's a lot of work to offer everything individually.

Don't throw things away too fast. Not many people still work in a darkroom, but not much darkroom equipment is available new. In the end, it comes down to price and shipping cost.

Good luck!

Michael

[Tin Can]

Lenses and enlargers have words on them. Google those words.

Condition is paramount and size is always bigger is better, unless it's German.

[katstartastic]

Okay, thank you both very much. I'm going to spend the weekend going through everything and will hopefully have a meaningful list of items by the end.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Begin simply by listing what is printed on the equipment. There are many here who can identify the hardware. I'll bet there are some photographers in your area who might like to visit to identify what you have. I have done it here a few times.

It is unlikely the chemicals are still worthwhile.

Best of luck!

[HMG]

As noted, google whatever you can find on the equipment. It's often easier to jump right to images to find what looks like yours. As you set selling prices, consider condition, including how much dust/rust/debris is on the equipment.

[John Kasaian]

Post a photo---maybe we can help.

[katstartastic]

Okay, I just got started with all the boxes and a lot of this stuff appears to be brand new in boxes! There are a few things that I can't figure out what they are so I have posted the photos of those below.

What I do know I have:
Paterson Pro-Proofer and Copyboard (qty 1) - new
Paterson 12 x 16 film trays (qty 3) - used
Kodak hard rubber tank, 4x5 in, 1/2 gallon liquid capacity (qty 2) - one new, one used. The used one doesn't appear to have a lid. Not sure if the new in box one has a lid or not.
Tetenal C-41 Kit Stab, liquid bottle, model #389118 (qty 4) - used
Tetenal C-41 Kit Stab Stabilizer, liquid bottle, model #340136 (qty 4) - used
Kodak 1 liter measuring cup, plastic (qty 1) - used
Stainless steel measuring cup, no brand, 64oz (qty 1) - new
Kodak Ektachrome film processing kit, process E-6 for color transparencies, model #1815034 (qty 2) - most likely used
GraLab darkroom timer, model 300, with enlarger and safelight plugs (qty 1) - used
Lloyds "The Daylight bulk film winder" (qty 1) - used
Testrite Instrument Co, Safelight, model 3A. (qty 2) - used
Adorama bamboo tongs, B-106 (qty 2) - one used, one new
Kalt adjustable dial thermometer (qty 1) - used
Kodak rapid fixer with hardener, CAT 146 4106, #00104-1 (qty 4) - new
Kodak indicator stop bath, #00316-2, CAT 140 8731, (qty 1) - new
Lewco Variable Vignetter (qty 1) - appears to be brand new in box
RPS Photo Products, High grade 18-8 stainless steel, 120/620 reel (qty 1) - brand new in box
Kindermann reel loader 35mm, #3326 (qty 2) - brand new in box
LPL 35mm tank reel, #411A (qty 2) - one used, one new in box
Coastar, 6" developing tank, #435-IT (qty 1) - new in box
Kindermann, developing tank 450 mL, #3364 (qty 1) - new in box
Hansa, stainless steel developing tank, 35 "for 135 film size - W reel" (qty 1) - new in box
Kodak Dektol developer, powder, CAT 146 4726, KP68252-1 (qty 5) - new, unopened packages
Kodak fixer for film, paper & Plates, cat 197 1746, #23483-1 (qty 3) - new, unopened packages
Edwal No Scratch, Edwal Scientifiv Products, liquid bottle (qty 1) - used
Edwal Hypo-Chek, liquid bottle (qty 1) - used
Kodak lens cleaner, liquid bottle (qty 3) - used
Kodak T-Max developer, KP-85495-D (qty 4) - new
Unicolor trans 6 process e-6 reversal film chemistry kit (qty 1) - new in box, unopened so I'm not sure what all is inside other than what is listed on the outside
Premier 2 gallon polyethylene chemical storage tank, "Vue-Thru" (qty 3) - new in box.
Watson film loader, model Watson 100 (qty 1) - new? like new?
GraLab, Model 545 timer (qty 1) - new in box
Kalt portable darkroom safelight, two additional filters (qty 1) - new in box
Prinz dial thermometer, catalog number 260-86 (qty 1) - new in box
Kodak Polymax filter kit (qty 1) - like new, has all of the filters in good condition with instructions and all parts
GraLab, Model 300 timer (qty 1) - new in box **This one appears to be a newer version of the previous 300 timer listed. The switches are rockers instead of little metal flip/knobs.
Kodak adjustable safelight lamp, model B (qty 2) - new in box; boxes say the filter isn't included
Igloo tray, 10x10" (approximately) (qty 1) - used








What I don't know:
It's a black tray, two pieces, appears to lock together pretty well so I'm thinking it's light-proof? There's a little metal clasp at one end. It's been used, the plastic is cracked by the clasp but the rest of the tray appears to be in pretty good shape. Roughly 12 x 16.


Black, round, lid-like trays. I have 15 of them, one has a UPC and gives the name Shatter Inc and what I assume to be a model number of 69PRT2FL.


Three metal clamps with no identifying features.


I think it might be a printing tray of some kind but I don't know what the real name of it is? There's different size frames on both sides. Brand name is Coastar.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I am afraid that the whole lot is amateur level stuff not worth shipping fees, and nothing to the constituency of large format enthusiasts. Chemicals are worthless,

[Jim C.]

I am afraid that the whole lot is amateur level stuff not worth shipping fees, and nothing to the constituency of large format enthusiasts. Chemicals are worthless,

I agree with Jac the chemicals are probably dead depending on the expiration, especially the color chems, the Indicator stop bath is probably still good,
I'm using decades old Indicator stop, still pretty pungent, I don't think the concentrate ever goes bad.

The Gralab 300 and 545 timers are worth something.

You can always put them up on Craigslist or eBay and see what nibbles you can get, one man's trash is another man's treasure...but ditch the chems .

Actually, come to think of it, ditch the lids off the stainless steel tanks and use them as pencil/pen holder cups, that's what I did with mine with I got my Jobo setup.