A few years ago I ran into the then director of the Harvey Milk Photo Center in San Francisco who told me that their facility had an 8x10 enlarger. Since I didn't then own an 8x10 camera and had a 4x5 darkroom at home, I never visited their facility but filed that tidbit away. But a few months ago I purchased an 8x10 camera and being in the neighborhood yesterday decided to stop by to see the set-up.
The director that I had met, Clarence, had since retired and although they have 40 enlarger station (35mm to 4x5), there wasn't an 8x10 enlarger. One of their employees did recall an 8x10 enlarger and the new Director and instructor that I was speaking with thought that it might be in storage. When I was speaking with Clarence I vaguely remember him telling me that the facility was closed at the time for construction - perhaps they were in the process of building the current facility which looks new. Anyway, they theorized yesterday that it might be in storage due to non-use. I recall another local public photo center getting rid of its 8x10 enlarger because of non-use.
Anyway, the wet facilities are huge with plenty of room to set-up large trays and even have a set of 32x40 trays because some members do mural size prints. They have no objection to setting-up for large prints and have ample room. You would need to provide only the negative and paper - they supply all the necessary B&W chemistry.
I was thinking that if there are enough 8x10 shooters in the area that could use such a facility then that might motivate them to bringing the enlarger from storage or, if they had gotten rid of it, then maybe we could come up with a "donation." After all, 8x10 enlargers are going for peanuts these days.
Just food for thought.
Thomas
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