Photographer
Earth Images
Posts: 7
Cedar Falls, Iowa, US
After a 15 year hiatus I am back into photography. I'm entering the digital age. Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc?
John
Photographer
American Glamour
Posts: 38813
Detroit, Michigan, US
My Bessler is sitting upstairs in our loft. I have asked myself the same question as you.
Photographer
Tony-S
Posts: 1460
Fort Collins, Colorado, US
Earth Images wrote:
After a 15 year hiatus I am back into photography. I'm entering the digital age. Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc?
John You can send the carriers and lenses/lensboards to me! 
Photographer
J O H N A L L A N
Posts: 12221
Los Angeles, California, US
GPS Studio Services wrote:
My Bessler is sitting upstairs in our loft. I have asked myself the same question as you. Mine's taking up room in storage for the last 10 years - can't give it away.
Photographer
Laurence Moan
Posts: 7844
Huntington Beach, California, US
It'd make a cool hepster desk lamp that would go nicely with your Mamiya C33 paperweight.
Photographer
Managing Light
Posts: 2678
Salem, Virginia, US
Earth Images wrote:
Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc? I had that same situation with that same enlarger - about five years ago I gave it to a local high school which still had wet photography courses.
I also had two EOS-1 bodies, so I gave them one of them to the art department head too. I have a sneaking suspicion that the look in her eye when I handed the body to her meant that the kids weren't going to see much of that camera.
That was five years ago, but I know that a local college still has a wet photo program, so maybe if you look around you'll find one around you.
Photographer
beta
Posts: 2097
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Yep,, find a local HS that still has a wet darkroom.....
Photographer
PhillipM
Posts: 8049
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Tony-S wrote:
You can send the carriers and lenses/lensboards to me! No... You have plenty... I need them ... 
Photographer
wr not here
Posts: 1632
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Earth Images wrote:
After a 15 year hiatus I am back into photography. I'm entering the digital age. Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc?
John A few years ago I tried giving away a Beseler 4x5 enlarger. No takers. I ended up binning it. When we closed our studio, we threw our package printer, paper processor and film processor in the trash. We couldn't find any takers at any price (including free to haul away).
It's sad, but this stuff pretty much has zero value these days.
Photographer
Virtual Studio
Posts: 6725
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Earth Images wrote:
After a 15 year hiatus I am back into photography. I'm entering the digital age. Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc?
John Call up your nearest community college with and see if their Art dept would like it?
Photographer
Roy Hubbard
Posts: 3199
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, US
WR Photographics wrote:
A few years ago I tried giving away a Beseler 4x5 enlarger. No takers. I ended up binning it. When we closed our studio, we threw our package printer, paper processor and film processor in the trash. We couldn't find any takers at any price (including free to haul away).
It's sad, but this stuff pretty much has zero value these days. Maybe where you are, otherwise that's just patently untrue.
I bought my Beseler 45MXT for something like $500 the summer before last. I'm in constant touch with plenty of people who are either breaking into film or are already into it and just constantly on the lookout for new(old) stuff.
Photographer
American Glamour
Posts: 38813
Detroit, Michigan, US
GPS Studio Services wrote:
My Bessler is sitting upstairs in our loft. I have asked myself the same question as you. J O H N A L L A N wrote:
Mine's taking up room in storage for the last 10 years - can't give it away. A friend of mine just sold his Bessler for $250. I was surprised. It is an older, less capable model than mine. I still have the analyzer as well. I've thought about putting it up for sale, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
Photographer
E O
Posts: 564
Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania, US
Turn it into a copy stand for one or your older (supposing you have one) digital cameras.
Photographer
DougBPhoto
Posts: 39248
Portland, Oregon, US
WR Photographics wrote:
A few years ago I tried giving away a Beseler 4x5 enlarger. No takers. I ended up binning it. When we closed our studio, we threw our package printer, paper processor and film processor in the trash. We couldn't find any takers at any price (including free to haul away).
It's sad, but this stuff pretty much has zero value these days. Am I reading this correctly, you threw the enlarger in the garbage? 
MM really needs a :crying: thingie
Free enlargers? and no takers...
** stop the insanity **
I don't even have a film camera right now, and I'd still take a free enlarger.
Photographer
Giacomo Cirrincioni
Posts: 22232
Stamford, Connecticut, US
I have three setup now, so I can't take it, but I know a photographer in Iowa who might, I'll let her know about this thread.
Photographer
DougBPhoto
Posts: 39248
Portland, Oregon, US
Giacomo Cirrincioni wrote:
I have three setup now, so I can't take it, but I know a photographer in Iowa who might, I'll let her know about this thread. I remember a pretty one commenting about missing the red light of the darkroom.
She would be very deserving of a donation.
Photographer
GK photo
Posts: 31025
Laguna Beach, California, US
find some time and space to use it. there's still nothing as peaceful (or stressful) as trying to create great prints from an enlarger. i still shoot some personal 6x7 stuff, and enjoy using mine. shoot me a pm with what lenses you have. maybe i'll make an offer. or like already suggested, find a local cc, or art dept. they'd love to have it.
Photographer
eos3_300
Posts: 1585
Brooklyn, New York, US
Send it to a fellow MM member who will put it to use 
Photographer
L A F
Posts: 8524
Davenport, Iowa, US
Giacomo Cirrincioni wrote:
I have three setup now, so I can't take it, but I know a photographer in Iowa who might, I'll let her know about this thread. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this thread!
I actually saw this thread last night but figured there would be a ton of 'donate' responses so I didn't both. But yes, I'm sure you can find someone that would love to have the enlarger.
I started on film back when I first started, and now occasionally shoot medium format, but not nearly as much as I'd like since I don't have a place to process it or make prints. And although I still love to shoot film and have it sent out, it's not the same not having full control over the finished product.
Photographer
L A F
Posts: 8524
Davenport, Iowa, US
DougBPhoto wrote:
I remember a pretty one commenting about missing the red light of the darkroom.
She would be very deserving of a donation. You're a sweetie, Doug.
Photographer
Giacomo Cirrincioni
Posts: 22232
Stamford, Connecticut, US
Giacomo Cirrincioni wrote:
I have three setup now, so I can't take it, but I know a photographer in Iowa who might, I'll let her know about this thread. L A F wrote:
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this thread!
I actually saw this thread last night but figured there would be a ton of 'donate' responses so I didn't both. But yes, I'm sure you can find someone that would love to have the enlarger.
I started on film back when I first started, and now occasionally shoot medium format, but not nearly as much as I'd like since I don't have a place to process it or make prints. And although I still love to shoot film and have it sent out, it's not the same not having full control over the finished product. Get it!
Photographer
Abbitt Photography
Posts: 13562
Washington, Utah, US
Gerry OHalloran Photo wrote:
Turn it into a copy stand for one or your older (supposing you have one) digital cameras. +1.
That's probably the best value one will get out of it.
Photographer
J Haggerty
Posts: 1315
Augusta, Georgia, US
When I have a permanent home I will gladly discuss the possibility of purchasing it from you. I adore the darkroom, it's the most relaxing place outside of my garden.
Photographer
Giacomo Cirrincioni
Posts: 22232
Stamford, Connecticut, US
Gerry OHalloran Photo wrote:
Turn it into a copy stand for one or your older (supposing you have one) digital cameras. Abbitt Photography wrote:
+1.
That's probably the best value one will get out of it. Ridiculous
Photographer
Giacomo Cirrincioni
Posts: 22232
Stamford, Connecticut, US
Jennifer Haggerty wrote:
When I have a permanent home I will gladly discuss the possibility of purchasing it from you. I adore the darkroom, it's the most relaxing place outside of my garden. Jennifer, when you're ready let me know, I'll make sure you get hooked up with whatever you need.
Photographer
J Haggerty
Posts: 1315
Augusta, Georgia, US
Giacomo Cirrincioni wrote:
Jennifer, when you're ready let me know, I'll make sure you get hooked up with whatever you need. Will do!
Photographer
CNP Photography
Posts: 2579
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Earth Images wrote:
After a 15 year hiatus I am back into photography. I'm entering the digital age. Any ideas of what to do with my pristine condition Beseler 23c enlarger with a plethora of lenses, negative carriers, etc?
John Keep it. Someday you'll be able to freak out the grandkids with the old fashioned way of doing things. And then, if 80 years or so, when you're safely on to the other side of the grave, they'll be able to sell it for some ungodly sum to an antique collector.
Photographer
Tim Summa
Posts: 2514
San Antonio, Texas, US
Years ago during the hay day of wet photography I was teaching at a private school. Students would ask me if such and such enlarger was a good enlarger cause some guy was selling it.
My advice now would be the same as back then, buy it and tell him what a pride it will be to have his enlarger to work with. Then buy the entire darkroom set up right then and there, make him/her an offer. Then load it all up in a truck you arranged to have ready with boxes and get the whole thing.
What you spend on the enlarger is NOTHING compared to what you will spend on all the other items critical to the darkroom.
Now, this thread will die shortly and produce NOTHING other than nostalgia. So I’ve been reading how the forums are just not any good. People want to share great ideas and trade information.
I’m just nuts enough to make a change, so I’m opening a tread where the photon junkies hang out “Photo Talk’. Actually TWO threads, one for gear and the other for technique.
Meet me in the photo talk forum and lets get some real stuff shared.
Tim Summa.
Photographer
Roy Hubbard
Posts: 3199
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, US
Nostalgia, nothing. People are buying film gear left and right and getting into developing and printing for the first time. One man's trash is another man's treasure! 
Photographer
wr not here
Posts: 1632
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Roy Hubbard wrote:
Maybe where you are, otherwise that's just patently untrue. Yes well, I can only speak for where I am, can't I?
Photographer
wr not here
Posts: 1632
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
DougBPhoto wrote:
Am I reading this correctly, you threw the enlarger in the garbage?
MM really needs a :crying: thingie
Free enlargers? and no takers...
** stop the insanity **
I don't even have a film camera right now, and I'd still take a free enlarger. It wasn't a happy day, to be sure. We are kind of in the middle of nowhere, shipping big stuff is a killer. The cost of shipping the thing anywhere was greater than it was worth. I kept my Zone VI Studio cold light head. Some things you just don't part with, and I still have my Zone VI compensating timer, and I still have two enlargers, a 23C Dichroic and a 45M something or other with a dichroic head plus all sorts of doodads like flat out carriers and advancing carriers for both 35mm and 6x7, and on and on.
It's not like as if I am bereft of darkroom gear.
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