Beginner photographer - What's the ideal starting equipment?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : B&W Photo - Buy/Sell/Trade : One Thread

A couple of years ago a friend of mine developed some black and white photos in the darkroom at our high-school. They came out fantastic (most of 'em anyway - some were poorly shot).

Anyway... I'm considering setting up a darkroom at my house to take up photography as a hobby. I love black and white photos, and would like to be able to develope them myself.

Could anyone suggest a good, and affordable, list of equipment that they would suggest for a beginner?

Thx a ton, Jason

-- Jason (jason_stenhouse@hotmail.com), October 28, 2001

Answers

Hi, Jason! I have a full darkroom set-up that I recently decided to get rid of. My husband and I run a business and have a baby, so my darkroom is gathering dust. I'll give you a list of what I have and feel free to contact me if it interests you.

Omega D2 Enlarger: -- excellent condition -- variable condenser (for 135mm and 50mm lens) -- transition & full Kodak polycontrast filter set! -- 135mm f/4.5 lens and 50mm with plates -- Negative carriers: 1- 35mm & 4- 4x5's -- lamphouse & bellows in great condition (3 bulbs included) * Time-O-light * numerous bags of developer, stop bath, fixer,etc... * Universal timer * 4 trays * Ilford exposure meter * several boxes & types of photo paper (may or may not be good) * Red light * various clips, film cannisters,etc... * 2 maginfiers * negative protector sheets * Kodak 2-way safelamp * dodging kit & vignetter set * easel * 3 negative developing tanks * retouching ink kits * 2 Cubitainer dispensing kits * set of tongs * water wash

We're asking $500 for the complete set-up Call (425)228-8837 or e-mail davidnsara@attbi.com

-- Sara McElroy (davidnsara@attbi.com), January 25, 2002.


Sara's offer sounds pretty good to me. If for some reason you are still in the market for an enlarger, I have a barely used Saunders 670 VCCE with three negative carriers (35mm, 6x6 and 6x7) that I will sell to you for $300.00 I bought it for about $700.00. A few months later I decided to invest in 4x5 equipment, necessitating that I buy a Saunders 4x5 VCCE enlarger. So the 670 just sits in storage. If you are interested, email me at philip.tilton@maslon.com

Philip Tilton

-- Philip Tilton (philip.tilton@maslon.com), August 21, 2002.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ