Inherited photo equipment, need advice!

[Heather P Kaufman]

Hi everyone!
I recently inherited a rather large amount of photo lab equipment and am trying to get a handle on how much I should ask for (either per item or as a bulk set) or to see if anyone here would be interested in it. I have a spreadsheet attached with all the notes I could figure for it and a few links for some items as well.

Any and all advice, suggestions, and feedback would be really welcome. I'm at a loss for what to do with it!

Thanks!

-Heather P. Kaufman

 

[Designer]

About 20 years ago I cleaned out my basement and got rid of a bunch of old photography stuff. Old cameras, darkroom equipment, everything. I had one buyer take some interest in it, and I sold her three or four big boxes of stuff for about $10, as I recall.

 

[480sparky42 41]

Paper & chemicals have basically no value as chemicals tend to 'go bad' or 'get stale' over time rendering them useless. Paper? Unless you can prove it's good, it's hard to sell. And by the time you do so, you've spent more time on it than it's worth. And anyone with a darkroom already has paper, and their choices of paper are rarely in line with what you might be selling.

Analog gear has little value as well. Even avid film enthusiasts may not have the space for a proper darkroom, or may not be able to afford it.

If you're looking to sell it, shipping costs are going to kill any deal. And most liquid chemicals cannot be shipped. So you're limited to your local area for pick-up only sales.

You're listing a bunch of little stuff (I didn't see any enlargers, trays, timers etc... the bread & butter of a darkroom), and ebay & Craigslist are littered with ads for this type of stuff.

So basically, you have a lot of old stuff, and an exceedingly small market segment with a lot of competition.

That said, you do list a few items I'm looking for, so maybe we can strike a deal on them.

 

[Heather P Kaufman]

My apologies there are also two enlargers, I have updated the list and added the new version below. There are two enlargers, also some paper safes, and one digital timer. All work and are in good condition.
I think when I converted it to a PDF file some things got lost in translation. I am providing the updated spreadsheet, hopefully this clears up any confusion.

 

[Heather P Kaufman]

My apologies there are also two enlargers, I have updated the list and added the new version below. There are two enlargers, also some paper safes, and one digital timer. All work and are in good condition.
I think when I converted it to a PDF file some things got lost in translation. I am providing the updated spreadsheet, hopefully this clears up any confusion.

Paper & chemicals have basically no value as chemicals tend to 'go bad' or 'get stale' over time rendering them useless. Paper? Unless you can prove it's good, it's hard to sell. And by the time you do so, you've spent more time on it than it's worth. And anyone with a darkroom already has paper, and their choices of paper are rarely in line with what you might be selling.

Analog gear has little value as well. Even avid film enthusiasts may not have the space for a proper darkroom, or may not be able to afford it.

If you're looking to sell it, shipping costs are going to kill any deal. And most liquid chemicals cannot be shipped. So you're limited to your local area for pick-up only sales.

You're listing a bunch of little stuff (I didn't see any enlargers, trays, timers etc... the bread & butter of a darkroom), and ebay & Craigslist are littered with ads for this type of stuff.

So basically, you have a lot of old stuff, and an exceedingly small market segment with a lot of competition.

That said, you do list a few items I'm looking for, so maybe we can strike a deal on them.

Additionally there are a fair amount of enlarger lenses and film carriers, allowing for more versatility in the darkroom and with the enlargers.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I couldn't get the spreadsheet to open. Most darkroom supplies aren't all that valuable, but I've bought trays, easels, & smaller items (not chemistry though). Sellers seem to group items as a lot, such as trays with tongs, paper w/easels, tanks with reels; something large/heavy like an enlarger usually gets listed as local pickup.

I use expired photo paper (if it's for B&W) to do lumen prints so if you had the kind that I use, I'd be interested in it. (edit - and maybe paper safes.)

Another option might be a school, college, community art center, etc. that has photography classes might be interested in it being donated. Or if there's a camera swap where you live.

 

[Heather P Kaufman]

Thanks for the insight! I've uploaded screenshots of the pdf, maybe that'll work.

I couldn't get the spreadsheet to open. Most darkroom supplies aren't all that valuable, but I've bought trays, easels, & smaller items (not chemistry though). Sellers seem to group items as a lot, such as trays with tongs, paper w/easels, tanks with reels; something large/heavy like an enlarger usually gets listed as local pickup.

I use expired photo paper (if it's for B&W) to do lumen prints so if you had the kind that I use, I'd be interested in it. (edit - and maybe paper safes.)

Another option might be a school, college, community art center, etc. that has photography classes might be interested in it being donated. Or if there's a camera swap where you live.

Thanks for the insight! I've uploaded screenshots of the pdf, maybe that'll work.

 

[vintagesnaps]

That opens! thanks. Sounds like relatively new paper, which you might find more interest in (not too many people probably use the 50+ year old paper that I use).

 

[Heather P Kaufman]

That opens! thanks. Sounds like relatively new paper, which you might find more interest in (not too many people probably use the 50+ year old paper that I use).

I would guess it is all within the last 5-15 years. Most are unopened and still sealed too. Any interest? If not, any suggestions for price I should ask for?

 

[Designer]

Digital timer, huh? That reminds me, Sparky480, I have the plans and parts to make one, if I can still find it.

 

[greybeard36 8]

The paper and chemicals are like outdated milk, they have no value. The equipment is like old tape recorders and movie cameras, they have all been replaced with digital equipment that is smaller, easier to use, and much cheaper. The paper and chemicals should be disposed of and the equipment donated to a school that teaches photography.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I don't know about pricing it other than to try checking completed listings on ebay.

I think sellers sometimes list items as a 'lot' instead of selling each thing individually which is how I've ended up with odds & ends (at the camera swap they'll throw in whatever (that they want to get rid of!).



And more than you probably wanted to know - I use the old paper (Kodak Velox, Azo, etc.) to get purplish/orangey tints (sounds weird I know but that's what happens with old B&W paper when exposed in sunlight). It's used doing alternate processes but probably isn't commonly used.

 

[Ysarex88 82]

You have 3 items there of value (maybe -- depends on age and condition).

1. The Beseler enlarger with the Seagul head. The timer and neg carriers are part of the enlarger and should all be consider 1 item.

2. and 3. The two Rodenstock lenses may be valuable (again depends on vintage and condition). They could be worth $100.00 each more or less -- we'd have to see them. If the 135mm is fairly new and in excellent condition it could be worth $150.00. If they're older and have condition issues they could be worth $75.00 for the pair.

If you can get $100.00 for the enlarger, plus they have to haul all the rest of it away for you, you're doing good. The lenses you can sell on ebay.

Joe

 

[PWhite214]

I would be interested, but you would have to live close to Houston, Texas so I could pick up the equipment. Shipping charges, even with the enlarger disassembled for packaging, add too much to the price.

 

[Heather P Kaufman]

I would be interested, but you would have to live close to Houston, Texas so I could pick up the equipment. Shipping charges, even with the enlarger disassembled for packaging, add too much to the price.

Sadly I don't. I'm in Illinois.