Disposal of darkroom equipment: I am looking for advice on disposing of darkroom equipment. I have two enlargers, one 4x5 and another 35mm with all accessories. There are also...

edelberman

I am looking for advice on disposing of darkroom equipment. I have two enlargers, one 4x5 and another 35mm with all accessories.

There are also developing tanks, trays, washing tanks, etc.

I am prepared to donate some or all the equipment to a college or school. The only requirement is that the large equipment (enlargers) be picked up from my home.

This is sadly the end of an era for me. With the pain of spinal stenosis, and the ease of digital photography I do not foresee going back to darkroom work.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Knowing where you are located, might be a smart idea to include. Just sayin.

MrPhotog

Put it on ebay, craigs list or facebook market— or some similar auction/ sales site. You may have a local online sales venue.

It may not sell for much, but the buyer will either pick it up or pay the shipping fees.

The enlarger lenses may go for more than the rest of the enlarger. Price them separately.

Just curious. What model enlargers?

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

edelberman wrote:

I am looking for advice on disposing of darkroom e... (show quote)

You could post it in the UHH Members Buy/Sell/Trade forum section. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-6-1.html
As mentioned before knowing where you live will probably be a determining factor on whether someone will want to pick it up.

Celtis87

In the last, I donated some equipment to a college or a high school with a photography program. The one I’d donated to was in Virginia, as I recall, but you could see if there are any schools with an interest near you. Just a thought.

TreborLow

I have donated my old film equipment to a school in southeast Florida. If you are in that region, I will be happy to provide the contact info.
Sorry to hear of your health issues. Lucky for me it was more of a downsizing at retirement that forced me out of my darkroom. To tell the truth, the computer is easier to start, interrupt and restart than those old familiar chemicals. And no temperature control!!
Stay safe,
Bob

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

edelberman wrote:

I am looking for advice on disposing of darkroom e... (show quote)

I have the same problem - I am 78 with a bad case of spinal stenosis and some really nice darkroom gear including a Simon Omega D2V enlarger that has been used only 2 or 3 times back in the early 1970s.

nmw1004 Loc: Dresher PA

edelberman wrote:

I am looking for advice on disposing of darkroom e... (show quote)

Tried to donate mine a few years ago. No takers!

Celtis87

Celtis87 wrote:

In the last, I donated some equipment to a college or a high school with a photography program. The one I’d donated to was in Virginia, as I recall, but you could see if there are any schools with an interest near you. Just a thought.

“In the past…” Fat finger typing on the iPad.

Blues Dude

When I was living in Louisiana, I donated my film equipment to the photography department at LSU. My suggestion is to find a college near you with a photo dept. If they don't want your gear, they probably have students who would be happy with your donation. And you might even be able to claim the donation on your taxes.

edelberman

Thank you for the reply.

The enlargers are Beselers; one 4x5 and one 2.5 x 3.5 (I think). Both have been unused for about 30 years.

edelberman

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I live in Yardley, PA just across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ.

I tried to donate the darkroom equipment to Bucks County Community College and to other charitable organizations in this area but there were no takers. I will try again; maybe there are others I have not thought of.

Celtis87

edelberman wrote:

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I live in Yardley, PA just across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ.

I tried to donate the darkroom equipment to Bucks County Community College and to other charitable organizations in this area but there were no takers. I will try again; maybe there are others I have not thought of.

Might want to try Moore College in Philly. https://moore.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/programs/photography/

RTCreed Loc: Forest Park, IL

I tried four or five high schools and a Jr. College or two with no luck and quite often not even a reply. I finally went to the Art Institute of Chicago and picked a photography professor at random and dropped him a line. I got lucky, he was starting an outreach program on the southside, and he took everything: old brass lenses and cameras, photo books and magazines, all the darkroom items including a stainless-steel sink. Moving day is coming up shortly and it is a relief to have it all gone

Blues Dude

I did a Google search and came up with the following:

Best Photography Colleges in Philadelphia for 2021

Temple University offers 2 Photography Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city.
Drexel University offers 1 Photography Degree program. It's a large private university in a large city.
Arcadia University offers 2 Photography Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large suburb.
The University of the Arts offers 1 Photography Degree program. It's a small private university in a large city.
Rowan College at Burlington County offers 2 Photography Degree programs. It's a large public college in a outlying rural.
Reference: www.universities.com/find/philadelphia/best/photography-degrees