While accumulating new gear, I've ended up with random odds and ends that I have no real use for, and some of it I've tried to sell off here or on the big auction site, or craigslist, with no takers. Surely, someone, somewhere could make use of a perfetly good copy-stand attachment for an Omega enlarger? No? So what do I do with this stuff? A box in the basement? Garbage? Goodwill? I just rescued an old Argus Super-8 projector from my mother's garage. It just bugs me to throw away still-working gear. But if no one wants to use it, what's it good for?

Surely, someone, somewhere could make use of a perfetly good copy-stand attachment for an Omega enlarger?

I think I've already got that one.

I sympathise fully with your sentiments. It seems incredible that out there in the big analogue world there isn't any takers. It pains me to get rid of anything still functional as well. It's partly a sign of the times. My local waste disposal site is full of bicycles which are still functional or could be so with a little work.

Very shortly the word "repair" and "thrift" will be about as quaint as " horseless carriage" in this "disposable" society of ours.

pentaxuser- known to the kids( anyone less than 40) as a grumpy old man.

I wonder if a Salvation Army store could use any of your stuff...or any other charity thrift store. I've seen lots of things in such places that go without any takers for quite a while, and then someone finds just what they needed and is happy as a clam at high tide.

I sympathise fully with your sentiments. It seems incredible that out there in the big analogue world there isn't any takers.

Part of the problem of course is that the big analog world isn't so big any more, and there's an ocean of used gear out there, and as David implies, people who could use this stuff most likely already have it. So it's just surplus. Which is a slightly different (but not entirely unrelated) problem than the bicycles--folks wanting the lastest and newest, not interested in fixing up something old just because it lacks some whizzy feature or other. Not that I have a great answer to this either.

I've bought big boxes of "junk" off Ebay to get one little item. Often the little item ends up a victim of a bidding war while if it's buried with 10 other items you get everything for almost nothing. The thing is some body who needs it has to see the auction when it's up.

The other thing is with all the top quality stuff out there lots of consumer grade stuff isn't worth that much any more.

It just bugs me to throw away still-working gear. But if no one wants to use it, what's it good for?

I sympathize with your dilemma, one we likely all have from time to time, but I think you've answered your own question.

Donate it, take the tax deduction...

I've bought big boxes of "junk" off Ebay to get one little item. Often the little item ends up a victim of a bidding war while if it's buried with 10 other items you get everything for almost nothing. ...

Put it all in a big box, and "spike" it with a choise item. Then sit back and watch the fun.

I know this works - that's why I have several big boxes of "junk". :)

Perhaps APUG Classifieds could have a companion page for "free + shipping" photo gear for subscribers. I have seen a number of posts from people who would like to get into aspects of photography but don't have the gear, can't afford the gear, etc. If someone could get a free 4x5 beater from an APUG member and a cheap lens on Ebay that would be great and APUG would be encouraging growth.

Perhaps APUG Classifieds could have a companion page for "free + shipping" photo gear for subscribers. I have seen a number of posts from people who would like to get into aspects of photography but don't have the gear, can't afford the gear, etc. If someone could get a free 4x5 beater from an APUG member and a cheap lens on Ebay that would be great and APUG would be encouraging growth.

If not a section within the classifieds at least list the items there

Great idea jeroldhater !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the idea put into practice then you have just saved me from tossing out all sorts of orphaned & unwanted gear.

Why not just list it in the "The interesting analog photo gear I saw for sale or free today" thread?

Hey, I have an Omega enlarger and I've been wanting a copy stand. There's an attachment? For what model Omega?

Hey, I have an Omega enlarger and I've been wanting a copy stand. There's an attachment? For what model Omega?

Exactly. There's usually someone who wants it. My 'worthless gear' lives in boxes until someone does want it.

Hey, I have an Omega enlarger and I've been wanting a copy stand. There's an attachment? For what model Omega?

For B-6, B-66, or B-600. There's a photo of it here: http://www.apug.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3854&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

I've got a long list of stuff - I've been trying to figure out how to list it, A free plus shipping classification would be great - particularly if the listing is editable so that stuff can be eliminated as it's given away.
juan