Omega D2 - Value?

[baumgrenze]

I am considering selling an Omega D2 enlarger I purchased at an estate sale in 2000 when a professional studio photographer/artist friend died at age 87. Here's a link to his obituary if you are interested:

http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Bohre..._23617588.aspx

Given that I've done nothing with the enlarger in 8 years, I have no easy access to a darkroom, I've decided I should reclaim the storage space it has been occupying. It has a 4x5 condenser (it looks dusty and in need of cleaning) and a lens that reads Apos 127 mm, f 5.6, Colorstigmatic, Made in USA by Egleet. It is mounted on a stout hardwood desktop board, 17.75" x 27".

Also included in the 'package' were 4 'antique' 4x5 Graflex cut film magazines , some with the leather repaired with duct tape, a new Fidelity 4x5 double cut film holder, and a Steeline Type B Texture Screen (8x10).

I also obtained some photo paper with it. It may be 'history' since I only know that it has been stored for 8 years minimum.

4 8 x 10 Kodabrome paper packs
1 Kodak Elite Fine Art S2P paper pack
1 Kodak Polyfiber G paper pack

I have not even tried to plug in and turn on the enlarger, so I do not know if the bulb is good. I've kept the enlarger under a large plastic bag to keep it as clean as it was when I obtained it.

Can anyone venture a guess what I should honestly ask for this package?

Thanks,

baumgrenze

[wildbill]

I bought Five d-2 enlargers about a year ago for $200. Welcome to the forum. I hope this won't be your only post.

[kchittenden]

I also paid around $200 for mine a couple of years ago.

[Fotoguy20d]

Last month I got a D2 (set up for 35mm only) on ebay for $50 shipped. I then won a D-II set up for 4x5 for $10 and had just the condensers, lens cone and negative carriers shipped to me (since shipping for the whole thing was $80).

[bdial]

You'll get the best prices if you sell the enlarger, holders, and paper separately.

If the enlarger has no negative carriers, the value is probably $50.00 or less, more likely somewhere around 10 or 20. If you elect to sell it on ebay, you're likely to get the best price if you are willing to ship the enlarger.

The best barameter for value would be to look at completed ebay auctions. Probably $20.00 give or take for the paper if it's unopened, 5 or 10 for the older holders and 20+ for the Fidelity.

[baumgrenze]

Thank you everybody for your support.

I do want to see this enlarger put back to work.

Since it is so heavy and bulky, I think I will start with the local craigslist and see what comes of posting there.

[Rolleijoe]

I've had a D3 complete as yours PLUS 4 20x30 trays actually given to me. I used it until I moved to CT, then was forced to use a B4, but now use D5-XL which I purchased with all new 3 lenses already attached on the turret, color spectrum analizer, dichroic head, with Omegatrol, several high priced Saunders easels, and original instruction books, purchased receipt, (etc) from the bay for a mere $350.

Good luck with yours. Perhaps you may look towards the college market with photo students looking to get into a real darkroom for a reasonable price.

[tmike]

Three years ago I received my D2V from a weekly newspaper office that went all digital. I got it for free. It's now all buffed and still shining light onto MY easel...

[baumgrenze]

I'm trying to check out and understand this D2. My web research tells me that the condenser is for 4x5, which matches the negative carrier.

I'm trying to check out the lamp. I gather from www.khbphotografix.com that there are two possibilities:

6401 211-type 75w/120v (later #471-002)
6402 212-type 150w/120v (later #471-003)

It is not clear what needs to be done to get a look at the lamp. I've attached two snapshots of the lamp housing. John had masking tape wrapped around where the power cord feeds into the top of the housing. I can raise the topmost portion about an inch, then I meet with resistance. I don't want to break something. Is this a simple lamp socket with a bulb screwed into it?

Thanks,

John

[BradS]

I have had a few of these given to me in the past couple of years. From experience, they'll tolerate a 150Watt, PH-212 bulb but, they get really hot really fast with that bulb and need to have significant bulb off time to cool down. I'd definitely recommend the 75Watt, PH-211 bulb.

To open the lamp house and gain access to the bulb, remove the three screws at the bottom of the lamp house - where it meets the condenser housing. You can see the seam in the first photo you attached. One of the screws is right below that plate that says "Omega". Remove those three screws and then the lamp hosing lifts right off.

As an aside, this one appears to have suffered a lamp socket retro fit. The original socket was bakelite and fit up inside that big cast piece on top. It was held up by a nylon screw. With time, the nylon screws broke and some were replaced by ordinary metal screws...which led to a very dangerous situation as the screw goes right down into the lamp socket and if it is too long, presses directly on the back of the center electrical contact in the lamp socket...potentially making everything metal "hot".

What you have is (probably) safe but definitely not original.