I am wanting to buy a second hand B & W enlarger. I see that there are any number of these available on e-bay. Most are in the U.S. where the voltage is 110. I live in Australia where the voltage is 240. If I buy an enlarger from the U.S. what needs to be done to it so I can use it here. Is it simply a matter of change the globe, or is there more to it?? I know I could use a transformer but I'd rather avoid that if I could. Thanks in anticipation.

-- Philip Dowling (pdowling@zeta.org.au), October 16, 2001

Answers

Why buy an enlarger from the US?

-- Steven Lawrance (steven@sia.net.au), October 16, 2001.

If by "B&W enlarger" you mean one with a condensor head, and if the screw bases of Australian bulbs (globes) are the same as those here in the US, then yes, you'd only need to replace the bulb. On the other hand, if you are looking at cold light heads, things may be more complicated.

-- Sal Santamaura (santamaura@earthlink.net), October 16, 2001.

I would suspect that there are voltage stepdown transformers available for just this purpose. Replacing the bulb may work if you buy a condensor enlarger, but you will have to drop the voltage if you purchase any head with electronics in it.

However, I suspect that there are plenty of used enlargers available in Australia.

-- Ed Farmer (photography2k@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.

You would also need to change the plug in addition to the bulb (if a simple bulb on a cord style, like mine) If it has a transformer this would still apply most likely. Whereabouts are you Phillip? Have you got your eye on a particular model because there's usually several good setups advertised in the Melbourne Trading Post each week. About $300 to $1500 AUD is the usual range of stuff on offer which usually would include some of the associated gismos like timers/easels/etc

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 16, 2001.

well that didn't work.... URL --> http://www.trading- post.com.au/PublicationDefault.asp?Publication=M

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 16, 2001.

still not right... take out the space this 'software' took it upon itself to insert!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), October 16, 2001.

Have you tried the "Photographic Trader" magazine which is available from newsagents. It is only $3.40 and has all sorts of photographic equipment from all over Australia. You might be able to find something in your state. Then you can check it out properly before you spend your money and save on delivery costs. I am going through the same process at the moment, but am totally in the dark about equipment so it is a slow process. Goodluck.

-- Carol S. (carfred@hotmail.com), October 19, 2001.