Enlarger timer recommendations

[logan2z]

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I'm currently using an old Omega timer that's similar in design to the original Gralab timers and it works reasonably well, but I'd prefer a digital timer and have been looking at available options.  I've read some very positive things about the RH Designs Stopclock Pro timer (and the Analyzer Pro) but I'm not sure that it's really worth spending over $400 on a darkroom timer.  I used a Beseler digital timer quite a bit at a community darkroom before I had a darkroom setup at home and they were ok when they worked but tended to break down frequently.  I believe that particular model is no longer available anyway.  

So, any recommendations for a good quality digital timer that is still available?  If the RH Designs is that good then I may be willing to spring for it.  

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[105012]

I have the RH Designs Analyzer Pro (bought in mint secondhand condition). This is really well thought out, there is a great LED scale that helps you figure out how best to fit the paper exposure latitude of your paper to the negative given your preferred contrast. I also have the Heilland split-grade system, the RH system does not do split grade (directly), so if you want split-grade then consider the Heilland. Both are f/stop based rather than time based (love it).

Both these systems use a sensor to read the density of various parts of your negative to help you get to a good print much faster than the test-strip method. Of course, it is good to have experience of the traditional method as a learning aid (and possibly to help appreciate the beauty of being able to rapidly get to a decent print with the densitometry based systems...).

Both systems are easy to work with to refine your print further, whether through contrast adjustments or the burning in etc.

Hope that helps!

[logan2z]

12 hours ago, 105012 said:

I have the RH Designs Analyzer Pro (bought in mint secondhand condition). This is really well thought out, there is a great LED scale that helps you figure out how best to fit the paper exposure latitude of your paper to the negative given your preferred contrast. I also have the Heilland split-grade system, the RH system does not do split grade (directly), so if you want split-grade then consider the Heilland. Both are f/stop based rather than time based (love it).

Both these systems use a sensor to read the density of various parts of your negative to help you get to a good print much faster than the test-strip method. Of course, it is good to have experience of the traditional method as a learning aid (and possibly to help appreciate the beauty of being able to rapidly get to a decent print with the densitometry based systems...).

Both systems are easy to work with to refine your print further, whether through contrast adjustments or the burning in etc.

Hope that helps!

Thanks.  I've yet to hear a negative word about the RH Designs products.  The only potential negative for me is that I'm in the US and so support/warranty service may be a bit of a hassle.  I also tried to watch the videos on their site that demonstrate their products but the links are all broken.  I tried to use their contact page to alert them to this fact and that was broken too!  Doesn't inspire confidence, but they seem to have a good reputation regardless. 

The price difference between the Stopclock Pro and the Analyzer Pro is pretty small so I may just go for the Analyzer.

[Jeff S]

I owned a densitometer from RH and it was a great tool.  That was long ago, but ordering and delivery was smooth as I recall.

For timers, however, I loved the Zone VI compensating enlarger timer as well as the counterpart compensating developing timer.  Both adjust times for temperature changes, light and chemicals respectively. And the enlarger timer has a convenient drydown feature.

With Zone VI and suppliers gone, these are  typically available on eBay.  Also it seems there are two companies now producing similar products.  I haven’t tried them, as my darkroom days are gone.

The new enlarger timer is discussed here, with a US supplier noted at the end...

https://www.michaelmarksphoto.com/2018/06/04/big-news-a-brand-new-replacement-for-the-zone-vi-temperature-compensating-timer/

And the new developer timer is noted in the comment section following the praise of the Zone VI version here...

https://www.michaelmarksphoto.com/2017/08/07/the-zone-vi-compensating-development-timer-and-why-it-is-the-most-brilliant-darkroom-tool-ever-created/

Jeff

 

[105012]

There are two timers in discussion here, the one for the enlarger exposure timing and the other for the paper development timing. For the former, see my previous post. For the latter, I have the DLG temperature compensating one, good quality and works well, recommended. 

[105012]

Also, a third option on the dry side under development:

https://www.dlgelectronics.com/documents/Enlarging Meter Timer Concept.pdf

Design looks interesting.

Pro: I like the simple direct UI; records separate settings for highlights and shadows. Possible Cons: doesn't seem to have paper characteristics in memory? And doesn't seem to help with split-grade?

Great to see DLG looking at this, their compensating timer is really well made.

Edited October 25, 2018 by 105012

[Michael Hiles]

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I have an Analyzer Pro - and I love it. I do a variety of techniques, often split grade which I think is very useful/powerful. As noted above, it does not do split grade automatically, but it is still very easy.

Based on what I have read the Analyzer Pro is more versatile than the Heiland unit, and it is considerably  cheaper (at least it was for my focomat 1c which required a fancy and expensive option (Heiland).

Edited October 25, 2018 by Michael Hiles

[logan2z]

The DLG looks very interesting, although it's the enlarger timer that I'm really after at the moment.  I'll do a bit more research into the Analyzer Pro.  Definitely leaning towards buying one at the moment.  Thanks for all of the thoughts/suggestions.

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, logan2z said:

The DLG looks very interesting, although it's the enlarger timer that I'm really after at the moment.  I'll do a bit more research into the Analyzer Pro.  Definitely leaning towards buying one at the moment.  Thanks for all of the thoughts/suggestions.

My first link above is for the DLG enlarger timer.  The second one references the development timer.

Jeff

[logan2z]

34 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

My first link above is for the DLG enlarger timer.  The second one references the development timer.

Jeff

Maybe I'm missing something but the first link you posted seems to talk about the DLG version of a temperature compensating timer used for developing film/prints.  The second link discusses the original Zone VI temperature compensating timer.  Neither links to a discussion of an enlarger timer.  It seems that DLG is working on a product that sounds similar to the RH Designs Analyzer Pro (referenced by 105012 above) but it hasn't launched yet:

https://www.dlgelectronics.com/enlarging_meter_timer.html

Edited October 26, 2018 by logan2z

[Jeff S]

Sorry, yes, my first link references, at the end of the article, the forthcoming enlarger timer that you linked above.  It was targeted for late 2018, but I don’t know the status.

In the meantime, RH has a good reputation, although Richard Ross has retired. The good news is that options remain even as darkrooms die.  

Jeff

 

[topoxforddoc]

Another vote for the RH Designs Analyser Pro

[logan2z]

7 minutes ago, topoxforddoc said:

Another vote for the RH Designs Analyser Pro

Thanks for helping me spend $400

[logan2z]

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the RH Designs Analyzer Pro.  Should have it in a few days, looking forward to giving it a try. 

[Michael Hiles]

I think you will enjoy it - I certainly do. You will have to do a tiny amount of wiring of a plug to get things running on North American power - no big deal.

If you have any questions getting the ball rolling, I would be happy to help from my experience, as I can. 

Edited October 31, 2018 by Michael Hiles

[logan2z]

5 minutes ago, Michael Hiles said:

I think you will enjoy it - I certainly do. You will have to do a tiny amount of wiring of a plug to get things running on North American power - no big deal.

If you have any questions getting the ball rolling, I would be happy to help from my experience, as I can. 

Thanks Michael, much appreciated.  If I run into any trouble I'll definitely reach out to you.

[pico]

On 10/24/2018 at 9:35 PM, 105012 said:

There are two timers in discussion here, the one for the enlarger exposure timing and the other for the paper development timing. For the former, see my previous post. For the latter, I have the DLG temperature compensating one, good quality and works well, recommended. 

Paper development is a completion process. All one needs is a clock on the wall with a second-hand. Three minutes max, with two minutes adequate. Some papers have developer accelerates in the emulsion to further shorten complete development time.

 

[105012]

19 minutes ago, pico said:

Paper development is a completion process. All one needs is a clock on the wall with a second-hand. Three minutes max, with two minutes adequate. Some papers have developer accelerates in the emulsion to further shorten complete development time.

 

This is how I used to do it, but now I use a temperature compensating timer (DLG Electronics) with the goal being repeatability. It works for me...

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[Michael Hiles]

Development time can be adjusted by using the Factorial approach. If, using fresh developer at normal temperature needs 2 minutes, and the image begins to emerge at 20 sec, then as temperature decreases or the developer gets staler, the total development time should be 120/20 times the new time for the image to emerge. So, in older or cooler developer, if the image starts to emerge at 30 sec, the total development time should be approximately 180 sec, or 3 minutes.

Development times can in practice extend to 5-6 minutes, according to what I read, and my experience.

All this is dealt with in Ansel Adams last edition of The Print.

[Martin B]

I am using different kind of timers for my enlargers which I all scavenged used in the past couple of years. Main difference between the ones I got is in regard to the number of outlets each timer offers - for some reason a few models lack one needed outlet in the timer body to connect both separately red light and enlarger light. I avoid using fancy ones with all kind of electronics as mentioned here earlier and instead prefer simple analog timer clock design ones. I am using an older GraLab and two Time-O-Lite timers for my enlargers.