Anyone Using a Metronome For a Timer

gone · Nov 11, 2014

Years ago I watched an Ansel Adams video, and he mentioned that he used a metronome as a timer. Anyone here using one? My darkroom is just about complete, and was wondering whether to spring for a cheap Time O Lite timer or something like that, or buy an even cheaper metronome and buy some film w/ the difference. Actually, the little alarm clock that I use for a film developing timer is pretty audible, but the idea of using a metronome appeals to me. You can buy the small electronic metronomes that musicians use for $5, but I think I'd want a "real" one.

ParkerSmithPhoto · Nov 11, 2014

Lots of free metronome apps on the Apple App Store.

Michael Smith has some great notes on using a metronome on his website.

But, as I always say, they'll get my Darkroom Automation f-stop timer when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers...

Dr Croubie · Nov 11, 2014

There's an app on my ipood that I use, called 'Develop!', primarily for timing film developing.
I've got one recipe on it that just beeps every second, that's going constantly when I'm in my darkroom.

Ghostman · Nov 11, 2014

A metronome will certainly keep time, but you can imagine the 'wait, was that 20 or 30 seconds that I just counted'

As charming as the idea is, a metronome won't tell you when to stop. A cheap darkroom clock that ticks AND shows you numbers will be far more useful. So would a digital timer

MattKing · Nov 11, 2014

A digital timer with a metronome function works well for me.

Shawn Dougherty · Nov 11, 2014

I use a metronome for printing, wouldn't work any other way. As mentioned above, it's all on you though so if you loose focus easily it may not be your best bet.

If you end up buying one make certain it has a sound that you find pleasing, you'll be hearing it for a long time.

Truzi · Nov 11, 2014

I've not used a metronome for printing, but have for practicing guitar (hope my Prof is reading, lol).

Anyway, as Shawn said, make sure you find the sound pleasing. I have one that beeps - it is very annoying despite all it's features. It was only $10, but so annoying I used it only a couple times before going back to my old one.
The old one is an electronic unit, but it clicks (oddly, it will skip a beat every so often).

Gerald C Koch · Nov 11, 2014

If you are doing d0dging or burning you really need some sort of auditory counter. You can't take your eyes off the print to watch a visual timer. For prints that do not require such manipulation I use a digital timer that controls my enlarger. When developing I watch an old stopwatch.

gone · Nov 11, 2014

Good point Gerald. Of course, we all nail the exposure in the camera and don't need to do any of that, right? Well, maybe not.

Sounds smart to get one w/ a pleasant "tick, tock" sound. I used to have one, but after our last move, it moved, apparently. I really enjoy watching the things too (easily amused, wife shakes head). Maybe I can paint the arm that goes back and forth w/ luminous paint.

I've been retrogressing/simplifying my photography, and look forward to trying some contact printing ala Weston w/ a little light bulb on a cord that's hung from the ceiling. A metronome would be perfect for what I expect will be longer exposures than w/ an enlarger. Besides the contact printing, this will be more for art photos from my plastic cameras, vs technically perfect stuff (as if I ever did that anyway), so the metronome should work well.

photo8x10 · Nov 11, 2014

I use metronome, I think is easy to print counting the seconds by metronome... I have one old, That I used when I studied Piano, and one
on my Iphone, and it works perfectly...
For me is one of the necessary items for my darkroom...

NedL · Nov 11, 2014

That's what I use. It helps me manage the "warmup" time for my cold light, and I like it for dodging and burning.
I use use the mp3 from here and built a little switch so that I can switch back and forth from my music without losing my place in the music.....

John Koehrer · Nov 11, 2014

Metrognome, isn't that a Gnome with a fanny pack?

...............Sorry......................................... Really I am.........................Honest, trust me!

RalphLambrecht · Nov 11, 2014

momus said:
Years ago I watched an Ansel Adams video, and he mentioned that he used a metronome as a timer. Anyone here using one? My darkroom is just about complete, and was wondering whether to spring for a cheap Time O Lite timer or something like that, or buy an even cheaper metronome and buy some film w/ the difference. Actually, the little alarm clock that I use for a film developing timer is pretty audible, but the idea of using a metronome appeals to me. You can buy the small electronic metronomes that musicians use for $5, but I think I'd want a "real" one.

I use it onlyfor dodging.it helps during the main exposure while the main timer is runningto dodge in a repeatable fashionbut I can see it being used for burnng too.However ,since burning times can be rather long,the sound may drive one bonkers quickly.For the shorter dodging times, it easier to put up with:munch:

Jim Jones · Nov 11, 2014

My GE type T-48 timer has a dial like other electromechanical timers, but also ticks once a second while the enlarging lamp is on. I find this valuable for burning and dodging. Mechanical and quartz clocks were also useful. Godowsky and Mannes' use of music while doing the research that led to Kodachrome sounds less annoying.

dpurdy · Nov 11, 2014

Metronomes are old school. When I went to photo school in the 70s the print room timer was a metronome and several people used it at the same time. I use a Beseler audible timer now and always keep the beep on. I like it, am addicted to it, seems too quiet without the beeps to count. My printing times now are often very short.
Dennis

MartinP · Nov 11, 2014

Watch out for buying an old clockwork timer to control the enlarger exposure, they can be quite imprecise and that could be significant on shorter exposures. An electronic timer may be more consistent.

I, along with so many others it seems, do use a metronome when timing burning-in and holding-back. If one prefers to have music in the darkroom then you can find an electronic metronome (eg. Seiko SQ50V, cheap and cheerful) that flashes a red led, then turn down the 'tock' volume and count the flashes out of the corner of your eye.

L Gebhardt · Nov 11, 2014

I tried a metronome and it was a disaster. I have no musical ability, but I figured I could count just fine. Apparently not. My mind wanders and my prints were all over the place. So I now use an fstop timer and all is good for me. Though I do sometimes wish for the simplicity of the metronome.

Bill Burk · Nov 11, 2014

John Koehrer said:
Metrognome, isn't that a Gnome with a fanny pack?

...............Sorry......................................... Really I am.........................Honest, trust me!

What's that clicking noise? Ha ha haaaa hee hee hee

Bill Burk · Nov 11, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
I use it onlyfor dodging.it helps during the main exposure while the main timer is runningto dodge in a repeatable fashionbut I can see it being used for burnng too.However ,since burning times can be rather long,the sound may drive one bonkers quickly.For the shorter dodging times, it easier to put up with:munch:

My metronome sound comes from an old Omega ART timer (so you know it's for making art!). I set the main time to include burn (but I see the weakness in that plan - I only get to burn one thing!). After starting the the exposure, it doesn't matter how many clicks I let go... Once I start the burn, I only need to count the burn seconds. Same for dodging (again - one shape - what a dumb idea).

michr · Nov 11, 2014

I used one for the past year, mostly because I'm too cheap to buy a darkroom timer new. Got a small digital one at the guitar store with red lights. Maybe now that I've found a used darkroom timer, I can learn to dodge and burn. I've been using my hands to mark each interval.

Newt_on_Swings · Nov 12, 2014

MattKing said:
A digital timer with a metronome function works well for me.

Yes a digital timer such a a gralab 450 or 451 has a metronome function which is great for dodging and burning.

Xmas · Nov 12, 2014

Ok for that have not read Ansell like me but have been told verbally or not.

I mark up the last print with dodge and burn seconds and for multiple dodges

dodge1 tick tick ... tick
dodge2 ...
etc.
during main exposure

flip on the enlarger light with burn tool in place and

burn1 tick tick ...
burn2 tick tick tick ...
etc.

reading each time off other print

bit like sight reading music for piano
A difficult negative used to take a weekend...

joh · Nov 12, 2014

I've used a Zone VI Tic Toc Timer with my old cold light head for 8 or 10 years, and I've loved working with it.
It is like a metronome with a light sensor that monitors the fluctuations of the light from the cold light head and adjust the time between the ticks if needed.

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 12, 2014

I never used a metronome as a timer but did use the one second beeper to help time dodging and burning.

Bill Burk · Nov 12, 2014

Xmas said:
Ok for that have not read Ansell like me but have been told verbally or not.

I mark up the last print with dodge and burn seconds and for multiple dodges

dodge1 tick tick ... tick
dodge2 ...
etc.
during main exposure

flip on the enlarger light with burn tool in place and

burn1 tick tick ...
burn2 tick tick tick ...
etc.

reading each time off other print

bit like sight reading music for piano
A difficult negative used to take a weekend...

Of course that's how it works! I can do lots of dodges with my single exposure, but only the one burn... Unless I start the timer again (and after the required ticks I hold the cardboard to the lens until the timer reaches 0). And I never noticed that because one burn is usually enough for me.

Anyone Using a Metronome For a Timer

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