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Darkroom timer with metronome

ericdan

Member
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Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
1,359
Location
Tokyo
Format
35mm RF
I’m looking for a darkroom timer that has a built in metronome (second beep). I’m thinking this will make dodging and burning easier as I can hear how many seconds are counting off.
What are good options for this? I don’t need anything too fancy.
Thanks!
 
Any music metronome would do. The mechanical ones are more interesting, but an electronic type might be easier to set exactly. We have a Seiko that shows 60bpm as the upper limit of the 'Largo' tempo.
 
Omega Pro Lab timer is the one I’ve been using for decades.
 
I have been using a metronome app on my iPad for all my timer needs in the darkroom.
 
A digital display timer that visibly counts down also works - in most cases.
 
The Metrolux beeps by second during exposure (and other combos). Very intuitive to use, too.

 
I have two of the Gralab 451 timers. I print by counting seconds. The timer is set on 99 seconds and I use the metronome function to do everything: timing the base exposure, dodging and burning. Get a foot switch with it for hands-free operation. The metronome starts when the timer is activated and stops when it's switched off.

I've used a regular music metronome as well when I had a cold-light head. I left the head on the whole printing session and just turned the metronome on and off as needed. The lens cap blocked the light when I didn't want it.

MattKing said:
A digital display timer that visibly counts down also works - in most cases.
Click to expand...

The point of using an audible metronome is that you can watch what you are doing and not have to look at the timer.

Best,

Doremus
 
The RH design looks interesting but is a bit too much for me. I like making test strips and “manually” figuring out my print. I don’t want to meter and then get a perfect print. That feels like clicking print on a computer to me. Anyways, the gralab 451 looks perfect except for the price. $250 everywhere. Goes on the wishlist
 
I can assure you, the RH Designs Analyzer doesn't make it that simple . It does, however, help you get into the ballpark without wasting much time/paper. But if all you're looking for is a timer with audible countdown then it is certainly overkill.
 
Doremus Scudder said:
The point of using an audible metronome is that you can watch what you are doing and not have to look at the timer.
Click to expand...
I have good peripheral vision, and my timer display sits just below and in front of the easel
 
I have an old Paterson unit that bleeps, for situations like this. I'm not sure how often they come up for sale though?

Terry S
 
MattKing said:
I have good peripheral vision, and my timer display sits just below and in front of the easel
Click to expand...

You're better at multi-tasking than I am. I have trouble counting the seconds from the metronome and watching what I'm doing I've got the countdown display on my timers taped over.

@OP
BTW, I looked yesterday and my timers are Gralab 450s, not 451s. Basically the same, just an earlier model. You can probably pick one up used for cheap. Do get the footswitch.

Doremus
 
I use a timer for the exposure while using a metronome for burning burning and dodging. Remember to start counting at zero when you begin so that you correctly count the seconds.
 
Sirius Glass said:
I use a timer for the exposure while using a metronome for burning burning and dodging. Remember to start counting at zero when you begin so that you correctly count the seconds.
Click to expand...

Or, you can count like we musicians do, e.g., "1-2-3-4-Off" for four seconds. That's just the same as, "0-1-2-3-4."

Best,

Doremus
 
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