densitometers

[Chuck_P]

I'm looking for some suggestions on a basic black and white transmission densitometer. There are so many on ebay to choose from and I was wandering what some of you may be using or what you may recommend as a good one to have that is a reasonable cost.

Thanks
Chuck

 

[Nick Zentena]

Consider a colour one instead. Even if you never use the colour features for colour you can use it for some B&W processes IIRC. PYRO?

Only other thing I remember is some of the really old ones have no longer available bulbs. So check that.

 

[Michael W]

I have an X-Rite 810, picked it up for $50 from a mini lab that had closed. I use it to check my B&W negs when I am trying new combinations & want an objective value. (BTW, anyone who is going to chime into this thread with a "why don't you just concentrate on making photos instead of obsessing over technical data" can go **** themselves right now. They made densitometers for a reason, mate.)

 

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hi Chuck !
Buy only one build by the BIG ones. And the most recent you can afford.
Bear in mind that you may need the manual (to calibrate it and to learn to change the bulb) So if the ne you buy is too old, you won't find the manual on the website nor the bulbs....
I've bought years ago one made for the printing market able to read UV and visible light. Uv is quite good for Pyro negs. So yu may consider these if you do not go color...
Last but not least, old X-Rite models are made of cast aluminium bodies. They are heavy and expensive to ship.... Often more than the unit itself.

 

[percepts]

The Heiland TRD-2 would be perfect for your requirements. Its the one I have and it has been incredibly useful to me.
Its basic and is only for B+W and is simplicity itself to use.

http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/darkroom/html/trd-series.html

 

[Roger Hicks]

The Heiland TRD-2 would be perfect for your requirements. Its the one I have and it has been incredibly useful to me.
Its basic and is only for B+W and is simplicity itself to use.

http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/darkroom/html/trd-series.html

Seconded. I don't think you can easily do better. This is a new densitometer from a reputable company with good support. I've had mine for a good few years now.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Zathras]

I have an X-Rite 810, picked it up for $50 from a mini lab that had closed. I use it to check my B&W negs when I am trying new combinations & want an objective value. (BTW, anyone who is going to chime into this thread with a "why don't you just concentrate on making photos instead of obsessing over technical data" can go **** themselves right now. They made densitometers for a reason, mate.)

I second the X-Rite. Just be sure to get the manual with it, as you will need it to calibrate the densitometer from time to time. It is a great little machine, and has actually freed me obsessing over technical data and I can now concentrate on making photos, having a better idea how my materials are going to behave.

 

[Byron Worthen]

Voting also for the Heiland. I guess it wouldn't help with reading pyro stain, but I am not a pyro user. For regular ol' black and white negatives, it is great. It can also do reflectance, if you want to get into reading your zone VIII on your prints. I use mine for negatives just to check the densities of shadows, mids, and clouds/white water and compare them with what I expected on my exposure notes. Sometimes I use the difference to fine tune the development of a backup negative. Sometimes I am happy to find that all of that zone stuff worked out. Sometimes I toss the negative because I know my great image is never going to print worth a damn!

 

[mono]

Heiland!

 

[Chuck_P]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Chuck