Do you use a footswitch with your enlarger?

Ulophot · Oct 22, 2022

(I posted this over at LF Info and thought I'd ask here as well.)

Some timers offer it as an option; I know some photographers who have been able to rig their own, DIY. It's convenient though not as necessary for those who use a single long exposure rather than a cumulative exposure from a number of shorter exposures, e.g., 3 seconds times 8.

After decades of using a enlarging Time-O-Lite, I got the Zone VI-provided footswitch (apparently called momentary, requiring just a tap to start the timing) when I bought the compensating timer. Recently, I had to sort through some specifications, re: type of connector, wires needed, open or closed, for the friend who is building the LED head for my D2.

I'm curious how others work in this respect.

GregY · Oct 22, 2022

Yes, I have the Zone VI VC head on my Beseler 45MXT, and use the footswitch to the compensating timer....but sometimes the footswitch connector works its way out of the timer and i just reach over and press the red button on the timer
I don't have a footswitch on my Durst 138, and a much simpler timer.

Paul Howell · Oct 22, 2022

I have foot switch with an Omega timer that I use on occasion, but not all that often when I'm working on a negative with complicated burning and dodging that requires both hands. I have seen over the years 3rd party foot switched that plug in between the wall socket and enlarger, the enlarger is always on, timing is done with a metronome set to 60 beats pre second.

faberryman · Oct 22, 2022

I wouldn't be without my footswitch.

Pieter12 · Oct 22, 2022

I use a foot switch, just not with my foot. I found it difficult to locate on the floor and even sometimes tripped accidentally. So it sits on a table and I tap it with my hand, a little more convenient than where the timer is located on the wall.

Sirius Glass · Oct 22, 2022

I too use a foot switch. It sometimes decides to mover around to a worse position so I have to get on the floor and bring it back to where it should be.

koraks · Oct 22, 2022

Pieter12 said:
I found it difficult to locate on the floor and even sometimes tripped accidentally.

I pasted a piece of glow in the dark material onto mine. It really helps and it's far too dim to fog anything from its position on the floor.
My timer/controller is mounted to the side of the baseplate of the enlarger (Durst 138), so I prefer using the footswitch as this doesn't make any vibrations to the enlarger setup. For changing filtration settings etc. the controller location is really convenient.

Sirius Glass · Oct 22, 2022

koraks said:
I pasted a piece of glow in the dark material onto mine. It really helps and it's far too dim to fog anything from its position on the floor.
My timer/controller is mounted to the side of the baseplate of the enlarger (Durst 138), so I prefer using the footswitch as this doesn't make any vibrations to the enlarger setup. For changing filtration settings etc. the controller location is really convenient.

Mine came with the glow in the dark material, but I still have to get on the floor to chase after it.

koraks · Oct 22, 2022

Mine tends to lodge itself in-between the horizontal legs of the floor stand of the 138. It's difficult to rake it back with my foot, so I also have to get down on my knees at the start of a session to retrieve it.
But hey, at least I know where to find it in the dark!

Lachlan Young · Oct 22, 2022

The MG500 footswitch is both useful and not useful at the same time - the metronome is far more useful.

Pieter12 · Oct 22, 2022

This gives me an idea. Make a small platform the size of the fooswitch so it is not easily stepped on by mistake. And screw it to the enlarger table leg so it's always in the same place. Might try that one. It would make it easier for two-handed dodging and burning rather than resorting to some of the wire, tape and cardboard contraptions I sometimes rig up for dodging and burning.

faberryman · Oct 22, 2022

It is just not a big problem. Mountain. Molehill.

What is a big problem is starting a metronome with your foot, but I am sure Lachlan's got that all figured out.

Pieter12 · Oct 22, 2022

It is a problem if you accidentally switch on the enlarger/timer while you are switching contrast filters during split grade printing.

gordrob · Oct 22, 2022

Pieter12 said:
I use a foot switch, just not with my foot. I found it difficult to locate on the floor and even sometimes tripped accidentally. So it sits on a table and I tap it with my hand, a little more convenient than where the timer is located on the wall.

I have the same set up and tap it with my hand but I put a piece of velcro on the bottom so it doesn't move around on the ledge besides the L138. I also use a couple of air activated foot switches on the darkroom wet side to control the overhead lights.

faberryman · Oct 22, 2022

Pieter12 said:
It is a problem if you accidentally switch on the enlarger/timer while you are switching contrast filters during split grade printing.

Don't accidentally step on the footswitch. If you do, it is a problem. How many times has this happened to you? Is it a frequently recurring problem, If so, the problem is not the footswitch.

Pieter12 · Oct 22, 2022

It only needed to happen once for me to move the footswitch to the table.

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Oct 22, 2022

I'm a gadget completist, so when I bought my GraLab 450, I felt I had to have it.

But I ended up finding it very useful when I make large enlargements (reduces the anxiety of wasting a sheet through shaking) and of course for dodging and burning.

faberryman · Oct 22, 2022

Pieter12 said:
It only needed to happen once for me to move the footswitch to the table.

I think the benefits of using a footswitch outweigh the consequences of accidentally stepping on the footswitch every once in a while, not that I ever have. But everyone has a different workflow so that's okay. No problem.

Mick Fagan · Oct 22, 2022

Wouldn't be without mine. This current one is around 25 years old, prior to that I had a footswitch cobbled together from an old sewing machine.

Having a focus switch, right pedal, as well as setting the timer off, left pedal, is so handy. Pretty much indispensable when doing very large sectional enlargements with the baseboard somewhere near the floor and one walking around burning and dodging.

albada · Oct 22, 2022

Pieter12 said:
It is a problem if you accidentally switch on the enlarger/timer while you are switching contrast filters during split grade printing.

Such accidents are easy when wearing shoes. When using two hands for a dodge/burn, I'll put the footswitch on my lap vertically between my legs, almost at my knees, and squeeze my legs together to trip the switch. Works well, with no accidents.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 22, 2022

Yes. Then both hands are free to dodge and burn, pick my nose if needed.

Ulophot · Oct 22, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I too use a foot switch. It sometimes decides to mover around to a worse position so I have to get on the floor and bring it back to where it should be.

I keep mine from moving with a couple of pieces of gaffers tape. It sticks well to the smooth rubber fatigue mat I have at the enlarger station.

Rick A · Oct 22, 2022

Have a foot switch on each of my enlargers, they make life easy.

MattKing · Oct 22, 2022

All the time. I've paid substantial amounts of money to add one (to my old Ilford Multigrade 400 setup, with its unusual connector).
My enlarger is usually on a cart, and it is easier to protect it from vibrations when the footswich is on the tile floor.

ags2mikon · Oct 22, 2022

I have a foot switch on one of my enlargers that uses a metronome set to 60 beats per min. That enlarger is on a 12 volt system in my motor home. Some of my other timers in the home darkroom also have foot switches to start the timer. I find them useful and worth the little issues mentioned by others.

Do you use a footswitch with your enlarger?

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