I have foot switches, but don't use them as a regular thing. Where they can be really useful is working with panchromatic sheets making copies - much easier to find the switch next to my foot than reach for a button in the full dark.
There are only so many darkroom topics. As forum members age they forget they have discussed them before, so they discuss them again. As newcomers come into the hobby, they encounter the problems for the first time, and they discuss them with other newcomers. Old forum members jump in to share their wisdom. The newcomers complain they are being lectured to and leave the forum. The old forum members become indignant and retrench, eventually forgetting they have discussed the topic. The cycle continues.Similar thread from a few months ago:
After decades of using a enlarging Time-O-Lite, I got the Zone VI-provided footswitch
This should be a sticky! I know that if you need a window winder handle for a Volkswagen Rabbit, you need a 321 837 581 A O1C, and if you have to replace the valve guides on a Toyota 2TC engine, you need a .317" reamer to go in and clean things up afterwards. These memories are from 30-40 years ago.As forum members age they forget they have discussed them before, so they discuss them again.
Did that result in better prints, or make it easier to make good prints? I'm an old Time-O-Lite user too. For B&W, my single exposures w/ the budget timer have worked pretty well.
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.
But my floor is carpeted. In Los Angeles all multistory multiunit buildings must have all bedrooms carpeted. The extra bedroom is my dry darkroom.
So you couldn't argue it is a darkroom and not a bedroom?
My Heiland split grade controller came with a foot switch, but I never used it. Reading all those positive reactions I think I will try it next time.
A footswitch is not hard to learn to use. When you were 16 and learning to drive, you probably picked up the whole accelerator and brake thing pretty quickly. I mean it probably didn't take long before you didn't have to look down at your feet or anything. If you never learned to drive, perhaps you've stepped on a roach before.
Perhaps one can only really learn to use a footswitch properly if one has previously learned to drive a vehicle with a manual clutch and transmission!
The footswitch is invaluable to me. But in my case, I don't really have enough dexterity in one of my two hands to reliably start a printing exposure with that hand.
So for me, when there is burning and dodging involved, having a footswitch makes a really big difference. Holding a dodging wand in my teeth doesn't really work.
All of which is to say that a footswitch adds capability - whether or not you make use of that, depends on your choices and preferences.
I agree with what you have said, but would point out that you do not need to use two feet to operate a footswitch as you do to drive a car with a manual transmission.
To drive a manual transmission car, you need to have two talented feet - makes you a perfect candidate for using a footswitch!
Do you alternate feet when you operate your footswitch or are you just leaving that option open?
But my floor is carpeted. In Los Angeles all multistory multiunit buildings must have all bedrooms carpeted. The extra bedroom is my dry darkroom.
I was joking. I refuse to use emoticons so you are forgiven for not recognizing the humor, such that it was.I had a girlfriend who had a push-button Valiant. I'm not sure you could put it in reverse while moving, but the park setting was clever that moved horizontally next to the buttons.
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