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Enlarging Timers, What do you use?

RH Designs Stopclock Pro. I love it! Cold dead hands, and all that!
 
The ever-popular Gralab 300. Used ones are plentiful and relatively cheap. I think every darkroom I've ever been in has had one. I would love to have one of those Darkroom Automation systems, but won't be able to afford it for a while yet.
 
Three of my enlargers have digital timers built in to the power supplies, so I use those for timing.
 
RH Designs Analyzer Pro. Great little machine!
 
RH Designs Analyzer Pro. Simply excellent!!!
 
Colorstar 3000 for b&w + colour and Heiland Split Grade Controller pure b&w.
 
I still have the timer I made twenty years ago. Set the time with a couple of thumbwheel switches, press Start and it counts down to zero on a seven segment LED display.


Steve.
 
I use the Beseler timer. I like it because it beeps ever second - a big plus in dodging and burning. In the past I have used an electromechanical timer similar to the Timolite and the GraLab. The electromechanical timer was nice, but it eventually failed. The GraLab is good for processing, but not so good for enlarging. You have to reset it for each exposure, and, although it has a big luminous dial, it can be hard to see the hands in the dark. The GraLab in my hands is also quite subject to errors in setting and operation.
 
I've got a pretty cheap-o Electra DT 111S. Every now and then it will click to turn off but not actually turn off, so I have to watch my watch while I enlarge. I've been meaning to buy a replacement, but student finances prohibit it.
 
GraLab 450 on LPL Saunders 4550XLG/VCCE Enlarger
RH Designs StopClock Vario on Durst 138S with 12x12 Aristo cold light

If I used the 45 enlarger frequently I would either move the RH Designs back and forth between enlargers or get a second one depending on volume. The reasons for the RH Designs have been listed by others above and in many previous threads. For the last two years I have used the Durst primarily, either as an 810 enlarger or a 7x17 contact print frame light source.

John Powers
 
Home made F-stop timer using a Parallax Basic Stamp chip. It also drives the LED safelights I built.
 
RH Designs timer

Since switching to one of Richard's timers - all else has gone out the window...

Mark
 
I recall a rather prolonged and occasionally heated discussion last year about the merits and demerits } ) of the timers and meters produced by Richard and Nicolas. I believe one can reliably state that both gentlemen produce products of the highest caliber, and provide support and advice that is exceptional. As is the case with so many items that can be used in photography, there simply is no "best". Indeed, "older timers" can be used to good advantage using the usual test strips and tenths of seconds rather then the f stop timer techniques. After careful investigation I purchased the items made by Nicolas Lindan, and I have been quite pleased. The price point was "better", and Nicolas is easy to call when help is needed. I thought that service-should any be needed-would be easier for me since I live in the USA. However, I have read the glowing reports about the RH equipment, and I certainly would like to have the chance to use the RH designed items in order to see and experience any "differences". No doubt, Richard will also be easily available to those in his part of the world.

I suspect that the real bottom line is learning to use the timer that you purchase to the best of your ability, never forgetting that there are other variables that must be controlled: your negatives, your chemistry, and your paper. Of these, it is likely that no timer will compensate for inadequately exposed negatives-but, I suspect that you already know about that!

Best of luck with whatever you decide to use, and keep us informed about how things are going.

Edwin
 
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