GAS and Analyser Pro

[mr rusty]

I needed a decent enlarger timer for my new darkroom, and in a moment of semi-madness forked out for an analyser pro from RH. It came today and I have just used it for the first time. I have to say I am mega impressed. OK, I'm a newbie, and I guess the experienced get near-perfect results easily. However, first 4 prints tonight using the analyser and I find that they came out really well, no test strips.

 

[rrankin]

When I was doing a lot of printing a few years ago in Australia, I picked up one of those from RH Designs as well. It made a huge difference in the quality and repeatability of my prints. If I ever start doing a lot of printing again, that will be one of my first purchases.
Richard

 

[paul_c5x4]

With the cost of paper at it's present level and the likelyhood that it will continue to increase, I'm going to have to have invest in one of these. With any luck, I can also use it for some rudimentary sensitometry measurements of my negs and hone the film development process too.

 

[R.Gould]

I got one a few years ago, best darkroom accessory I ever got, saves a fortune in paper, and on the odd time I have needed help the backup and service is second to none, I couldn't manage without it now,
Richard

 

[Blighty]

RH Designs is good kit. I have the Stopclock Pro which, for the way I work, is absolutely essential. I have it coupled to a Zonemaster II, which, if I'm in a rush, I use to make work prints, albeit pretty decent ones. If I'm making a 'fine art' print (I detest that term) I'll use the Zonemaster to get me in the ballpark for serious test-stripping. In either scenario, the Stopclock Pro is always at the heart of things.

 

[pentaxuser]

Richard you have joined the only "club" I know of in photographic terms where no one is dissatisfied. As far as service is concerned it couldn't be better if Richard Ross practically lived next door to you

pentaxuser

 

[PKM-25]

Gas...?...what gas?...

In the past two months I have purchased a Stop Clock Vario, ProcessMaster-II and a PaperFlasher-II, they all play nice together and make my time more productive in the darkroom...

My contribution to the loveFest-II.

 

[Moopheus]

I join this club now--I just got an older model Analyser that happened to turn up on ebay. So far I haven't been able to get a good print in one shot, but it does seem to save paper and time. Do any of you use yours to do split grade printing? The instructions are vague about procedure.

 

[R.Gould]

I join this club now--I just got an older model Analyser that happened to turn up on ebay. So far I haven't been able to get a good print in one shot, but it does seem to save paper and time. Do any of you use yours to do split grade printing? The instructions are vague about procedure.

If you want to find out more about using any RH designs equipment then go to the RH website at http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk and everything you need to know is there, and if you need to know any more you can contact Richard Ross though the site.
Richard

 

[RH Designs]

Or here!

Thanks for all the kind words

Re: split-grade printing. Yes, you can do it but our meters are really intended for single exposures through the appropriate filter. If you really want to use the split-grade method this is how:

(1) Set the grade 0 exposure by simply taking a reading of a highlight at grade 0, that determines the soft exposure. Take a reading of a shadow area at grade 0 and note the position of the LED on the grey scale - this indicates what tone there will be in the shadows following the soft exposure. Make a note of the soft exposure time.

(2) Clear the measurements, switch to grade 5 and take a shadow reading. Place the LED in the same position as it was at grade 0. Note this exposure time reading. Now increase the time setting until the LED reaches the far black end of the scale. Note the new time reading, and subtract the time just noted. That difference is the hard exposure time.

(3) Set grade 0 and expose the paper for the time noted in (1), then set grade 5 and expose for the time noted in (2).

It's easier to do than to describe, but it's easier still to use a single exposure!

 

[Mike Wilde]

I am too cheap to get to Richards great gear yet. When one of the the tubes finally goes in my 40 or so year old Melico analyser/timer, I guess I will make the bite.

My colour analyser for the other enlarger is a Lici colourstar 3000, and I will be sad the day it dies as well. A great tool. I have printed colour without an analyser/timer, and this piece of kit makes it a whole lot more productive.

That said, my little em-10 is handy in some circumstances as well.

 

[Moopheus]

Or here!


It's easier to do than to describe, but it's easier still to use a single exposure!

Thanks for the clarification; I figured it was something like that. Of course it would be easier in one exposure, but there are times when having that little bit of extra contrast control is nice too.

 

[paul_c5x4]

first 4 prints tonight using the analyser and I find that they came out really well, no test strips.

Did two prints on Art 300 Sunday night, and decided to do another two from the same neg this morning - Both sessions produced virtually identical prints without resorting to test strips or wasted paper. If I can repeat the results each time I do any printing, the Analyser I purchased should pay for it's self within a year or two.

The densitometer function is telling me that most of my negs are overdeveloped, so I'm going to have to work on that side of things to the best out of my prints. Once that is nailed, I can start thinking about using some of the rolls of paper I've got for some real big prints