No more Dektol - what dev should I buy?

[fschifano]

What would a good scale cost? What type is recommended? I did a search for the old fashion scale that you put weight on one side of the beam, then use the other side to measure out a matching amount. Came up empty. Only found triple beam or electronic. Seemed expensive although I may just be cheap. Any suggestions would be appreciated. T

Not that much. Check the link. This scale measures down to 1/10th gram, has a tare function, and costs less than $40 USD.

Dead Link Removed

 

[dancqu]

I did a search for the old fashion scale ...

Try, balance, pan, two or double or twin. Let us know if
that brings up anything.
I've a 2000 gram two pan balance I rigged to weigh
.01 gram quantities. I now use an Acculab .01 gram
electronic digital. Much happier. Dan

 

[gainer]

Try, balance, pan, two or double or twin. Let us know if
that brings up anything.
I've a 2000 gram two pan balance I rigged to weigh
.01 gram quantities. I now use an Acculab .01 gram
electronic digital. Much happier. Dan

I'm sure you know that in order to get the accuracy that your precision permits, you must have the weights and the material you are weighing on the same pan. This is done by substitution. You put enough sand or the like in the pan opposite the weight to balance the weight and then replace the weight with enough material to balance the sand.

I have personally never found an application in photography that requires +/- .01 grams accuracy. Maybe you can demonstrate such an application by doing a sensitivity analysis.

 

[dancqu]

"... put enough sand or the like in the
pan opposite the weight to balance the weight and
then replace the weight with enough material to
balance the sand."

"I have personally never found an application in
photography that requires +/-.01 grams accuracy."

We must have had different instructors.

That +/- .01 gram accuracy is no problem, a snap, a breeze,
as easy as pie, etc. I've got the bucks. I spent $129 for a
brand new 200 gram .01 gram resolution Acculab. It will
likely last 20 years or more.

I don't worry about accuracy. A .01 gram accuracy is no
bother at all. Another thing I don't worry about is how much
inaccuracy I can get away with and I don't spend time
testing for tolerable inaccuracies. Dan

 

[gainer]

We must have had different instructors.

That +/- .01 gram accuracy is no problem, a snap, a breeze,
as easy as pie, etc. I've got the bucks. I spent $129 for a
brand new 200 gram .01 gram resolution Acculab. It will
likely last 20 years or more.

I don't worry about accuracy. A .01 gram accuracy is no
bother at all. Another thing I don't worry about is how much
inaccuracy I can get away with and I don't spend time
testing for tolerable inaccuracies. Dan

I don't worry about accuracy when I know how much error I can tolerate. On the other hand, if I don't know how much error I can tolerate because my measurements are so accurate, I also don't know if a small amount more or less of a particular component will improve my developer. I don't consider these experiments wasted. In fact I have learned through doing them that no balance or scale is even required for most of the formulas I use.

 

[dancqu]

I don't worry about accuracy when I know how
much error I can tolerate.
On the other hand, if I don't know how much error I
can tolerate because my measurements are so accurate,
I also don't know if a small amount more or less of a particular
component will improve my developer.
I don't consider these experiments wasted. In fact I have
learned through doing them that no balance or scale is
even required for most of the formulas I use.

One sentence at a time:

For yourself it is "... error I can tolerate." For myself it is
"... error I WILL tolerate." I will tolerate a 1% error on weight
and volume. I weigh out no less than 1 gram amounts and
use the to-the-line method for volumes.

When small changes in amounts are to be made I make
them when compounding and/or after when splitting the
stock or concentrate. By that method I've been able
to determine the least amount of chemistry needed
to fully develop or fix a print or a roll of film.

No balance or scale is required for compounding most of
the formulas you use. I think that may be taken even
farther; none is needed for any formula. Be prepared
though for some trial and error.

Personally I've no use for volumetric measurement of
materials known for their gram atomic, gram molecular,
and gram formula weights and sold in gram quantities.

I'd likely be more tempted to use volumetric methods
with dry materials if I were still using a two pan single,
or a two or three beam balance.

The digital scale is much more convenient. For most,
I suggest a good brand, small two digit capacity scale,
with .01 gram resolution and accuracy. Dan