Printalyzer - Darkroom enlarging timer & exposure meter

[dkonigs]

What is the light source?

Not sure I understand the question. What specifically are you referring to?

 

[mshchem]

Not sure I understand the question. What specifically are you referring to?

What sorts of light sources is this controlling? I haven't a clue if LED, dichroic, old fashioned tungsten light bulb etc makes any difference?

My "regular" enlarger is a Beseler 4x5 with a Universal 45 RGB dichroic light source, that is still miraculously running, this sure wouldn't be compatible with your device.

I also have and don't use much, Zone VI (5×7 and 8x10) enlargers with VC cold lights, these are controlled by either a Metrolux II or a Stopclock Vario. So would I need to buy LED sources to use your device??

I have never taken the time or have the brains to completely understand the Stopclock Vario. I would be able to buy a spiffy used Fiat 500 for what LED sources would cost for these 3 enlargers.

Best Regards Mike

 

[dkonigs]

What sorts of light sources is this controlling? I haven't a clue if LED, dichroic, old fashioned tungsten light bulb etc makes any difference?

By default, it just controls a normal enlarger by turning power to an outlet on and off. Just like any other enlarger timer.

However, it also has the ability to control enlargers with more sophisticated control mechanisms via a DMX512-compatible control port. But its best to think of that as more of an "expansion option" than something that is required.

While the manual is still very much a work-in-progress, it does show a good overview of the basics and all the ports:
https://docs.dektronics.com/timer/

 

[ScandiPhoto]

Maybe it's been mentioned in the thread. But would this unit work for c41 film? I assume it should, but I cant find any color paper profiles in the manual.

 

[dkonigs]

Maybe it's been mentioned in the thread. But would this unit work for c41 film? I assume it should, but I cant find any color paper profiles in the manual.

For actual printing, it absolutely will work for C-41 film. Timing is timing, so most of the functionality will work perfectly. I even added a special "Blackout switch" to the device that lets you turn off all of its illumination so you can handle color materials without having to physically cover the timer for paper safety.

(I'm also going to be supporting the control of color LED enlargers through the DMX expansion port, complete with on-device adjustment of the color channels, but that's more of a "bonus feature" at this point.)

Its just print exposure metering that won't work for C-41, because doing that would basically need the full functionality of a color analyzer. Hardware-wise, that probably means a meter probe with a much fancier sensor. Software-wise, that means a lot of work to add functionality to support all of this. (I might do this in the future, but its not something I'm working on right now.)

 

[mshchem]

The issue I have is my Beseler Universal 45 dichro head has built-in timer, filter controller (variable contrast constant exposure) closed loop. This is a mid 90's design, these are somewhat glitchy. I have collected spares over the years so hopefully I will be OK. I like the halogen lamps.
If I was running a condenser lamp housing or a led I would be more of a natural fit for this device,

 

[dkonigs]

The issue I have is my Beseler Universal 45 dichro head has built-in timer, filter controller (variable contrast constant exposure) closed loop. This is a mid 90's design, these are somewhat glitchy. I have collected spares over the years so hopefully I will be OK. I like the halogen lamps.
If I was running a condenser lamp housing or a led I would be more of a natural fit for this device,

Yeah, a lot of those older "bespoke" enlarger heads are always going to be an issue.

I have looked extensively at the Ilford 500 Multigrade head, and have a good understanding of its control panel interface, and may be able to make an adapter for it. But as far as the rest, its hard to know what's worth spending time on, and how feasible it would be to actually do so.

 

[mshchem]

Yeah, a lot of those older "bespoke" enlarger heads are always going to be an issue.

I have looked extensively at the Ilford 500 Multigrade head, and have a good understanding of its control panel interface, and may be able to make an adapter for it. But as far as the rest, its hard to know what's worth spending time on, and how feasible it would be to actually do so.

Well, I think you have the right approach!

All of the Beseler heads are antique, at least as far as the 4x5 line up goes. Fraught with problems you'll expect with 30 year old electronics.
If I lose my current dichro setup to gremlins, I would be back using a condenser head with a a PH 212 tungsten bulb.

So simple straight forward design would be perfect (my situation is unusual)!