Purchasing a Gram Scale

stevenje · 2025-12-18T17:59:25-0500

I am looking to buy a gram scale for the darkroom. Any recommendations on which one to buy?
Thanks in advance.

xkaes · 2025-12-18T18:23:20-0500

There are a ton to choose from. You first need to decide what the maximum weight you will ever need to weigh. The smaller the less expensive. Then decide how fine a measurement you want -- 1gr, 0.1gr, 0.01gr, etc. The finer the more expensive. Then do you want digital or analog. You can get a lot of great USED analog scales for next to nothing because everyone wants digital. But analog never needs batteries.

I use an Ohaus CENT-O-GRAM. Up to 311 grams (11 ounces), and measures to 0.01 gr.

fgorga · 2025-12-18T18:59:37-0500

I wanted a small portable scale so I did not have to drag my AC powered lab-grade digital balance to a workshop I was teaching.

Thus. I bought this one... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DJBDL6L a month ago. 500 g capacity , 0.01 g resolution which is good enough for most alt process work.

It got a heavy workout during the day long workshop without a hitch.

mshchem · 2025-12-18T19:19:31-0500

The old Ohaus "high-school science " mechanical balances work great. Nothing with springs. The Ohaus Harvard Trip balance is terrific for mixing powders. A small electronic scale for tiny amounts comes in handy. I bet I have a dozen different balances.

Randy Stewart · 2025-12-18T20:45:50-0500

I assume your purpose is to weigh out bulk chemicals to prepare processing formulas. I've done this for more than 40 years, using a traditional Ohaus Triple-Beam Balance scale. This scale resolves to 0.1 gram, and is completely adequate for any photo formula. Modern digital technology gives us small platform scales for around $20, which resolve the same and work bout as well. They are cheaper and easier to use. Available on-line or in any office supply store (postal scale). No photo process requires more precision or expense.

RalphLambrecht · 2025-12-18T20:46:35-0500

stevenje said:
I am looking to buy a gram scale for the darkroom. Any recommendations on which one to buy?
Thanks in advance.

I use one with a maximum capacity of 300g and a read-out resolution of 0.01 g. Unfortunately, it is just labeled as 'Digital Scale.' it was inexpensive and works great. 300 g is about the maximum quantity you need in a small darkroom. I bought another with a max of10g and a resolution of 0.001 g, which I need for a few chemicals, of which one only needs trace amounts. Both are available from Amazon.

gbroadbridge · 2025-12-18T21:08:20-0500

Remember. Resolution is not the same as accuracy.

There are many cheap digital scales out there that display to 0.01g but whose accuracy is around +/- 0.1 gram

mshchem · 2025-12-18T21:14:35-0500

Remember, make it as complicated as possible!

drew tanner · 2025-12-18T21:20:16-0500

A $15 Cen-tech pocket scale from Harbor Freight has worked fine for me for several years. Accurate to 0.1g, which is close enough for anything I’m mixing in the darkroom.

RalphLambrecht · 2025-12-18T21:53:09-0500

mshchem said:
Remember, make it as complicated as possible!

very true

mshchem · 2025-12-18T23:24:49-0500

drew tanner said:
A $15 Cen-tech pocket scale from Harbor Freight has worked fine for me for several years. Accurate to 0.1g, which is close enough for anything I’m mixing in the darkroom.

I have something similar I bought at a coin shop. I use it to check US 1 cent coins. Copper weighs more than the plated zinc. It would be great for weighing small amounts. I have a 40 year Sartorius top loading digital scale, made in Germany (that's old) very nice. Doesn't hurt to have a couple check weights around.

bdial · 2025-12-18T23:31:07-0500

I use this 500 gram scale daily for prepping coffee, https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/items/pico-high-precision-scale.
It’s 8 or so years old, needs batteries once a year. I test it occasionally with a balance weight, it’s always right on.
It only gets used in. the kitchen though, for the darkroom I have an Ohaus triple beam.

mshchem · 2025-12-18T23:35:46-0500

bdial said:
I use this 500 gram scale daily for prepping coffee, https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/items/pico-high-precision-scale.
It’s 8 or so years old, needs batteries once a year. I test it occasionally with a balance weight, it’s always right on.
It only gets used in. the kitchen though, for the darkroom I have an Ohaus triple beam.

I should consider weighing my beans. I used too generous volume measures the other morning and I was bouncing off the walls.

koraks · 2025-12-19T02:43:13-0500

stevenje said:
Any recommendations on which one to buy?

The best one $20 can buy you on Amazon/AliExpress etc.
It really doesn't matter; all these low-end 'jewelry' scales from China are perfectly fine for darkroom use.

Purchasing a Gram Scale

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