RH Designs' StopClock and ZoneMaster II

I am getting ready to start using RH Designs' StopClock in combination with their ZoneMaster II. I have not used either (alone or in combination) before. Would appreciate insight/advice from those of you who have been using this type of equipment for a while.

Your opinion of the equipment? Durability?
Any tips you may be able to offer.

Thanks in advance for your kind help.

Note: 99.9% of my work is B&W. I us a Chromega F head attached to a Fotar chassis. I use the head's dichroic filters to alter contrast.

The combo of the Stopclock with the Zonemaster-II is pretty slick once you use it enough to get into a rhythm...

Most will suggest and I would agree to fully calibrate your enlarger and papers to the setup via the included step wedge, but I have found that the presets shown on the back of the guide get me in the ballpark. I only use three papers for the most part and one of them is the default setting of Ilford MGIV RC.

I still run test strips to check on things like focus, Newton rings, local and overall contrast but far, far fewer than I did before using the Zonemaster-II.

Most RH Designs stuff is like a really great bicycle, the more you ride it, the better it performs.

Stopclock Pro and ZMII is my set-up also. The ZM is fantastic for getting you very close to the right print first time. The Stopclock Pro is my favourite bit of kit and absolutely essential to my way of working. The two seperate channels make split-grade printing a whole lot easier. One bit of advice - get a footswitch for the Stopclock though.

JackRosa said:

I am getting ready to start using RH Designs' StopClock in combination with their ZoneMaster II. I have not used either (alone or in combination) before. Would appreciate insight/advice from those of you who have been using this type of equipment for a while.

Your opinion of the equipment? Durability?
Any tips you may be able to offer.

Thanks in advance for your kind help.

Note: 99.9% of my work is B&W. I us a Chromega F head attached to a Fotar chassis. I use the head's dichroic filters to alter contrast.

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I've been using the ZoneMasterII for over 10 years nowand cannot praise it enough.I still fine-tune exposure and contrast with test strip,as everyone concerned with optimum print quality should, but I know no fster way to get to a good work print.excellent darkroom equipment for any one working an amateur or professional dark room;highly recommended;go for it without hesitation;f/stop timing rules

Thank You for the Inssight

Thank you fellows for taking the time to share your insights on this equipment with me.