RH Designs StopClock

[Nick Stanislo]

I know this has probably been asked before. What experiences have people had with the StopClock by RH Designs? I did find a thread about how to factor in dry down, but couldn't find anything about what people who use the timer think about it. Thanks.

 

[David Brown]

Hi Nick!

Go to "Advanced Forum Search" and search (all forums) on simply "stopclock". I came up with 62 threads.

FWIW, I really like mine, and I think you'll find the consensus is pretty positive. Not cheap, but an excellent piece of equipment.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Nick

Dry-down is about a 1/12 stop in exposure. So, evaluate the moist print and when satisfied reduce exposure by 1/12 stop and you're there.

 

[Dave Miller]

It's an excellent piece of kit, worth every penny - or cent even.

 

[lee]

excellent piece of equipment I love mine.

lee\c

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I have the StopClock's first cousin, the Analyser Pro, which I also love deeply. Pity the things are so expensive. But they're still worth it. They will make you a more efficient and more skillful printer, because of the information interface they provide.

 

[Blighty]

Go for it Kid! I've had one for some time now and can categorically state that it's my favourite piece of darkroom kit.

 

[pentaxuser]

If you look at the threads, you may conclude as I have done that it's one of the few items on APUG on which there seems to be a total consensus that it's a great piece of kit.

pentaxuser

 

[FrankB]

It comes with a fourteen day money-back guarantee. You won't need it.

Without doubt the best piece of kit in my darkroom and the one that has improved my printing experience the most.

(Sorry to sit on the fence like this...! )

 

[nyx]

I had a dream tonight that I was buying one. I don't understand why...because I already have it (and love it like everyone else).

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I had a dream tonight that I was buying one. I don't understand why...because I already have it (and love it like everyone else).

If you turn up with an extra let me know.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

It's the best timer I have ever owed. It is easy to use and very well made. It comes with comprehensive instructions and will make your life in the dark room much easer. This is the first timer I have had with a foot switch which makes burning in less of a pain. I have my safelight wired in as well.

 

[jeroldharter]

I can't imagine going back to a regular timer. I have a Gralab 9000, gralab 451, Jobo multitronic, Jobo 5000. I don't even think about using them anymore. If you do split contrast printing, you won't want anything else.

 

[Saganich]

I purchased a stopclock vario for I have a V54 head on an old Bes and the improvement to my printing was immediate. I also picked up an analyzer pro and went through the calibration process for ilford MG. Currently I can make a perfect working print with a single piece of paper which saves me time and cash for big prints. The calibration process is time consuming. These things pay for themselves.

 

[michael9793]

what ever Lee said, He told me to buy it and that was the best advise I had been given in a long time. Now to get that fogging tool. what ever the name is for preexposure.

 

[lee]

Michael,

it is called a Paper Flasher

http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/darkroom/html/paperflasher.html

nice piece of equipment.

lee\c

 

[Roger Hicks]

It's one of those things where yes, it costs the money, but you have to shrug and say, 'That's what quality costs'. It's like using Ilford film or a Gandolfi camera or whatever.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[tbm]

It's the best timer I have ever used. Yes, it is the Cadillac of timers! With my Saunders Dichroic enlarger and Ilford's multigrade papers, I successfully established dry-down factors of -1 for RC paper and -8 for fiber paper which are astonishly easy to set on the timer!

 

[Simon E]

it is the Cadillac of timers!

Nah, it's made in England so must be the Rolls-Royce of timers

 

[Glenn Mathison]

A broken record?

I had the chance to try a friend's one a few months back when he bought one. I loved it even after a single weekend and one darkroom session.

So I searched and found a second hand one that was VERY old and had a fault, so I sent it back with great regret to the dealer involved, hoping that he might decide to fix it and re-offer it for sale.

But he didn't.

So, despite the cost, I bought a brand new Analyser-pro a couple of weeks ago and the ease and consistency it has bought to my printing has totally erased the cost from my mind.

Get one, new or old, and quickly, and then you too will say "I LOVE IT" ...

Glenn

 

[Jerevan]

Okay, I'll risk sounding like the Hallelujah Gospel Choir, but even after only a few runs, for me it's worth every penny.

Given that the price difference between my Stopclock and the closest competition including shipping, amounted to the price of a 100 sheet pack of 8x10 Ilford paper, I'll wager I will make up for that difference in no time, just with the help of the effortless test strip function... And that's only the start.

 

[Nancy]

I posted in the "Wanted" section of the Classifieds that I was looking for a used enlarging timer, but the more I read about the Stopclock Pro, the more I'm inclined to think that I would be more satisfied holding off for another month, saving my pennies and going for a new timer from RH Designs.
I'm frustrated with trying to teach myself to be a better printer and having equipment problems. Actually, the only real problem at the moment, besides my own lack of experience, is my timer. I've just discovered the joy of split-grade printing and am already seeing an improvement in some of my prints.
I have a feeling that no one here would disagree.

 

[SuzanneR]

Nancy... I have managed to get good results split grade printing with that beastie I offered you... the "time-o-lite"!!

I'm hoping things will improve even more with the RH designs timer I bought this summer. It may well be a good idea to pinch a few pennies, but my time-o-lite is still available!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I posted in the "Wanted" section of the Classifieds that I was looking for a used enlarging timer, but the more I read about the Stopclock Pro, the more I'm inclined to think that I would be more satisfied holding off for another month, saving my pennies and going for a new timer from RH Designs.
I'm frustrated with trying to teach myself to be a better printer and having equipment problems. Actually, the only real problem at the moment, besides my own lack of experience, is my timer. I've just discovered the joy of split-grade printing and am already seeing an improvement in some of my prints.
I have a feeling that no one here would disagree.

Dear Nancy,

Save the pennies and do it!

Cheers,

R. (www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[coriana6jp]

After reading this thread for a few weeks, I finally ordered one a few days ago. Eagerly waiting by the door to mug the mailman when he shows up. After reading everybody's comments, I had to get one.

Gary