Strip test easel

gorbas · Dec 9, 2013

I like to have test strip easel handy when I'm printing in darkroom, I'm not using them for every test print. For years I used simple Czehoslowakian Meopta tester.
Yesterday in Seattle I found this amazing strip test easel. Unfortunately there is no any stickers with name of manufacturer on it.
It's beautifully made with out one single piece of plastic. All solid metal. With baked black paint.
Simply load piece of photo paper size 60x130mm or 2 3/8x5", cock mechanism and then every press on red tab and it will move paper and open new strip of paper for the test exposure. Test slots are 11mm wide. It even has stencil numbers for strips from 1 to 5.
Most likely made in '50 or'60. For sure, they do not make stuff like this any more. Did anybody see strip tester like this or similar? Any idea who made it? Must be American?! In the past, they build great, quality stuff like this, to last forever.
Goran

MattKing · Dec 9, 2013

I have a friend who has one of these - we were looking at it on Saturday.

Originally it had a brushed aluminum surface attached on the front with engraved labeling - including the instructions.

I'll see if I can get a shot of it from him.

gorbas · Dec 9, 2013

Thank you Matt! That's make sense! On the top of it there are 2 screws with any apparent function. Most likely that plate was attached on those two screws?

RalphLambrecht · Dec 15, 2013

or make your own

dam;file size too big again. I cannot upload anything worthwhile on APUG. SEND ME AN EMAIL TO RLAMBREC@ymail.com to send it to you.

gorbas · Dec 16, 2013

Thank you Ralph!
You did manage to attach file here.
I do have third one made by Druopta, another small Czehoslowakian photo accessories manufacturer, back in the day.
It's more for suitable split or colour printing.

Goran

MattKing · Dec 16, 2013

Goran:

My friend is going to scan the face of the test strip easel for you and I'll forward it on.

pentaxuser · Dec 16, 2013

I had a friend who had access to a laser which cuts plastic make me one using Ralphs' article and while plastic was a very suitable material, using black and white plastic a wooden one made out of 3-ply would be fine.

It really is a superb test strip printer. Worth making it or having someone with access to precision cutting machinery make it for you

Thanks Ralph

pentaxuser

youngrichard · Dec 16, 2013

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
I too made one to Ralph's design over three years ago - see link. Couldn't live without it.
Richard

youngrichard · Dec 16, 2013

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Try again.
Richard

RalphLambrecht · Dec 16, 2013

are you ready for mass production?

bobwysiwyg · Dec 17, 2013

Sounds like a good Kickstarter project.

gorbas · Dec 17, 2013

Interesting point Bob!? Judging by responses here on APUG Test strip printers are not very hot items. Hard to figure out how many of darkroom users are using it at all?
Personally I will buy one made of some kind of plastic or thin, not one made from particle board of any kind.

pentaxuser · Dec 17, 2013

gorbas said:
Personally I will buy one made of some kind of plastic or thin, not one made from particle board of any kind.

Fine but see my post on Ralph's test strip printer made in thin plastic. It is entirely possible to make it in plastic. It is even possible to modify the measurements so that it can take a 5x8 inch paper and give you 5 sections of 1.6 inches which might reveal more information that 7 one inch strips which depending on the negative can be thinner than is ideal for a full range of tones.

The extra width of 0.6 inches might be useful on occasions.

pentaxuser

gorbas · Dec 17, 2013

Hi Silveror, no concerns regarding particle board as material, just personal preference. Nothing to worry about!

Tom1956 · Dec 18, 2013

This thread gives me pause to ponder what the typical spoilage rate is among the rest of you folks.

Edited: I bust tail to keep mine at 10%. I wonder about the rest of you. At 10% I see every print as something I could have done better, but I know it would be a 50% rate to get it.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 18, 2013

Tom1956 said:
This thread gives me pause to ponder what the typical spoilage rate is among the rest of you folks.

Edited: I bust tail to keep mine at 10%. I wonder about the rest of you. At 10% I see every print as something I could have done better, but I know it would be a 50% rate to get it.

I'm approaching 100%becausesu, I'm just too picky;glad to have a 10%success rate.

Xmas · Dec 19, 2013

Will I'm @ 0% if the neg is difficult.
But after I cal the exp meter on the paper box I can get 100% on good negs.
But the % of good negs is low as well.

MattKing · Dec 23, 2013

My friend, Dennis has sent me digital shots showing the labeling on this when it is complete.

One is the entire front service, while the other shows an enlarged image of the label.

Hope this helps.

gorbas · Dec 23, 2013

Thank you Matt! Quite interesting labels. Never heard of that company.
I was wondering about from where did 60mm wide strips of paper come from?
It did not fit 8x10/4x5" proportions and I confirmed it while cutting paper.
All the best!
Goran

Mainecoonmaniac · Dec 23, 2013

I found one on eBay for $5 made by Patterson. It takes 4x5 paper. Changed the way I print.

MattKing · Dec 23, 2013

gorbas said:
Thank you Matt! Quite interesting labels. Never heard of that company.
I was wondering about from where did 60mm wide strips of paper come from?
It did not fit 8x10/4x5" proportions and I confirmed it while cutting paper.
All the best!
Goran
View attachment 78934

You are welcome, Goran.

I expect that the 60mm width is about 1/3 of a 5x7 sheet of paper. EDIT: And in fact, the instructions refer to 5x7 paper!

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