The new Darkroom Automation F-Stop Timer

[Chuck_P]

Is anyone using one, I'm interested in your thoughts about it......thanks.

 

[aparat]

Is anyone using one, I'm interested in your thoughts about it......thanks.

I have been a huge fan. Not just the timer, but the method, too. It's a minimalist tool that can give you superb results, based on sound principles. I would start by reading the PDFs on their website. They contain everything one needs to know from the technical standpoint.

 

[MattKing]

And as @Nicholas Lindan - the person behind Darkroom Automation - is a regular participant here, you can reach out to him as well.

 

[brian steinberger]

I’ve had mine for about 12 years and absolutely love it.

 

[Chuck_P]

I've been reading up on f-stop printing and the more I learn about it the more I like it....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use the method, not the timer. It speeds up getting the final print much sooner for me. Some people do not like it.

 

[Bob AZ]

I love mine, highly recommend

 

[Chuck_P]

I love mine, highly recommend

It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. I have printed out the manual and have been reading up on it.

 

[Chuck_P]

Just reporting back on this timer since I've generated a print using it. However, prior to actually using it to print, I had plenty of time to go through the learning curve......and there is one, at least for me there was, especially with the memory capability it has.......with it before I even had paper to expose. I learned the menu system and carried out multiple simulation exercises as if I were actually printing. I did not want to be tempted to face the learning curve with paper in the easel.......I could visualize nothing but waste. So I ran simulation after simulation.

I have to say that I positively love this timer and am so pleased that I changed over to f-stop timing. At 59 I am an older dog but I did not mind learning that new trick. I believe it will help me to become a better printer going forward.

 

[Jimskelton]

I don't have the darkroom automation timer, but I did build a FADU f/stop timer. I was skeptical at first because I cut my teeth on a GraLab with 5 second intervals, never really thinking that though the time intervals for test strips were linear, the result on paper did not represent linear exposure jumps. After using FADU for a bit, I'm not sure I could go back to a manual linear timer.

I just followed the instructions at https://github.com/filmanddarkroom/FADU_Timer , ordered the parts and stuck them into an outlet housing. The two outlets power the safelight and enlarger. I'm using an old Samsung S5 for the FADU app, after testing it with a 5 minute exposure to paper to be sure it has an OLED display and doesn't fog the paper.

Total cost: around $15, not including the old phone.