What stop watch are you using?

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,356
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
I use inexpensive adjustable timers I found on the internet.
 

freecitizen

Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2014
Messages
84
Format
Large Format
I have an ancient device called a " tape recorder ".

I made a recording of myself as a speaking stopwatch. I use it for anytime I need to process in total darkness ..... Sheet film/trays, etc

Works a treat !
 

Philippe-Georges

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
2,672
Location
Flanders Fields
Format
Medium Format
For processing: a 'normal' mechanical stop clock.
For the enlarger: an electronic IFF ST2000 timer.
For shooting exposures shorter than 5 sec I count (21-22-23-24-25), longer than that: see attachment.




It's a 30 seconds chronometer as this is more easier and precisely to reed, it is around 50 years old and I bought it used 30 years ago.
 
Last edited:

JPD

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
2,155
Location
Sweden
Format
Medium Format
I count the seconds in my head, but I also used my pocket watch until it was stolen from the darkroom by a nephew.
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,846
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
One more option might be a Kodak elapsed time clock type mechanism, with it's simple on/off switch, to show you how much time is passing as you work, by additive movement, not by way of a subtractive countdown.

You can also use both a countdown timer as usual and time the period in total to figure out the time it actually takes to develope a roll, sheets or paper prints helping you avoid overly long sessions you don't have time for.
 

bluechromis

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 11, 2015
Messages
652
Format
35mm
Casio G shock digital watch. Minute timer app from YouTube.
 

Maris

Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
1,570
Location
Noosa, Australia
Format
Multi Format
In the field the sweep second hand on my old mechanical Seiko 7002 does nicely. Or I count "hippopotamuses" instead of "mississippis".
The difficult bit is getting accurate 2, 3, or 4 second exposures using the B setting on a shutter. Longer or shorter is easier.
In the darkroom I use a battery powered "Talking Timer" that generates a vaguely feminine voice that counts down minutes and seconds while I work in absolute darkness.
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,846
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format

Old fashion RR white faced dials on watches with luminous green arrows are easy to read, IMO.
 

warden

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
3,033
Location
Philadelphia
Format
Medium Format
Maris said:
In the field the sweep second hand on my old mechanical Seiko 7002 does nicely.
Click to expand...

My most worn watch for the past few months. I got mine new in probably 1993 or so and it still runs great. The lume has long ago died but who cares, I love it.
 

dpurdy

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
2,673
Location
Portland OR
Format
8x10 Format
ZSD-808. Look it up. Amazon has it. Cheap as a battery, Long neck cord, lasts forever, only rarely swear at it because I forgot which side is stop and which side is go.
 

jk0592

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
107
Location
Canada
Format
Medium Format
RH Designs ProcessMaster for film and paper development. Gralab 505 for enlarger.
 

maruti660

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 27, 2025
Messages
31
Location
Japan
Format
Large Format
Your article reminded me of the joys of reading the second hand. I also notice that you all have various methods for monitoring long exposures. I started out using my wife's kitchen timer, then my grandfather's pocket watch, but eventually I settled on alternating between staring at the landscape and the second hand on my Casio G-Shock. My method was practical but inelegant!
 

BradS

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
8,120
Location
Soulsbyville, California
Format
35mm
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi...
 

GregY

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
3,324
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format
For film developing & printing Gralab timer. For long exposures..... stopwatch function on phone.
 

lecarp

Subscriber
Joined
May 8, 2009
Messages
325
Format
8x10 Format
one Elephant..two Elephants...etc..etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…