What to look for in a densitometer?

Removed Account · Oct 21, 2007

I am looking at getting a densitometer for my black and white work. I have come across a Macbeth TR 954 for about $100. It seems to be working, but the seller does not know beyond all the lights, lcd etc... work. It also does not have a calibration strip or the correct manual. Is this a good price for the densitometer, and what else would I need for it? How would I make sure that it is accurate? Also, any tips on a good introduction to sensitometry, either online or in print, would be appreciated.

As always, thanks for the help!

- Justin

Nick Zentena · Oct 21, 2007

Have you checked the Macbeth website they might have a manual for it. I think the 954 might not be too old.

Just normal B&W? Or stained? Any colour work?

I think any transmission B&W densitomer will work for normal B&W. The other stuff tends to need a colour model.

They normally drift a little. Thats why they have a calibration mode. The step wedge people make three grades of step wedges. I use the middle one to calibrate my much older MacBeth.

craigclu · Oct 21, 2007

Here's a guide for 900 series gear but that specific model isn't listed. It may help with some basic info, though. I use a Stouffer wedge that is made for calibrating.....

http://www.stouffer.net/Stoufferhome1.htm

Neanderman · Oct 21, 2007

cafeharrar said:
I have come across a Macbeth TR 954 for about $100. It seems to be working, but the seller does not know beyond all the lights, lcd etc... work. It also does not have a calibration strip or the correct manual.

Go for it. It is an excellent price for an excellent unit. As stated, the manual is available on line and you can get a Stauffer transmission tablet for (I think...) less than $10, which can be calibrated for you by some kind APUG'er.

craigclu · Oct 21, 2007

It's not very obvious from their site but the Stouffer #T5100 (2" X 4") comes with calibration values individually checked and seems ideal for calibrating. A phone call to them some years back got me good advice that wasn't easily discerned from their internet site.

Nick Zentena · Oct 21, 2007

Cafe one thing check how much Stouffer wants for shipping to Canada. When I got mine it was painful. Better to order from one of the retailers rather then direct.

Removed Account · Oct 21, 2007

Nick Zentena said:
Just normal B&W? Or stained? Any colour work?

I think any transmission B&W densitomer will work for normal B&W. The other stuff tends to need a colour model.

It'll probably be a while before I have a proper darkroom to do colour work in, so B&W only for a while. Would stained negatives need a colour densitometer? I haven't use them as of yet but I do plan on doing some work with Pyro and possibly caffenol in the future, pyro especially as I get in to alt processes.

Thanks for the advice everyone, if the shipping for the unit turns out to be reasonable I think I'm gonna go for it.

- Justin

Curt · Oct 21, 2007

I have the older TD501 and for BW work it's fine, I wish I had an owners manual for it but it's pretty intuitive. I have a calibrated stouffer guide.

Curt

epatsellis · Oct 21, 2007

I have an older GAM 4 color densitometer, one thing I will suggest is to verify the availablity of the light source, as teh one used in mine in only available as NOS, and not cheap. I've replaced it with a high output LED, but for those that aren't electronics literate, it'd be an expensive proposition to replace a 100 hour bulb at ~$45 each.

erie

dancqu · Oct 21, 2007

cafeharrar said:
Thanks for the advice everyone, if the shipping
for the unit turns out to be reasonable I think
I'm gonna go for it. - Justin

Hold on to that cash! You can have a brand new
darkroom densitometer for under $100. Darkroom
Automation, one of Apug's sponsors, has an ideal
for darkroom work projection densitometer.

Although I've a splendid Tobias transmission
densitometer with ALL the extras I'm very tempted
to buy their Precision Enlarging Meter. It's an enlarging
meter, a densitometer, and more, and will coordinate
with the F-Stop timer if added. Choose Sponsors
Forum from Apug's Home page and read
all about it. Dan

dancqu · Oct 22, 2007

One more boost for Darkroom Automation's under $100
combination enlarging meter projection densitometer. The
meter which is moved about upon the base board or easel
has a very small sensor. As used it is very good for pin-
pointing and measurements of very small areas. A feat
not so easy with over-arm densitometers. Dan

What to look for in a densitometer?

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