Where do you keep your Gralab timer?

jay moussy · Jan 12, 2022

I just got an older version Gralab 300 from a forum member.
I had to poke inside to fix a minor issue, interesting little beast!

- where do you keep yours, in relation to enlarger, and overall surroundings?
- is fluorescence an issue when room is in "dark" mode, i.e., handling undeveloped film?

Bill Burk · Jan 12, 2022

Fluorescence is a possible issue (not really but why take chances) so I keep it away from film when loading or developing. It’s on the fixer side of the sink. That’s good enough. It used to sit on a ledge at the same level as the enlarger timer but I got tired of having to push trays in the drying rack to see the dial so I mounted it high enough to be seen.

Sirius Glass · Jan 12, 2022

I use my Gralab timer next to the Jobo processor. I have a digital timer that is part of the enlarger power supply control.

faberryman · Jan 12, 2022

It is either above the sink or next to my UV exposure unit.

Cholentpot · Jan 12, 2022

It's in a cardboard box on the floor until I find the space for a darkroom.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 12, 2022

jay moussy said:
I just got an older version Gralab 300 from a forum member.
I had to poke inside to fix a minor issue, interesting little beast!

- where do you keep yours, in relation to enlarger, and overall surroundings?
- is fluorescence an issue when room is in "dark" mode, i.e., handling undeveloped film?

i my experience,the fluorescence from the timer is too weak to be an exposure issue for film or paper.Stil, it's about 3 feet away from all light-sensitive materials.

bdial · Jan 12, 2022

No dark room is complete without a Gralab.
My Gralab is above my print processing counter and is used for print process timing. I have a similar Time O Lite next to the sink where I process film. As mentioned, the fluorescence doesn't seem to be a problem, but I make it a point to keep open film well away from them.
My particular Gralab has a black on white face which is much easier to see in the gloom of the safelights, I found it in an antique shop.

gordrob · Jan 12, 2022

My pair of GraLab 300s sit on a shelf 24" above the work area at the fixer end of the sink. Not anywhere close to where I load or process film just to make sure the fluorescence isn't a problem. Great unit - should last you for years

Sirius Glass · Jan 12, 2022

RalphLambrecht said:
i my experience,the fluorescence from the timer is too weak to be an exposure issue for film or paper.Stil, it's about 3 feet away from all light-sensitive materials.

In the past when I had a GraLab timer next to the enlarger I never had a problem with black & white paper. I cannot say what would happen with color paper.

DREW WILEY · Jan 12, 2022

I keep that kind of Gralab, with the old Mickey Mouse Watch illuminated hands, in storage for emergency use only. But any kind of illuminated instrumentation, whether red LED readout or just luminous paint like the old classic version Gralab, WILL fog film under certain circumstances, even from an "officially safe" distance. The only place a device like that belongs is on a shelf fully BELOW the sink, where the film or paper in a tray simply can't "see it". I sure learned that the hard way! Same with location relative to an enlarger, though paper tends to be a lot less sensitive than film. But I often expose film with a color enlarger and not just paper (making color internegatives, for example). So precautions get rewarded, presumptions don't.

esearing · Jan 16, 2022

Mounted to the wall over the darkroom sink about 2 feet from the enlarger. I cover it with a dark towel when loading film.

Kino · Jan 16, 2022

Just above the sink, on the right hand side, opposite the enlarger.

I use a Gralab digital time for my enlarger, the analog ones (have a spare under the bench) for everything else

I don't worry about it fogging film, as I load it on the extended enlarger table opposite the sink.

I might hang a black cloth on it when I get to color, but no problems with b&w.

laser · Jan 16, 2022

I keep it next to my processing sink. It doubles as a timed power source for my rechargeable battery for my electric drill.

jay moussy · Jan 16, 2022

All kinds if useful suggestions!

My room is like so:

Enlarger at top, trays, sink at right, work table for film manipulation at bottom

Not sure where I should put my timer, even with a black cloth when not in use.

glbeas · Jan 16, 2022

I have mine on a wire shelf about 30” above the sink over the developer tray. It gets used when I push the trays aside for film development as well as checking my print time in trays. Got another for the uv exposure unit and a white one in the kitchen because the timer buzzer is loud enough to be heard in the next room unlike every other timer in the kitchen.

ruilourosa · Jan 16, 2022

Its mainly an us thing... I use some junghans timers for processing and a Kaiser, a lpl with footswitch and an italian iff for the enlargers...
I have a gralab but gets no use.

Where do you keep your Gralab timer?

Advertiser

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency