Where to keep GraLab timer?

jay moussy · Dec 3, 2022

As I am rearranging my wiring it seems to be a good time to figure a better place to put my ~~Grablab~~ GraLab (formerly @Rick A 's ).
I had it half-way between enlarger and wet side trays, and it seems it would be better to have it closer to enlarger, with it and safety light powered off the same spot.

Suggestions (for this modest darkroom)?

Pieter12 · Dec 3, 2022

Next to the enlarger, ideally on a different surface so there's not any possibility of introducing vibration when pushing the buttons (I assume it's not the wall-mounted, clock-face design). Or on the wall next to the enlarger. You want it near for burning and dodging timings, or just to turn on the enlarger for those.

Alan9940 · Dec 3, 2022

Pieter12 said:
Next to the enlarger, ideally on a different surface so there's not any possibility of introducing vibration when pushing the buttons (I assume it's not the wall-mounted, clock-face design). Or on the wall next to the enlarger. You want it near for burning and dodging timings, or just to turn on the enlarger for those.

Or, next to the enlarger and use a foot switch.

faberryman · Dec 3, 2022

What are you using your Graylab to time - exposure or processing? If exposure, near the enlarger; if processing, near the trays. Sorry if that seems like such an obvious answer.

ic-racer · Dec 3, 2022

Sirius Glass · Dec 3, 2022

Alan9940 said:
Or, next to the enlarger and use a foot switch.

+1

A second time is next to the development trays.

jay moussy · Dec 3, 2022

Exposure.
I have a spare long, shallow shelf that will work great behind he enlarger then, with spare room for tools (good incentive to get to use them!)

In the meantime, and for later, I can find out how to modify wiring the Gralab to accommodate a foot switch.

Printing: I have used a metronome, not sure if this is the right tool, and I have to work at getting better at printing.

Doremus Scudder · Dec 3, 2022

Best to have separate timers for the wet side and for each enlarger.

I use GraLab 450 timers for my enlargers, but set them on 99 seconds (the maximum) and turn on the metronome beep. I use a footswitch and simply count beeps when enlarging. I used to use a regular quartz metronome; the only advantage the timer has for me is the footswitch.

For the wet side, I've got a Zone VI compensating timer with foot switch, but any decent count-up timer would work just fine.

Doremus

wiltw · Dec 3, 2022

Timer with resolution in seconds I would put near the enlarger
Timer wih resolution in minutes I could put near the sink

MattKing · Dec 3, 2022

Which type of Gralab timer?

Rick A · Dec 3, 2022

Isolated away from the enlarger so it doesn't create vibration with big enlargements (8x10 and up), but close enough to operate conveniently. You want to isolate your enlarger from any source of vibration for quality enlargements.

jay moussy · Dec 3, 2022

MattKing said:
Which type of Gralab timer?

I am not sure of the model number. It is the old classic, with the "time" and "focus" switch, on-off, and bell, old-school hardware.

It now sits on its own wall shelf, not far from the enlarged crank height adjust.

MattKing · Dec 3, 2022

jay moussy said:
I am not sure of the model number. It is the old classic, with the "time" and "focus" switch, on-off, and bell, old-school hardware.

It now sits on its own wall shelf, not far from the enlarged crank height adjust.

So one of these - best used for timing processing:

Rather than one of these, designed more for controlling enlarger exposure:

gone · Dec 3, 2022

I was using my old $10 Time-O-Lite next to the enlarger. I doubt it produced much in the way of vibration there. One of the big 'ol Graylabs might be a different story.

Rick A · Dec 4, 2022

jay moussy said:
I am not sure of the model number. It is the old classic, with the "time" and "focus" switch, on-off, and bell, old-school hardware.

It now sits on its own wall shelf, not far from the enlarged crank height adjust.

It's an older model 300. I still have one more that I use to control my UV box. I also have a Time-O-Lite connected to a Beseler 23c enlarger(that is not in use), and digital GraLab timers on my 4x5 enlargers.

NB23 · Dec 4, 2022

At arm’s length.
And you need many.

guangong · Dec 4, 2022

My GraLab sits on a high shelf so that I can look upwards at timer when processing. I like to walk around when using tanks. Luckily, basement has unusually high ceilings.

jay moussy · Dec 4, 2022

A voice-activated timer would be the thing, except for latency issues.

"Fred on for 5.6 secs... NOW!"
(Here, enlarger's name is Fred. Adjust to your own)

Pieter12 · Dec 4, 2022

I use the massive devlopment chart app on my phone for film. Sits on the counter. For enlarging, I used to have a Gralab 450 on a shelf adjacent to the enlarger. I have since moved on to an f-stop timer.

GregY · Dec 4, 2022

My Gralab 300 sits on the wall opposite my sinks & is used for timing film & paper development. My enlargers and contact print light all have separate timers attached.

Sirius Glass · Dec 4, 2022

My Gralab 300 sits on the kitchen counter to time the Jobo CPP2 processor.

DREW WILEY · Dec 5, 2022

On a shelf UNDER the sink. I don't care what anyone says; these things CAN fog film. I've had it happen. If for sake of enlarging, the luminous dial side should be pointed away from the baseboard. Paper isn't as sensitive as film; but sometimes enlargers are used for sake of exposing film itself, like making enlarged duplicate negatives. I haven't used my old-school Gralab in a long long time; but it's in storage just in case I do need it as a temporary replacement to something fancier.

This old device isn't of any use as an actual enlarger timer to me, since all my enlarger heads are high-output. And my favorite developing timer is the Zone VI compensating model.

MattKing · Dec 5, 2022

jay moussy said:
As I am rearranging my wiring it seems to be a good time to figure a better place to put my Grablab

Would you mind if I corrected Grablab to GraLab? Every time I see the thread title .......

jay moussy · Dec 5, 2022

MattKing said:
Would you mind if I corrected Grablab to GraLab? Every time I see the thread title .......

Sure. I should have been more careful!

faberryman · Dec 5, 2022

MattKing said:
Would you mind if I corrected Grablab to GraLab? Every time I see the thread title .......

Grayblab is the Alexa enabled version of the Graylab.

Where to keep GraLab timer?

jay moussy

Pieter12

Alan9940

faberryman

ic-racer

Sirius Glass

jay moussy

Doremus Scudder

wiltw

MattKing

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jay moussy

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gone

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NB23

guangong

jay moussy

Pieter12

GregY

Sirius Glass

DREW WILEY

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jay moussy

faberryman

Where to keep GraLab timer?

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