SOLD
Zone VI Compensating Enlarging Timer along with a Zone VI sensor—a rarely offered because they’re so good we owners keep ‘em. I now have an LED enlarger head with its own controller, so my Zone VI needs a new home.
$195 plus shipping.
“Compensating” refers to the timer’s ability, with the sensor, to compensate for variation in the light output of your lamp from voltage fluctuations (e.g., air-conditioning switching on), giving you print-to-print consistency. You need the sensor for this timer work, and I’m including one, which you’ll need to install in your head. Mine was used on my bought-new Zone VI coldlight head, which came with the sensor installed; I removed the sensor in case I should need it someday, when I replaced the coldlight head with another. (See below regarding the head.) Boy, did it save me paper with my uncertain house voltage! I remember seeing another user who used his with a tungsten bulb, with the sensor a few inches away.
This is a fabulous tool, beautifully designed. Dial in exposure time in increments of 10s of seconds, seconds, and tenths of seconds with three dials. Max time is 99.9 seconds. I use multiple shorter exposures, and the tenths of a second are indispensable.
Additional dials adjust for lamp intensity, one-second beep volume (which can be zero if you prefer), and dry-down percentage. On/off and focus switches complete the controls. Oh, you can calibrate your seconds as well. The dry-down control allows you to get your print highlights exactly where you want them and then simply dial in your tested dry-down percentage, often between 3 and 6 percent.
The timer can be operated by foot pedal, connecting via standard phone cable. I am keeping my footswitch, but am including a new cable. I have seen electric guitar and similar foot pedals for very little. I’m not electronics savvy, so I don’t know how to make the required adaptation, but others will, if you don’t.
The timer is in perfect condition, never having left the dry side of my darkroom—and I’m very careful to water and chems on the wet side.
Regarding the head: My original died, after decades of busy use. I have two others, both Zone VI round coldlight heads, both with sensors: My replacement, bought used, still works, but the lamp was somewhat visibly “flashing” while it was not exposing. I don’t know what causes this; it could just be the tube, which you can get on special order from Aristo, but maybe the head is just getting old; I don’t know. I also have another one, also used, that I bought but which arrived with the lamp having been broken in shipping due to poor packing. If you’re interested in either or both, let me know. I’ll offer a very modest price plus whatever the shipping comes to.