darkroom timer - Countup countdown

[esearing]

Food for thought

Traditionally darkroom timers count down because they controlled enlargers and safe lights while exposing paper. But when used for processing film or paper after exposure we still use timers that count down.

For processing film or paper would it make more sense for a clockwise rotation? Could a Graylab be reversed?

Example: minimal agitation technique.
Film 2mins initial agitation, then 20 seconds every 8 minutes for 3 cycles + dumptime + 60 seconds of stop + dump + fixer for 4mins = about 32 mins. If I start at 55 and count down I have to figure out my agitate and dump points whereas counting up I can do this more intuitively.

55,45,37,29,DS,27.5,DF,23, out
vs
2,10,18,26.DS,27.5,DF,32, out

Now imagine running two films a couple of minutes apart.

 

[Godfrey]

No way you're going to 'reverse' a Gralab timer unless you are a clockworks engineer.

If you want a 'count up' process control, why not make an audio or video timer with the process laid out in sequence? Just run the program when you start and follow the instructions.

IMO, staggered processing by hand on multiple tanks of film is an invitation to making mistakes. That's a good reason for a film processing machine... 🙂

G

Food for thought

Traditionally darkroom timers count down because they controlled enlargers and safe lights while exposing paper. But when used for processing film or paper after exposure we still use timers that count down.

For processing film or paper would it make more sense for a clockwise rotation? Could a Graylab be reversed?

Example: minimal agitation technique.
Film 2mins initial agitation, then 20 seconds every 8 minutes for 3 cycles + dumptime + 60 seconds of stop + dump + fixer for 4mins = about 32 mins. If I start at 55 and count down I have to figure out my agitate and dump points whereas counting up I can do this more intuitively.

55,45,37,29,DS,27.5,DF,23, out
vs
2,10,18,26.DS,27.5,DF,32, out

Now imagine running two films a couple of minutes apart.

 

[Bill Clark]

As a gift, our children bought me a Radio Shack timer, when they were in business, an electronic timer with a LCD screen that counts up or down.

I see Amazon lists a large number of electronic timers. Maybe check it out.

Mine is similar to this one:


https://www.amazon.com/XREXS-Magnet...rd_wg=KZBqP&psc=1&refRID=3VVPNM21JBMDYVSQVBQQ

 

[Ronald M]

My gralab has an audible option. Great for sheet film in total dark.

 

[sepiareverb]

My gralab has an audible option. Great for sheet film in total dark.

Every Gralab I've ever used has been so insanely loud when the buzzer was on, even at 10% they seem able to peel paint. Mine is permanently on silent mode. One of the ones I replaced had lost the ability to be silent, even at lowest volume it was starting to buzz.

 

[Bill Clark]

I notice with my iPhone I can use the stop watch to go up in time and the timer to go down.

Two ways to show the stop watch.