darkroom timers for developing film

[aizan]

i've been using the massive devchart app on my iphone to time film development, but it's always been a little annoying to make sure it doesn't get wet and that i can't just mount it to the wall. i have a gralab in my darkroom, but i should get another one for the kitchen where i develop film.

what's your favorite darkroom timer? does anyone have a paterson or adox timer?

 

[michaelwj]

A small ziplock bag stops it getting wet, and the touchscreen still works through it. No need for more equipment.

 

[Scrambler]

I have an old waterproof android with suitable apps. I only use it as a timer, never as a phone.

 

[johnf04]

I use one of these - it was sold under many brand names. Mine's Jessops.

https://www.atp-instrumentation.co.uk/count-up-count-down-bench-timer.html

 

[ChrisPlatt]

What could be better - and more classic - than the iconic Gralab 300?

It's reliable, simple to use, and easy to see from across the room.

Chris

 

[nikon_sam]

We used the Gralab 300 in high school and I have one now but haven't used it for developing film...
I use the Paterson Triple Timer for film and print developing...battery operated so I can take it anywhere without the need or bother of a power cord...if you happen not to be around when the buzzer goes off the timer will start to count Up therefore you know how long you went over...

 

[rfaspen]

OMG! I use this exact same timer! Its not labeled Paterson though. Mine is clean blank black. The remainder of markings, buttons, etc. are the *exact* same timer.
I like it. Has been my film dev timer for some years now. Can[t remember where I got it, but I suspect from one of my genetics/molecular labs.

We used the Gralab 300 in high school and I have one now but haven't used it for developing film...
I use the Paterson Triple Timer for film and print developing...battery operated so I can take it anywhere without the need or bother of a power cord...if you happen not to be around when the buzzer goes off the timer will start to count Up therefore you know how long you went over...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I bought a Paterson Triple Timer. Though it was brand new and
never used buttons were wonky. Back to the old reliable Gralab!

Chris

 

[plummerl]

I just use kitchen triple timers, usually a cheaper alternative to "darkroom" timers.

https://www.amazon.com/Samshow-Channels-Simultaneous-Countdown-Stopwatch/dp/B06W2KCYVN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8

 

[oftheherd]

When I learned, we used a small timer for exposing paper and a Graylab for film development. Now I have a Chromegatrol for my Omega D6, but I still have a Graylab for film.

 

[x-ray]

The Gralab 300 is hard to beat. I have one I've used close to fifty years and recently picked up a new one in an antique store for $35. My old one works as good as new but I've done collodion plates with it and gotten silver nitrate on part of the face and some of the numbers are hard to read now due to stain. But, it still works.

I find analog dials are easier to read than digital readouts at a glance.

Some things just simply work and can't be improved on.

 

[sepiareverb]

The Gralab 300 is hard to beat.

Ain't it the truth. I have two, one at either end of the darkroom sink. I "upgraded" to the plastic models, after having rust from one of the old ones contaminate some paper (spots from iron in the toning) some ten years ago. They will outlast me.

 

[aizan]

I just use kitchen triple timers, usually a cheaper alternative to "darkroom" timers.

https://www.amazon.com/Samshow-Channels-Simultaneous-Countdown-Stopwatch/dp/B06W2KCYVN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8

good idea to use a kitchen triple timer. i'm going to be using it in the kitchen anyway! 😀

as much as i love the gralab, it's too big to leave in the kitchen, and i don't want to be moving it around constantly.

 

[Canyongazer]

The Gralab is dedicated, classic and built for the task.
Probably available on the Bay for about the same as a new kitchen timer.

best choice...unless you already OWN a cherished kitchen timer with which you have bonded over the years...

 

[Bill Clark]

If you have a micro-wave oven in your kitchen perhaps it has a way to use it as a timer.

Mine has a button featuring a "kitchen timer" where I can set it and it will count down without the oven running.

You can also type "timer" in google search and a timer comes up.

My iPad has a timer as well.

 

[Godfrey]

I have a Gralab 300 and use it about 50-50 with an iPad/iPhone/Apple Watch timer.

G

 

[sepiareverb]

I like the Gralab because I can quickly add 3 minutes once the film is in the fix. No fiddly buttons. And I really find the interface of changing time on the iPhone a slow PITA. That scrolly interface is quite annoying. A simple movement of the minute hand on the Gralab, that takes two seconds, and I'm agitating.

Siri does make starting a timer easier, this latest phone I can just say "Hey Siri, start a timer for three minutes" if the music isn't too loud. I time my washes of film and prints with the phone. i start the timer, wash my hands and make a cup of coffee and don't forget the stuff in the wash.

 

[roscoetuff]

I started out with a digital kitchen timer some months back. Works fine. However... if you wear gloves during development - which I do - wet gloved fingers and digital timer buttons on an LCD screen or whatever ...simply don't work all that well. So I boughta Gralab timer off eBay for about $35... (about the same cost as the digital cooking time) and I'll say that this works much better.

 

[aizan]

i do wear nitrile gloves for color. why would they interfere with using the buttons on a digital timer? they have plenty of grip even when wet, and they're skin tight...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Inexpensive electronic timers typically don't have very responsive buttons.
Because of this operation may be unpredictable and frustrating.
That's exactly why I returned the Paterson Triple Timer.

Chris