Mark J
Member
My Gralab 300 lives in the kitchen. My married daughters have gotten Gralab 300s for their kitchens. Best all around timer. 46 years old and running better than I am.
webOSUser
Well-known
Massive Development Chart Android application with the phone in a quart plastic bag.
Ronald M
Veteran
Shelf on the wall has Gra Lab with light proof cover and cut corner for off/on switch.
Other side is long skinny electronic that counts up/down, lights turn off, audible signal for 30 sec option off/on. I use for prints and 4x5 film in open tanks, 6 step E6 process.
there is a foot switch which I keep next to developing tray.
Other side is long skinny electronic that counts up/down, lights turn off, audible signal for 30 sec option off/on. I use for prints and 4x5 film in open tanks, 6 step E6 process.
there is a foot switch which I keep next to developing tray.
gns
Well-known
Do the digital timers have an audible signal to tell you when to agitate? If not, they would require too much careful checking of the display, whereas a big analog display is much easier to monitor (in my opinion). Always liked the graylab for that reason, and because it's easy to reset/add time as mentioned above.
wjlapier
Well-known
Gralab in the closet unused since I've been using my iPhone. iPhone 7 now.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
In Canada it is not about favorite, but one you could find and they don't want arm and leg for it...
I think, last time I dropped iPhone into the toilet, I was trying to use it as the timer... Likely it has Otterbox case on it.

I think, last time I dropped iPhone into the toilet, I was trying to use it as the timer... Likely it has Otterbox case on it.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
I had a Gralab in my darkroom for many years when I was printing. I loved it.
But now all I do is develop film, scan, and print digitally. I have been quite satisfied with a $4.95 digital kitchen timer for the last 15 years. Now I did drop one many years ago and had to replace it but that was only another $4.95. I can easily reset it which is no problem since only the developer time is critical. I have no problems watching it to agitate once a minute.
And I can simply put it back on the shelf when I am not using it. I do confess to try to find simpler and cheaper ways that work just as well. But then I am one who spends his money on airline tickets to places to use my existing cameras instead of buying new gear.
But now all I do is develop film, scan, and print digitally. I have been quite satisfied with a $4.95 digital kitchen timer for the last 15 years. Now I did drop one many years ago and had to replace it but that was only another $4.95. I can easily reset it which is no problem since only the developer time is critical. I have no problems watching it to agitate once a minute.
And I can simply put it back on the shelf when I am not using it. I do confess to try to find simpler and cheaper ways that work just as well. But then I am one who spends his money on airline tickets to places to use my existing cameras instead of buying new gear.
Steve M.
Veteran
A Time O Lite like the one below can be picked up for $10 plus shipping on eBay pretty much anytime. They do everything I need one to do. Has an illuminated dial, turns the enlarger and the safelight on and off, all that. I don't use a timer anymore though. Bought a cheapo metronome, then did away w/ it as well and just count the seconds down myself. Nothing I print is that hypercritical, and I am very good at counting.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Time-O-Lite...l-No-GR-72-w-Automatic-Reset-Box-/25320515828
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Time-O-Lite...l-No-GR-72-w-Automatic-Reset-Box-/25320515828
Ronald M
Veteran
See post 23. Gralab older model has audible signals and you can kill display lights
wjlapier
Well-known
With C41 I'm not too far from my iPhone 7. Gotta watch the timer for agitation time. I try to wash my containers between agitation at :40 and :10. 3.5 for dev and 6.5 for Blix. 3 minute rinse and that's about it.
I used to use the Gralab when I first started with B&W but when I stopped B&W and started color ( c41 ) I found the iPhone does just fine.
Not sure how you could drop the phone in the toilet
My phone/timer is near the sink with dev tank and chems.
I used to use the Gralab when I first started with B&W but when I stopped B&W and started color ( c41 ) I found the iPhone does just fine.
Not sure how you could drop the phone in the toilet
My phone/timer is near the sink with dev tank and chems.
sebastel
coarse art umbrascriptor
i use a joby grip tight stand to hang my mobile at the mirror. don't spread the legs, but use them as a hook that goes behind the upper border of the mirror.
maybe not comfortable (it hangs rather high), but safe from splashes.
maybe not comfortable (it hangs rather high), but safe from splashes.
Bill Kapinski
Established
Another vote for the Gralab 300. When I used to run the darkroom at work (now long gone) we had 3 of them linked together. Developer, stop, and fixer each had their own. When one was done the next would start. If I remember correctly we plugged the 2nd and 3rd into the safelight outlet on the previous timer. Worked great.
Skiff
Well-known
I am using both the Paterson Triple Timer (mostly for paper developing) and the ADOX Lab Timer (mostly for BW and color film processing).
https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/adox-lab-timer-with-glowing-analog-pointers-large.html
Both are very good, and I can highly recommed both.
https://www.fotoimpex.com/darkroom/adox-lab-timer-with-glowing-analog-pointers-large.html
Both are very good, and I can highly recommed both.
Pentode
Well-known
I “loaned” my Gralab 300 to my brother in law almost 20 years ago because I wasn’t developing at home anymore. When I started up again about a year ago I decided he had more claim to it than I did and didn’t ask for it back.
My plan was to use the Develop! app on my iPhone until another used Gralab turned up, but I’ve been pretty happy just using the phone. I’m just really careful not to get it wet.
My plan was to use the Develop! app on my iPhone until another used Gralab turned up, but I’ve been pretty happy just using the phone. I’m just really careful not to get it wet.
Dogman
Veteran
For all of the home darkrooms I've had over the years, I've used either a digital kitchen timer or a wristwatch with a seconds hand. You don't need anything elaborate to time film developing steps.
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