Repurposing Gear...

nikon_sam · Jul 23, 2015

As most folks have heard, out here in California, we are in a drought...so to do my part I'm limiting my showers to 6 minutes...I've tried using the timer on my phone but I can't see how much time I have left once I'm in the shower...
So I had this great idea to use my GraLab timer since I really haven't used it for any other reason since getting it...(garage sale find)...
It works perfectly as I can see how much time I have left and if I want there's a buzzer too...I don't use the buzzer...
What do you have gear-wise that's currently being used for reasons than that for which it was intended...???

f16sunshine · Jul 23, 2015

Excellent ide Sam! Kudos 🙂

dave lackey · Jul 23, 2015

Good idea, Sam. I need that everytime I show up at our doctor's office!

I use my shoulder bag as a "murse", part medical bag, part purse, part camera bag and it makes life so much simpler. Carry only what I need and nothing more.

B-9 · Jul 23, 2015

My Projector is being used as a storage platform for model plane boxes...

Oh and my Enlarger has made an excellent coat rack as of late!

Godfrey · Jul 23, 2015

Hmm. The clock drive motor in my GraLab (which I was given used in 1969...) corroded away somewhere around 1994. I replaced it with a newer model #300 which still does service processing film and whenever I need a timer with a sweep second hand.

That said, I've used it in the kitchen for food preparation as much as in the darkroom (which are physically the same room now...).

G

nikon_sam · Jul 23, 2015

I also use an old Vivitar 50mm 1.7 lens as a loupe for inspecting negs when printing...

Roger Hicks · Jul 23, 2015

Next Wednesday I shall be reading the eulogy at my father's funeral in Scotland, so I used one of my timers to check the duration (the minister specified 6-8 minutes). But I have several functioning timers. One lives in the darkroom full time; others see more use in the kitchen. And yes, I also use 50mm lenses (again, I have several) as magnifiers. My best magnifier for quickly checking transparencies, though, is arguably a 6x "chimney" finder from a Nikon F2. I've never owned an F2...

R.

Ljós · Jul 23, 2015

nikon_sam said:
As most folks have heard, out here in California, we are in a drought...so to do my part I'm limiting my showers to 6 minutes...I've tried using the timer on my phone but I can't see how much time I have left once I'm in the shower...
So I had this great idea to use my GraLab timer since I really haven't used it for any other reason since getting it...(garage sale find)...
It works perfectly as I can see how much time I have left and if I want there's a buzzer too...I don't use the buzzer...
What do you have gear-wise that's currently being used for reasons than that for which it was intended...???

Excellent! Now do tell us, with this shower development of yours ;-): how many inversions a minute?

btgc · Jul 23, 2015

I'm sorry for you and California residents for need to use Ilford washing technique in a shower.

Once we ran out of water outdoors and had to spare water we poured off macaroni to prepare porridge next morning. Some people say it tasted very strange. Nothing compared to prolonged periods of water shortage.

randolph45 · Jul 23, 2015

no re purposes here however Navy shower in use

no re purposes here however Navy shower in use

nikon_sam said:
As most folks have heard, out here in California, we are in a drought...so to do my part I'm limiting my showers to 6 minutes...I've tried using the timer on my phone but I can't see how much time I have left once I'm in the shower...
So I had this great idea to use my GraLab timer since I really haven't used it for any other reason since getting it...(garage sale find)...
It works perfectly as I can see how much time I have left and if I want there's a buzzer too...I don't use the buzzer...
What do you have gear-wise that's currently being used for reasons than that for which it was intended...???

Instead of timer I just wet down , turn off the water ,soap up and then rinse off all under 5 minutes. No timer necessary🙂

nikon_sam · Jul 23, 2015

Randolph...
Pretty sure that's what my dad does...he calls it a G.I. shower...

oftheherd · Jul 23, 2015

My condolences Mr. Hicks. So sorry to hear of your loss.

As to the OP's question, Although I have a 6 and 10 power loupe, it seems I often grab a Wollensal 162mm(?) enlarging raptar for a loupe.

oftheherd · Jul 23, 2015

Regarding water shortages; you wouldn't think so, or at least I wouldn't have, but when I was on Okinawa in 63-64, we had a water shortage. First we were just told to conserve water. Then they turned the water off until 5:00 pm. They ran salt water to each latrine by hoses, so we could shave and flush toilets and urinals. The military actually had a salt water soap. Who knew. Next they turned off the water altogether and we had to go to the on-post field house and NCO's were detailed to ensure we got wet, turned the water off, lathered up, and rinsed off. with the least water possible. In three minutes. You could take longer to dry, so nice of the Army.

When they stopped running the water in the billets until between 5:00 pm and 12:00pm, of course we couldn't drink the water. Each company had what we called a water buffalo, which was a small water trailer, with 3 or 4 faucets on each side. You could fill you canteen and take it back in the billets. We drank a lot of cokes. The steam baths in the towns hired extra ladies for Turkish baths, baths, and massages.

In the field we might get to bath in a stream if we had some down time. I once worked on a rifle range and we found a stone fountain or fish tank in an abandoned village. Helmets to the rescue. We filled them and washed, then dipped out fresh (?) water to rinse off. When you are hot, sweaty, and tired, it actually feels good.

But I feel sorry for California residents (or anyone else) to go through that.

pyeh · Jul 23, 2015

Six minutes? When we had a long drought here a few years ago, complete with water rationing, the water board gave out 2-minute hour glass timers with a sucker attached, to stick in your shower. For us blokes it was a long enough time, but my daughters found it a struggle.

Roger, I'm sorry to hear about your father.

farlymac · Jul 24, 2015

My condolences to you and your family, Roger.

FP

Keith · Jul 24, 2015

If you believe what you read around here occasionally ... all digital cameras have a future as door stops or paper weights. 😀

f16sunshine · Jul 24, 2015

Keith said:
If you believe what you read around here occasionally ... all digital cameras have a future as door stops or paper weights. 😀

Don't forget toddlers toys.
Maybe I should be collecting them, I've given up 3 of my early digital Nikons to toy boxes.
Remember the Nikon SQ?
I bought one to live on the tour boat years ago.
It was much more popular with the kids years later 🙂

(Not my kids btw.... )

CMur12 · Jul 24, 2015

Roger, I, too, offer my condolences on the passing of your father.

- Murray

Sparrow · Jul 24, 2015

... novelty desk-light? ... now there's a gap in the market

willie_901 · Jul 25, 2015

I use Siri.

"Siri, set the time for 6 minutes"

Repurposing Gear...

Shooter of Film...

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The best camera is one that still works!

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