Using light meter in your darkroom

[DGA]

Today, while printing, I tried something different: instead of guessing how much time I need for additional burning, I measured areas of the frames with my Sekonic L-358, in EV mode, and calculated time differences accordingly (with the formula of doubling the amount of light for every additional EV, and vice versa).
I have never heard of such a method nor read about it. Still, it works like a charm.

Does anyone else uses a light meter in his/her darkroom?

 

[martin s]

Well there are those lightmeter for the darkroom, connected to the timer. You can pretty much spot meter off of the projected image, work really well, too.

martin

 

[Roger Hicks]

There's a Gossen attachment specifically for doing this; I have one somewhere. And as Martin pointed out, there are plenty of enlarging exposure meters, either coupled to the timer, or not.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[philipp.leser]

I have the Gossen lab attachment for my Lunasix F. It works, but I very much prefer my RHD Zonemaster to make prints that usually are spot on without even having to make test strips.

Back when I only had the Gossen I'd use it to figure out a general ballpark figure for the exposure time to make test strips around.

Regards,
Philipp

 

[pesphoto]

I recently learned of this darkroom meter......sells for around $30 I think, there is one on ebay now.
Ilford EM-10

 

[DGA]

Thanks,
I'm aware of those darkroom dedicated light meters, but I'm getting along quite well without them.
What I've found in the Sekonic is that it can read measurements for flat surfaces
with the incident dome retracted.
Once I know the correct exposure of the main object I can determine the rest of the frame by simply measuring it.
Before that I had to test each part of the frame and then calculate the exposures.

My question is whether anyone uses the same technique as I do?
(Still, it can be interesting to hear of other darkroom light-measuring techniques).

 

[Fotohuis]

OK other light darkroom meter technique:

I am using the Split Grade system from Heiland. In one measurement exposure time + gradation + sensiometric parameters from the used paper coupled with this measurement.

This is the manual how it works:

http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/Split_Grade_Manual_V23_Englisch.pdf

I do not think there is a disadvantage for this system, maybe only the price.

 

[DGA]

OK other light darkroom meter technique:

I am using the Split Grade system from Heiland. In one measurement exposure time + gradation + sensiometric parameters from the used paper coupled with this measurement.

This is the manual how it works:

http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/Split_Grade_Manual_V23_Englisch.pdf

I do not think there is a disadvantage for this system, maybe only the price.

Wow, High-Tech in the darkroom! This is new to me.
This beast might steal all the fun in printing (or take it another way, I suppose).
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Fotohuis]

It's available for at least 32 different enlarging system. Some filter modules can be exchanged by the Heiland split Grade module or sometimes the head had to be rebuild in Germany for the system.

Recently also a cold light source with LEDs are available. Build in high bright White LEDs and Red LEDs to replace the red filter option automatically.

http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/LED_Coldlight.pdf

Indeed: High tech in the darkroom 🙂

 

[MartinP]

My darkroom metering is based on a contact-sheet in (what used to be) the usual way. I suppose that counts as low-tech, rather than high-tech.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

The Split Grade System from Heiland is the most sophisticated and excellent darkroom exposure meter actually on the market, with many type of papers stored in the meter's memory; and is further on programmable, via computer, at the Heiland website: www.heilandelectronic.de
Unfortunately, is very much expensive and my Meopta Opemus 6 request an inyervent at the factory to mount this system. I think to buy the RH Designs Zone Master II, that store in memory the Ilford MG IV RC, is easy to calibrate with other type of papers due to 8 separate memory channels, without need of test strips, and employ a very unique "LED gray scale tones". Another model is the Analyser Pro, same to the Zone Master II but with plus of RH Designs StopClock Professional Timer. These darkroom meters work with the "F-Stop" printing system.
See on the website www.rhdesigns.co.uk for more info. There are also a very useful comparison table for Analyser Pro, Zone Master II and Heiland Split Grade System.
Another darkroom meter that work on the grounds of the "F-Stop" printing is the "Enlarging Precision Meter" made in USA by the Darkroom Automation Company, based in Cleveland. Their meter is also clever, and very much less expensive than the meters made by RH Designs (nevertheless, my preferred darkroom meter is the Zone Master II because have the very useful integrated gray scale tone and 8 separate memory channels).
More info about Darkroom Automation on www.darkroomautomation.com
Good choice.
Ciao.
Vincenzo