BigSteveG
Well-known
Anyone here using one? Any caveats on buying a used unit? Can it also be used for film with tank development? I'm going to see one tonight and am wondering if anyone has any info/opinions??? Thanks.
Noserider
Christiaan Phleger
Buy it. I use mine with prints, keeps my fiber prints consistent summer or winter. I would think that with deep tank development it would work great, except for the fact that most of the time with deep tanks, the temp stays consistent so its easy to adjust the times to match the temp. In my darkroom summer temps are high so it makes printing easier (and faster!).
Seriously, this a great unit. I've done a bit of repair on mine over the 10+ years I've had mine, if I lost the whole darkroom this would be the 1st or 2nd thing I'd replace. I just can't figure out why nobody has either built another unit like it or improved on it, considering the used prices it gets (300-450!). The guys who designed it did it right, I figure mine is about 20-25 years old and runs great, I just wish the temp unit wasn't enclosed in resin so I could replace the phone style cord when that part goes under. If they want less than 300 grab it.
Seriously, this a great unit. I've done a bit of repair on mine over the 10+ years I've had mine, if I lost the whole darkroom this would be the 1st or 2nd thing I'd replace. I just can't figure out why nobody has either built another unit like it or improved on it, considering the used prices it gets (300-450!). The guys who designed it did it right, I figure mine is about 20-25 years old and runs great, I just wish the temp unit wasn't enclosed in resin so I could replace the phone style cord when that part goes under. If they want less than 300 grab it.
BigSteveG
Well-known
Thnaks Nose. I did buy it and got a very nice price on it. It's in very nice condition as well.
Noserider
Christiaan Phleger
Great to hear, does yours have the black plastic resin temp sensor? My footswitch blew so I use a simple toggle, and let me know if you need help.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
The problem with those things is that the amount of time compensation for temp changes is not the same for every developer. Its probably made for D76, but what if you use Tmax Developer, or Rodinal, or something else? I really think this was a solution in search of a problem and thats why few people bought them. I remember getting the Zone VI catalogs back when Mr. Picker was still running the company. I'd like to have had one of their enlargers and one of thier cameras but never bought them due to lack of funds at the time (I was in college back then). I did buy one of their print washers, which i still have and it was well made and worked well. I think some of the more esoteric stuff though was really useless and a way for old Fred P. to Pick the pockets of the rich and stupid.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
I believe it's originally for print development so differences between developers would not be as great as with film developers. Fred used Dektol and his own Zone VI formulation for print developer.
For film, he was mostly an HC-110 guy.
For film, he was mostly an HC-110 guy.
BigSteveG
Well-known
Thanks Trius. I was starting to feel rich and stupid!!!
BigSteveG
Well-known
Nose,
My temp sensor is a metal rod connecting to the unit by way of a phone plug. I've seen pics of others that seem to be a black plastic clamp device. My unit looks to be in wonderful shape and I plan on firing it up this weekend.
My temp sensor is a metal rod connecting to the unit by way of a phone plug. I've seen pics of others that seem to be a black plastic clamp device. My unit looks to be in wonderful shape and I plan on firing it up this weekend.