Keeping Time tray developing film

[alethearobbins]

Hello friends

How do folks monitor development time while in pitch black for tray developing sheet film?

Many thanks! Happy full moon

Alethea

[freecitizen]

I have an ancient device known as a tape recorder.

I made a 30 minute recording of myself as a speaking stopwatch ........ I just play that in the dark.

Works very well.

[alethearobbins]

I have an ancient device known as a tape recorder.

I made a 30 minute recording of myself as a speaking stopwatch ........ I just play that in the dark.

Works very well.

I love that idea!!

[pau3]

I love that idea!!

I use the same system, although I recorded my voice in my phone. I play it through a bluetooth speaker. The recording marks the time in intervals of 15 seconds. It is very convenient, because I never know exactly when I’m going to place the film in the developer.

Best,
Pau

[Vaughn]

I have an ancient device known as a tape recorder.

I made a 30 minute recording of myself as a speaking stopwatch ........ I just play that in the dark.

Works very well.

I am sure it does. It just happens to be one of my possible hell-scenerios. To be trapped in a small dark space listening to my own voice...forever...

Fortunately, for 8x10 and smaller I have Jobo Expert Drums (3006, 3005) and I do daylight processing...and only my 11x14 is still done in trays. And in my small space that is light-tight enough, it takes some interesting tray manuvering in the dark...partly to keep the fixer tray covered as long as possible. Most of my alt print processing requires only dim-room conditions rather than darkroom.

I did open tray development, one sheet at a time, for 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10, for twenty years or so. Fortunately I do a lot of editing before exposing film, so my volume has always been low. But the time is wonderfully quiet and dark, and with constant rocking of the tray programmed into my hands, my mind was free to wander. And with surprises at regular intervals when I turn on the lights. The Jobo drums are faster, seems as even -- but the lights are on and the motor base is making its windy-grindy sort of noise. Sort of like my Svea stove backpacking...does a great job, but so nice to turn off!

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

Any darkroom timer app on your smartphone that beaps once every minute should be good. Just make sure you hide the phone in a thick jacket or something that cuts off the light from the phone.

[LabRat]

I use an old Gra-Lab timer with glow-in-the-dark hands... If the face of the timer does not face the tray or tank, and is higher or lower than the developing area, it is safe...

If you have a LED countdown timer, if you cover the readout with a couple of layers of red film and leave it out of way on the floor or aiming away from process, that works too...

Steve K

[RodinalDuchamp]

I use an old Gra-Lab timer with glow-in-the-dark hands... If the face of the timer does not face the tray or tank, and is higher or lower than the developing area, it is safe...

If you have a LED countdown timer, if you cover the readout with a couple of layers of red film and leave it out of way on the floor or aiming away from process, that works too...

Steve K

Any standard GraLab timer works. I have never had any issues with fogging or ruining a piece of film because of the glow in the dark numbers. I have used them directly in front of my initial pre wash tray for years with no problems. For me this is the best solution because some phones will override apps when you receive a notification and increase the screen brightness which even at its lowest will damage your film.

[Two23]

I use a glow in dark gralab timer too, pointed away from the trays. Fot 4x5 I use an SP445. Very easy and affordable. For 5x7 and 8x10 I have the new SP810 coming.
Kent in SD

[Tin Can]

Usually Gralab out of sight of the tray

Or if ad hoc processing without it, I silently count