Looking for a count up timer for use with film development

[Eric Woodbury]

This should be trivial to find, but not the case.

When developing film in an open tray, I'd love to have an LED count UP dimmable timer. I can't seem to find one that isn't a project.

I don't want DOWN, because you must set the time. Just a button to set to zero and it counts up. Must be dimmable so I don't have to hang an old neg or some ND in front of it.

Is this too much to ask? What are you all using for such purposes?

I have Burke and James clock timers -- nice but can't see in the dark. I have the old GraLabs, but the glow is too bright at beginning and too dim at the end. They make great kitchen timers. I have an old alarm clock that I modified to count in minutes and seconds, but it is a pain, too bright and only counts to 10 minutes.

Thanks for the tips.

E

[Keith Pitman]

The Zone VI compensating developing timers count up. You don’t have to use the compensating feature.

[JMO]

If you have an iPhone, consider using the stopwatch function. I don't know if you might even be able to make it show red numerals on the black background (which I'd think would be perfect for you when using near open trays), but mine shows the time (counting up) in whitish numerals on black background and you can adjust the brightness of the overall screen to quite dim levels. I use a JOBO and 3010 Expert Drums, and time with my iPhone's stopwatch, so I don't need to worry about the phone screen fogging the developing film. If the iPhone stopwatch feature doesn't allow you to make the numerals red, I suppose there might be apps available that will.

[Ethan]

If you have an iPhone, consider using the stopwatch function. I don't know if you might even be able to make it show red numerals on the black background (which I'd think would be perfect for you when using near open trays), but mine shows the time (counting up) in whitish numerals on black background and you can adjust the brightness of the overall screen to quite dim levels. I use a JOBO and 3010 Expert Drums, and time with my iPhone's stopwatch, so I don't need to worry about the phone screen fogging the developing film. If the iPhone stopwatch feature doesn't allow you to make the numerals red, I suppose there might be apps available that will.

iPhone can be set to only output red light, but would that be too much light for working with film?

[peter schrager]

Catlabs CET01....$368 with footswitch....not even sure it counts UP!!
someone needs to make a simple timer like the zone vi for a reasonable price....
exactly who wants to count down?? not me...

[peter schrager]

This should be trivial to find, but not the case.

When developing film in an open tray, I'd love to have an LED count UP dimmable timer. I can't seem to find one that isn't a project.

I don't want DOWN, because you must set the time. Just a button to set to zero and it counts up. Must be dimmable so I don't have to hang an old neg or some ND in front of it.

Is this too much to ask? What are you all using for such purposes?

I have Burke and James clock timers -- nice but can't see in the dark. I have the old GraLabs, but the glow is too bright at beginning and too dim at the end. They make great kitchen timers. I have an old alarm clock that I modified to count in minutes and seconds, but it is a pain, too bright and only counts to 10 minutes.

Thanks for the tips.

E

I believe Catlabs is selling a timer that will do hat you want except they are pricing it around $300
I use a zone vi timer without the compensating feature....my favorite!

[Tin Can]

if no timer

i silently count up seconds into minutes

and check myself with audible timers

[Jay Wolfe]

The lack of precision in your suggestion is ridiculous. Look at the other recommendations. There are plenty of other options that will be more accurate. Maybe with your 14k responses, you should back off and let more informed members offer more useful information.

if no timer

i silently count up seconds into minutes

and check myself with audible timers

[Tin Can]

Thanks for your most useful comment

What is the exact accuracy possible dipping sheets in trays

I do use programmed timers on my Gas Burst covered tanks and relax in the light while processing

Usually

but sometimes I really do count and look under safe light while processing very old films and plates one at a time

an old method called process by inspection

perhaps you know it

or not

The lack of precision in your suggestion is ridiculous. Look at the other recommendations. There are plenty of other options that will be more accurate. Maybe with your 14k responses, you should back off and let more informed members offer more useful information.

[rdenney]

The lack of precision in your suggestion is ridiculous. Look at the other recommendations. There are plenty of other options that will be more accurate. Maybe with your 14k responses, you should back off and let more informed members offer more useful information.

Why? Ansel Adams used the same method with a metronome. The person you responded to said “if no timer” and not everyone expects or needs results consistent with a high level of precision (noting the distinction between accuracy and precision). I suspect that with my musical training I could count in my head within 10-15% one way or the other. Are your shutters that accurate?

Rick “this is not the forum for posts with personal attacks—okay?” Denney