What kind of enlarger timer should I buy? Gralab? Time-o-light? What do you use?

The Chromegas have dedicated timers made for the color head. The light bulb condenser units are hooked to various electronic timers. The cold light needs a mechanical timer or an electronic one that can take the high start up voltage or you need to put the contacter between the cold light and timer.

Lot of pros pring with a music metronone and count.

Hmm... that's like asking what type of truck should someone buy!!! What type of enlarger do yo uhave, what will your primary functions be?

GraLab 300 is a workhorse, but non-repeating. Big dial for bad eyes.

Time-O-Lite is repeatable, sometimes needs a little kick or re-adjustment. Smaller dial for good eyes.

Tons and Tons of digital timers to choose from. Visit your local shop and test-drive a few.

Look into footswitches while you're at it.

Metronome with footswitch to turn on enlarger.

Murray

StopClock from RH-designs. Measures in fstop units. See sponsor for details.

Metronome with footswitch to turn on enlarger.

Murray

This is my choice. Look at Michael Smiths website for description.

I'll tell you what not to buy. Gralab 450 :rolleyes: It's hard enough to use with the lights on.

Has anyone here found they have significant (+/- 3 seconds) lag with Gra-Lab digital timers? I have a 450 and an 850 (I think that's the number... its moderately fancy, above the 450, but not the fanciest one they make... offers times of up to 99 minutes, 99 seconds and 99 tenths, and a few other functions...). Both the 450 and the big brother have a pronounced delay between when I push the button/step on the footswitch and when the enlarger lamp actually kicks on. It isn't too big a deal as I usually print around 45-60 second base exposures, so if I add the extra 3 seconds onto the timer, and I don't get that much lag, it won't affect the final print. Still, it is quite annoying. Any other timers out there I should look at?

I have a stop clock also. I also have a Metrolux II timer Two best timers on the planet.

lee\c

My 450 doesn't have a lag. If it's both timers could it be the enlarger some how?

There was a thread on the enlarger delay for a particular brand, was it a beseler head? Seems the delay was a precursor to a part failure or something. Do a search of the forums.