Enlarger timer choices

[baachitraka]

I have acquired Focomat Ic and looking for a timer. I do not know which are reliable(mechanical or electronic). But, my first choice is Jobo Time switch.

Any other good suggestion?

[degruyl]

I really like the f-stop timer from Darkroom Automation. http://www.darkroomautomation.com/fst.htm I have no idea if it is designed for european voltages.

[jeffreyg]

I have been using an electronic for very many years and doubt that it is still available. The features I would look for are: one that lets you set seconds in 10 sec increments, 1 sec increments, .1 sec increments, has a focus switch, turns off the safelight during exposure, has a foot peddle, and has a 1 sec audible. Mine doesn't have the audible so I have an electronic metronome plugged in to it. The foot peddle lets your hands free for burning and dodging and the audible is useful for those procedures as well.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

[Jim Jones]

A metronome or digital clock that ticks once a second sounds primative, but has advantages for low volume printing with dodging and burning. A timer is worthwhile for routine high volume printing.

[Vincent Brady (TEX)]

I use the f-stop timer from RH Designs and I love it.

[Martin Aislabie]

I use a RH Stopclock Pro - they are expensive but worth it - http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/darkroom/...fessional.html

I was sceptical about whether they were worth the money - until I did bought one

To begin with it seems to have features you don't want or would ever use.

However, after using one for a few times, you will wonder how you managed with them.

I don't know anyone who has one and doesn't absolutely love it.

If mine were to ever break I would buy a new one the very next day

Martin

[hadeer]

I use the RH Design StopClock Pro in combination with a Zonemaster II meter, expensive equipment but worth every cent. Takes a variables out of the equation and once you are acquainted with thinking in stops instead of seconds and minutes makes you wonder why you did'nt invest in one much earlier?.

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

Darkroom Automation fstop timer. Love it.

EDIT: Just realized you were posting from Germany, which means the RH f-stop timer would probably be appropriate for the funky European voltage. :-) Cost-wise, it may seem like a stretch, but an f-stop timer is crazy awesome. Once you get it you'll wonder how you survived without it.

[paul ron]

Call me old fashion, but I love my old Time-O-Lite. Set the time arm n push the button for repeated exposures, or use a foot switch to set her off. Simple n easy to use n read. This was a real upgrade from my old GraLab 300.

I also had a GraLab 450 electronic digital display with a foot switch (will be selling it soon if I get to clean the garage out). It was more anoying than anytihng I've ever used. I couldnt'd "see" the time on my pie face analog clock which has that feel a digital just can't give you. It is amazing how some of us grew so accustomed to our analog watch face style rather than a digital display with no future or past, just void with the imediate now numbers. I like to see that a quarter of the dial is for dodging instread of calculating 15 digital sec or counting ticks.

If I need to double or half an exposure, I just work my ƒ-stops, no brainer.

.

[bdial]

Paul makes an excellent point, that an F-stop timer isn't a requirement for doing F-stop printing, though it does help. For a simple approach, it's hard to beat the Time-O-Lites and similar resetting analog timers.