Enlarger Timer Recomendations

[scott_killian1]

I'm looking for recomendations from folks about which enlarger

timer to purchase. I shoot 4x5 and my enlarger is a Beseler

45MX with Zone VI cold head. I've seen the newer digital models

which allow you to spot meter the enlarged image and calculate

an initial expsoure as a starting point. Any of these worthwhile or

should I go back to a standard timer?

[nacio_jan_brown3]

Hands down: http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/SCPro.htm

[nacio_jan_brown3]

Better yet, get the new "Vario" model of the above timer and use it

with: http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/zonemaster.htm. njb

[michael_feldman1]

Do you have a Zone VI Stabilizer? Does your Zone VI head have a

built-in photocell for a Zone VI Enlarger Timer (from Calumet). Not

all digital timers can handle the load of a cold light head without

getting fried.

[scott_killian1]

Don't have a Zone VI Stabilizer, although I see them on eBay

fairly often. RH Designs makes a unit called the Analyser Pro

which I've been eyeing. It appears to work with cold heads and

combines the densitometer feature with a digital timer. Would it

make sense to combine this with the Zone VI Stabilizer?

[scott_killian1]

Don't have a Zone VI Stabilizer, although I see them on eBay

fairly often. RH Designs makes a unit called the Analyser Pro

which I've been eyeing.

 

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http://www.rhdesigns.co.uk/analyser.htm

 

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It appears to work with cold heads and combines the

densitometer feature with a digital timer. Would it make sense to

combine this with the Zone VI Stabilizer?

[alec1]

The Stabilizer performs a different function than then timer, and is

highly recommended no matter what timer you use. The purpose of the

stabilizer is to keep the output of the head level. CL heads have a

bad habit of fluctuating their light output depending on a number of

factors, incl. voltage, temperature, time, etc. I use the stabilizer

with a standard timer [i perform the calculations myself].

[erik4]

Scott,

 

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There is also the Metrolux timer with cell for the cold light head to

keep output consistent.

 

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The RH Designs Analyser Pro does not have a facility for a cell for

the cold light source.

 

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You should get the Stop-Clock Vario and the ZoneMaster II.

[michael_feldman1]

You didn't say whether your Zone VI Cold Light has the built-in

photocell. The older ones did not, but the newer ones did. If you

have the built in photocell, I would recommend the Zone VI

Compensating Enlarging Timer from Calumet. It's not cheap at $380. If

you don't have the built-in photocell you can get one from Calumet

for about $55, but you will have to install it yourself.

 

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There are two main considerations with cold light heads and timers.

First, many digital timers cannot handle the load, and second, you

need some way to stabilize the light source (which is notorious for

fluctuating). Zone VI Compensating Enlarging Timer and photocell

solve both of these issues, but there may be other solutions.

[scott_killian1]

Thanks for the advice. How can I check the head to see if it has

already has the photocell?

[michael_feldman1]

On the top of the head (where the other wires come out) there would

be an unused 3 prong round outlet. On the bottom of the unit (where

the light tubes are) would be a photocell.

[scott_killian2]

Everyone,

 

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Thanks for your help. I talked with RH Designs and since I was

able to confirm that I indeed have the photo cell in my Zone VI

head, I think I'm going to spring for the Stop-Clock Vario and the

ZoneMaster II. Once again, this board has been a huge help.