Response to Enlarger Timer Recomendations

"Ansel Adams used a metronome and a switch". Adams was a classically trained musician first. He also freely admitted that the sound of the metronome might drive many people crazy. He also was aware of the brightness fluctuations inherent with the cold light (brightness varies w/ temperature) and devised elaborate methods to find repeatablity. Without much success. When Zone VI invented the stabilizer (after Adams' death) the cold light finally became a repeatable light source. I've used a cold light with and without the stabilizer, and without it you'll make yourself insane and make the paper manufacturers rich. I'm not familiar with all the timers mentioned, I believe the Mtrolux also can control cold-light output, and that the Calumet compensating timer does the same, eliminating the need for the stabilizer. But you've got to have something to control the output. This was graphically explained in a 1980's issue of the old "Zone VI Newsletter". And they/Calumet did indeed sell a metronome, for those who like it; IIRC they called it a Tiktok".

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