Scales for the Darkroom? Something you need to know!

[@TrashTheLens]

Here's a tip: if all you have is just one, cheap scale, so nothing to compare to, and want to know if the readings you are getting are more or less correct, you can weigh some... coins. Coins have a well defined and easy to look up weights. Yes, of course this isn't perfect, there is some variation as the coins get used and rubbed, but it will get you close enough for most photographic purposes.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Brilliant!

[@BlackLabAdventures]

My guess for "RF" interference to the kitchen scale (Cheap scale) would not only be from the position of a cellphone in relation to the scale, but also from how close the scale was located to a microwave oven. When I began measuring ingredients for my developer, I deliberately chose an analog, "triple beam" scale. I confess that my choice between choosing a "digital" vs an "analog" scale, never considered the possibility of "RF" interference; yielding inconsistent results. My choice had to do with battery life expectancy. I spent a considerable portion of my life working with battery powered hand tools. I learned fairly quickly to always have spare batteries charged up and "ready to go". That's because, if I were working on something "mission critical", I could nearly always count on a battery "dying" part way through the job. I didn't want to deal with that possibility while in the "mission critical" task of measuring out chemicals for my developer, (Also, how accurate is a digital scale as the battery gets near fully discharged?). Hence, my choice for an Ohaus, analog "triple beam" scale. Yes, I lose a "tare function", but I would rather deal with that then the possibility of "RF" errors, and a battery dying mid-stream of work.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Your scale is a blast from the past. I used a triple beam scale for years.

[@SilntObsvr]

I used to use a scale made for reloading ammunition. I bought it for its originally intended purpose in 1981. It reads in tenths of a *grain* (15.4 grains to the gram, so smallest increment is about 6 mg), but you have to set the weight and then "trickle" the pan up to balance. Still, it's very simple, has easily adjustable zero (but no tare function), and cost about $20 forty years ago. Recently, I bought a scale for making pour-over coffee, and liked it so well in the kitchen that I bought a second one for the darkroom. It weighs up to 3 kg, displays in 0.1 g for values less than 1 kg (including much heavier total loads tared so the net is within that range), automatically detects if it's on an unstable or not-level surface when powered up, and cost just over $20. Like you, I've never really needed values more precise than 0.1 g in the darkroom (when dropping a sub-gram charge of fast pistol powder into a small case, however, a tenth grain is barely fine enough; my reloading scale isn't going anywhere). Obviously, a forty year old (to a century old design) all mechanical balance scale will be immune to RF interference (though it does use a permanent magnet and copper blade to damp oscillations, the only moving parts that are magnetic are the hook and pan support -- easy to avoid getting them close to a magnet). On the other hand, my coffee scale is intended to be used near an electric kettle, on a range top, etc. where there's almost certain to be 50 Hz or 60 Hz (depending what country you're in) current in nearby wires, and has shown no sign of the effect you showed in that environment -- and my darkroom dry counter has no wiring in it (nearest outlet is almost a meter below the counter top, safelight more than a meter above and to one side), while if I have my phone on me in my darkroom, it'll be on a belt clip, unlikely to get closer to the scale than about 30 cm. I don't feel this level of RFI affect is a reason to spend five or six times as much -- and I like the idea that I can put a 1 L beaker full of solution on the scale and accurately weigh the drop-by-drop addition of another solution if needed.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Sounds like you have a good scale. I do like the idea of being able to weigh higher amounts as you describe. My wiring and sockets are just above the countertop.

[@OskarFilms]

John, I have the exact same scale your wife has and am very satisfied with it. All of the chemicals I've weighed on it have turned out successful formulas for B&W development, including my own!

[@PictorialPlanet]

Excellent news!

[@ilperfezionista]

This video was just perfect in time! I just got a triton t3 scale which costs between 15/20£ and weight up to 500 gr with precision of 0.01 gr. I did try the phone trick and was stable on zero perfectly 🎉

[@PictorialPlanet]

That's great news, Andrea!

[@cinnamon--girl]

Thanks, John! I will try the RF interference with my digital scale. Hopefully, it will not receive any. Best to you!

[@PictorialPlanet]

Best back, CG!

[@randallstewart175]

Very interesting. I've used an Ohaus triple beam balance scale for decades when preparing my photo chemistry. Prior to digital technology, it was pretty much the standard of reference in the price range of several hundred dollars. Completely adequate, but very slow working. When I retired a few years ago, I brought home a digital scale which appears to be exactly the same as your cheaper one here, thinking to try it in my darkroom. I have not yet tested it like this, but now I will.

[@PictorialPlanet]

It's a good scale for the price. It's just the lack of RF protection that is a little alarming.

[@randallstewart1224]

@@PictorialPlanet My little scale was sold to weight mailing postage. If it didn't go nuts in an office surrounded by office equipment, computers, and wi-fi, I'm hoping that it will work okay in my underground basement.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Sounds like you've a good one, Randall! Nice it can be used for postage too :) Must admit, I'd love the Ohaus triple beam!

[@lostintransitphoto]

I have the sam cheaper scale on the left. Very good video to look out for but good to see accuracy is fairly consistent. I tried this with beakers and found rather big differences in volume measurements.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Good point about the beakers, Patrick!

[@mikeadam7267]

Hi Sir, thanks for your valuable videos. Please can you advise if i can print my 120 films on fb 8x10 paper using beseler vc67 for exhibition purposes or should i get another enlarger like LPL or Durst to get more quality prints. Will the final results of the prints be the same? Thank you.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Hi Mike. Your enlarger will give exhibition quality if you have a good lens. That's where you'll make the difference. Which lens do you have now?

[@mikeadam7267]

@@PictorialPlanet Hello Sir, my lens is 50mm beslar 3.5. thank you so much for your reply🙏

[@mikeadam7267]

if i buy an 80mm lens does the prints give me the same quality as Durst or LPL? waiting for your kind advise Sir

[@PictorialPlanet]

For 120 size film, yes. I use an EL-Nikkor N 80mm F5.6

[@mikeadam7267]

@@PictorialPlanet Thank you. Well noted. 🙏👍

[@gabrielsilvaz4199]

The more expensive scale probably has a tape lined with the material that is similar to foil paper. I believe it is non-ferrous tape.

[@PictorialPlanet]

So that's how they do it, clever!

[@kat_7203]

Why are you using weighing paper on the scale when dixie cups are an option? (legit question here)

[@PictorialPlanet]

I always have paper :)

[@kstrohmeier]

I've been thinking about using my wife's kitchen scale to measure the amount of D76 powder I need for 1 developing session.

[@PictorialPlanet]

I don't think measuring out parts of the D76 powder is a great idea. The chemicals might not be evenly distributed being of different weights and sizes. Best to mix it up in solution and decant what you need. It lasts pretty well in sealed bottles.

[@kstrohmeier]

@@PictorialPlanet Thanks for the kind advice.

[@croyale6688]

I ended up with the scales on the left.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Nice, just keep them away from sources of EM interference and you'll be fine. They are very accurate.

[@rcfgnu]

it can replace the graduated beaker?

[@kat_7203]

For water, sure.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Oh, yes

[@bobshowrocks]

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. The extra money you paid for the scale on the right was almost certainly because it came with a certificate of calibration, which I'm guessing you put in the trash. There's nothing in that scale that would cost anywhere near £100. The difference in behavior with the phone near by is just from a slightly different design, something that would cost a few pennies more in a mass produced product like these. As you demonstrated uncalibrated scales can be just as accurate as calibrated ones. Certificates of calibration are only really of use for businesses that need to maintain a paper trail for potential audits.

[@PictorialPlanet]

You missed the point completely.

[@davidottman9501]

With all due respect, the phone usually shouldn't be in the darkroom anyway. :) Thank you John for posting,

[@PictorialPlanet]

😳

[@simonsharp9162]

I have to agree. My phone never sees the inside of my darkroom. It goes in a tray outside the door, along with my watch. Just darkroom discipline as the one time you take your phone in, forget to remove it and it rings while loading up some 10x8 TRi-X you'll know about it. Phone's and darkrooms don't mix no matter what you're doing in them.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Yes!