Custom Film Darkroom Timer with an ESP32 Microcontroller

In today’s video, I’m diving deep into one of my latest projects—building a custom darkroom print exposure timer for my film photography workflow! 🎞️ Film photography has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a screenless, hands-on process that feels more rewarding than digital photography. That love led me to create a dedicated darkroom in my basement, where I can develop and print my photos in a fully analog environment. However, my recent dive into F-Stop printing made me realize that my old timer was a bit too limiting. Rather than shell out hundreds of dollars for a high-end timer, I decided to build my own using an ESP32 microcontroller, a custom PCB, and a 3D-printed case. Throughout this video, I’ll take you through the entire build—from coding the software to assembling the electronics and designing the tactile, dial-heavy front panel that makes working in low-light conditions a breeze. Here’s a breakdown of the timer features: Easy control for test strips and final print modes Rotary encoder for precise exposure time adjustments F-Stop based timing increments for more accurate test strips Custom backlit control panel for darkroom use Integration with my enlarger for seamless workflow Join me as I walk through the design, build, and setup process. I also explain how this timer has made my F-Stop printing workflow much faster and more efficient! If you’re into photography, DIY electronics, or are just curious about film photography tools, this video is for you. GitHub repo with firmware, PCB files, and CAD designs is linked below. Make sure to like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments if you want to see more of my photography and darkroom projects! * https://github.com/johnjones4/F-Stop-Timer * https://www.printables.com/model/1016441-darkroom-f-stop-printing-timer-enclosure-and-contr Thanks for watching! #FilmPhotography #Darkroom #ESP32 #DIYTimer #FStopPrinting #JohnBuildsThings