The Virtues of an Analog Stopwatch

By Ben Horne

In this digital age where smartphones can do virtually everything, you might wonder why anyone would need a dedicated analog stopwatch. But for those of us who work with large format cameras and long exposures, a reliable analog stopwatch isn't just convenient—it's essential.

The Problem with Digital Timers

When you're standing in the field with your view camera, gloved hands in cold weather, trying to time a 30-second or longer exposure, fumbling with a smartphone or digital timer can be problematic. Screen visibility in bright daylight, battery life in cold temperatures, and the simple interface complexity all become real concerns.

Why Analog Works

An analog stopwatch is simple, reliable, and purpose-built for one task: measuring time. There are no menus to navigate, no screens to unlock, no battery percentage to worry about. You press the top button to start, press it again to stop, and press the bottom button to reset. That's it.

The Minerva Stopwatch

I've been using a Minerva analog stopwatch for years, and it's become an indispensable part of my large format kit. It's mechanical, so it works in any temperature. The large dial is easy to read even in challenging lighting conditions. And the satisfying click of the mechanism gives tactile feedback that you've successfully started or stopped the timer—something you can feel even through gloves.

Timing Long Exposures

When you're doing reciprocity failure calculations and need to time exposures that might run several minutes, having a dedicated timer that you can start and forget about (while still being able to glance at it occasionally) is invaluable. Unlike a phone that might go to sleep or receive a notification, a mechanical stopwatch just keeps ticking.

A Tool That Works

In an era where we're constantly upgrading our technology, there's something refreshing about a tool that's been essentially unchanged for decades because the design simply works. For large format photographers who value simplicity and reliability in the field, an analog stopwatch earns its place in the camera bag.

Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.