Retirement means I have time. So, I have decided to try my hand at developing my own film once again. My low level of patience and tolerance for frustration makes a film bag, reels, and a Paterson tank something I don’t really like. When the Lab-Box came out, I thought it looked pretty good, and bought myself one with both the 35mm and 120 film modules.
Do you know what the Lab-Box is? Well, it is a day-light loading and processing box system for 35mm and 120 film. Learn about it in this video below. What is good about this particular video is that it links to “how to” videos on how to assemble the bits and pieces of the critter. There are a lot of other videos out there, too, so if you are curious, head over to YouTube.
Right up front, I got a bunch of crappy pictures. I had hoped for better using the Lab-Box and black and white 35mm film (Tri-X 400). However, I also really did not expect much as film processing and I have a history of disliking each other it seems. I had a problem rolling the film onto the reel. If the reel is not properly put together, there are problems, which may be why I had the issues I did. As a result, I plan to check my rolling of film with a canister of 35mm play film
The developing itself went okay. The images that did develop were at the beginning and at the end of the roll, but the ones in between must have gotten squashed together as I rolled the film in the box. I also did not attach the crank properly at the beginning of the processing development, and probably had a light leak along with a loss of some chemistry. The reel may also be improperly assembled.
I am going to continue using the Lab-Box. Practice is necessary for this kind of stuff. I will re-check how I assembled it. For processing the film, I used a monobath, an archival rinse, and PhotoFlo 500 before hanging the roll up to dry. The steps I used to process the film seem to be okay, but the light leak, chemistry leak, and so on all need to be sorted out. Others have gotten great results with their Lab-Boxes, in both 35 and 120, and I see no reason I shouldn’t either!
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
More power to you!! The last time I developed film was in the late 80s. You’ve identified potential challenges, and I have no doubt that you will succeed!
Keep at it!
Thanks for the information. Our only lab that processes film in town just shut down so I may have to try this.
I’m a real klutz when it comes to stuff like this so I expect a high learning curve for me. But with time I think I will get it. Pressure from limited time makes things like this more frustrating than fun, and that element in life is now gone!! Let me know how it goes. Check out FreeStyle Photography in L.A. or Roberts Camera in the midwest.
You bet!
Thanks, Anne! I’m already plotting the next steps.
Seems nice, but I still prefer the good old Paterson tanks. Getting the film on the reel is the only “hard” part (done in a dark room or with a development bag), but the feeling in ones fingers allow to do it right. With this automated process you can’t really know what’s happening and might even tear the film !
I guess I’m some sort of luddite when it comes to film 🙂
Now there’s the enlarger part, as the first successful print is usually a great source of pride (my three children went through the whole process when they reached 14 years old and were given an FM10 to play with 🙂 )
Good luck for the next steps ! 🙂
Whatever works, in my book. I don’t like the bag because all the weight makes it difficult to feel the reels, and the elastic in the cuffs is irritating. I could do 35mm ok, but the 120 was a crinkled, crunched up mess! And being a Luddite – who cares? Thanks for the thoughts, Jacques!