Description
Description
The °Cs "Temperature Control System" Cinestill TCS-1000 immersion circulator/thermostat is the simplest solution for precision film processing at home.
The TCS-1000 system allows you to heat up your chemistry to the precise processing temperature, and maintain it during the entire developing session - whether you're developing B&W, colour negative, colour slide or B&W positive!
The universal design holds two 1000ml. storage bottles (Collapsible Accordion style, Wide-Mouth, JOBO, etc.) in a sink, tub, or basin of your preference, at the desired temperature.
It comes with a perfectly intuitive interface preset to standard C-41 processing, and easily adjustable temperature and timers for any process.
The Cinestill TCS-1000 mixes and heats chemistry in a 1000ml. pitcher in seconds, without splatter, spill or additional oxidation.
You can also reheat chemistry that has been preserved in the fridge for longer shelf life.
This is the UK model - with the plug complying with UK electrical requirements straight out of the box.
Main Features
- An intuitive ready-to-use interface does not require additional timers, downloading phone apps, nor connecting to bluetooth/wifi
- Display and firmware are pre-programmed to process film with an adjustable two-stage timer for any process (C-41, E-6, B&W, etc.) in Min : Sec
- There is simple toggling between °C/°F readouts
- Universal bottle holder holds two 1000ml. storage bottles (collapsible accordion style, Wide-Mouth, JOBO, etc.) in a sink, tub, or basin of your preference
- PTC heating element, brushless DC motor and moulded polymer impeller
- Stainless steel housing
- Ground protection and temp/water level/overheat protection sensor
- UK electrical plug
Advantages over kitchen appliances
There are of course similar products out in the world that are designed to help with cooking and baking, even mobile foot-spas have a similar mechanic! And these products all helped formed the inspiration for the Cinestill TCS-1000.
However there are obviously significant advantages to using a product custom-built for film developing rather than trying to adapt something from your kitchen or bathroom!
The Cinestill TCS-1000:
- Has user-adjustable precise constant temperature control, from 0°C to 95°C (+/-0.1°C), compared to cooking appliances which are only consistent between 45°C to 99°C (film processing ranges between 18°C - 40°C).
- Heats, mixes and circulates chemistry or temperature control bath, maintaining consistent accurate temperature (within +/-1°C of user setting) throughout the entire bath (1-20L).
- Contains positive thermal coefficient (PTC) heating element heats/cools quickly and is more stable and durable than standard metal heating tubes, which run too hot and rust.
- Features a display and firmware designed for processing film, starts up ready to process color film with adjustable two-stage timer for any process (C-41, E-6, Df96 monobath, etc.) in Min : Sec
- Has a high efficiency DC brushless motor offers fast speed, low noise, does not give off heat when processing film at lower temperatures, and has a life cycle over 4,000 working hours, 20-30% longer than most kitchen appliances. Combined with moulded impeller has a max circulation capacity of up to 20L.
User Guide
Each unit comes with bottle holders and instruction leaflet. You can also download a pdf of the user guide here
Payment & Security
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I was fortunate to receive the Cinestill TCS1000 for Christmas, but didn't try it out until recently as I also purchased an AGO processor - see separate review.
I've processed B&W at effectively room temperature for over 50 years, I still have my original Johnsons of Hendon tank which sees use from time to time as it can manage 35mm, 120 and even 127.
Last week the TCS1000 got its first outing, with two C41 films and using the Bellini C41 kit (sorry AW) and set to 38c.
Although the TCS is very efficient and heats the water bath up to temperature very quickly, if you are trying to heat a large volume of chemicals (3x1l bottles) then even after about 30 mins the temperature isn't 38c. Although the AGO compensated for the developing time I was out of the ideal range for the Developer.
Two possible solutions are 1) set the TCS to 39 or 40 c, or 2) Decant the actual required volume into smaller vessels that warm quicker. The latter is OK if you are only doing one lot of developing!
Overall the TCS is a great bit of kit, it fits nicely into my relatively small kitchen sink, it is easy to use, and even has timer settings if you are doing traditional tank developing (ie without the AGO). I've put a couple of shots in the review just to prove it worked! Highly recommended.
Debated buying this for far too long and really wish I had just gotten it sooner. Super simple to use, takes all the guess work and difficulty out of temperature control and has a timer setting for developing already built in. Fantastic piece of kit and now an essential part of my colour developing process. Highly recommend.
I've used the Cinestill Temperature Control 4 times so far and to be honest I'm not sure I'm getting much benefit over how I used to heat my C41 chemicals. (Using a combo of tap and boiled water from the kettle in a bucket.) I had expected you dial in 39degrees on the system and that would be it job done. Well, experience so far, I've had bottles sitting in the heating water for a good 45mins to an hour and when I check temp of my developer it's not at the desired temperature falling short a good couple degrees. I've then had to crank the temp up to 41 degrees on the system and wait even longer and its still not quite there (see pics). I suppose over time I'll find where the sweet spot is, but that does seem to rather defeat the point of having this temperature control display where you feel confident that 39degrees will be 39 degrees! It's not (at least not for mine) and as such I'm really disappointed for this is a rather expensive gadget that may end up sitting in its box.
I had one of these. Not cheap but a practical idea that can save you some hassle if you live in an environment (E.G
the UK) where weather temperature can be variable at best.
Didn't have mine when I wrote this review so had to take a screenshot. Sorry 😐.
Wasnt sure whether or not to invest in one of these as I began to home develop colour films but so glad I did. It takes all the guesswork out of the temperature control which is so crucial in colour films development. Well worth the investment.
