Lab-Box: the Multiformat Daylight-Loading Film Tank

This is such an amazing piece of equipment that I have wanted for ages. Well it is epic and easy to use I have developed a 1980s 1990s and now the newer film now days. and it's lovely to develop film straight after I have taken them and can get them done so quick it's crazy.

Bought the Lab Box a while ago, but was nervous to use it. When I finally did, it pleasantly surprised me. It was easy to use and I had no issues. I think the main thing is making sure you put each part together properly and your film is on the spool correctly. I used a YouTube video tutorial to make sure I was doing it right. The first roll I developed had a lot of water spots on it, so I highly recommend a final rinse with distilled water. My second roll had zero water spots after using this method. Overall, love the Lab Box and give it 5 stars :).

I use this for 120 developing. There are some good improvements over the Rondinax 60. The spool lock & pressure plate is better thought out, as is the slot for pulling the backing paper through. TIP! If your film has been in the camera for a while or it's summer, leave the exposed taped roll in the fridge or freezer to stiffen the film to encourage it to coil into the chamber. Since doing this l have had 100% success in loading without affecting developing Also. Pull the film paper between thumb & forefinger slowly in small movements to ensure successful film coiling. You are not recommended to use Fomapan film, it doesn't coil as with Rondinax 60. Ilford processes great as its plastic is thicker.
For 35mm l have an old Agfa Rondinax which will process Fomapan, my favourite 35mm B/W film. LAB BOX say Fomapan will not develop with their module.
The Lab box is well thought out & a joy to use. Expensive, but worth the money as it is nice to have something new instead of making good with old worn stuff that may ruin your negs.

Never having home developed before, I've found this device makes it very easy. I've tried 120 and 35mm black and white film without any issue. I'm not sure that I wouldn't have messed it up using a normal tank. The ability to load the film in daylight makes it so much more convenient. The only minus point is probably the price!

Easy to use, quick, compact, hassle free, can load film without darkbag. Thoroughly enjoying using the lab box so far.

Easy to use, time saving, compact. So far it has been an absolute delight to use!

I had previously done a BA HONS in photography graduated in October 2021 (late due to covid) so I wasn't a stranger to the darkroom but I always struggled with confidence and stress about development etc and since graduating and having a baby I had lost all confidence in myself I wasn't shooting much and I had lots of rolls to develop but I got thus and monobath for Christmas amongst other film stuffs and mixed chemicals yesterday and developed a roll last night I was so nervous incase it had gone wrong (like many times before at uni) but law and behold there is pictures on the negatives. I've put them on my shower thing to dry so don't know how good they are but they don't look thin or anything like that so fingers crossed it's fine I will hopefully scan today, all in all the process from getting everything ready to getting rhe water up to temp took around 30-45 mins but if I was more organised it would take less time I hope all trial and error. Well this is a game changer and has put confidence and the fire about all the magic about film right back inside me! What a game changer!

I've used this for 35mm and 120 films over the past couple of months. It takes away the hassle of developing both types of film if, like me, you have to use a changing bag to load the developing tanks. This is more apparent when developing 120 films. I don't think you need one of these if you have a darkroom but for me, it's very useful and a good buy.

I thought I'd dip my toe into home development and the Lab-Box proved to be just the ideal product for that. I've now used it for 35mm and 120 several times with success and glad to report no failures. There are a couple of things to look out for. Firstly I've not developed 120 without loosing my 1st frame to the light. Secondly there are several film stocks that Ars-Image do not recommend using the product is used for developing (they were exceptional in responding to my queries). Finally I would seriously recommend a visit to YouTube before you dive in... invaluable !

It is a bit of a faff to do your first roll of film - until you work out your process but after that, if you are only developing no more than 2-3 rolls at a time, this is a much more convenient way of processing than changing bags and blind feeder spooling IMHO. I agree with the other reviewer in that the only thing that goes against it is that it is a bit expensive. Remember and order a film retriever too as it is easier

Great product easy to use.
Fantastic service from analogue wonderlands as usual.