Adorama Ultra Universal Plastic Daylight Film Developing Tank for Film Sizes, 35mm, 120 and 220

2021-03-28T06:30:46

Two easy-loading reels quadruples my developing output! Okay, so maybe I'm not great with math, but as a practical matter, these rolls load so easily that I find myself developing much more film. So I can take more pictures! I had a cheap-o vintage tank that I bought from eBay when I got into film photography. It was horrible, and I dreaded having to load the film reels. I ruined more than a few because the reel which came with that awful tank was so difficult to use. This Adorama tank, however, is amazing! The reels load easily (they practically load themselves!). The ball bearing action is smooth, easily taking up a 36 exposure roll of film. This Adorama tank even fits (if a bit snugly) in my small (another bargain) changing bag. I'll probably invest 20 more bucks into an Adorama bag. From what I can tell, the Adorama-branded gear is of excellent quality. I'd recommend this tank to any beginner or intermediate film photographer.

ANTHONY F.

2021-02-22T14:18:44

Developing tank is durable with no light leaks. Yes, it does leak chemicals sometimes but agitating over a sink and using a towel minimizes any mess. I’ve done many rolls of 35mm and 120 with zero problems (other then camera light leaks which don’t count). Overall, it works quite well.

AMANDA T.

2020-12-16T12:50:54

works great and a great price.

MICHAEL Z.

2020-08-09T08:03:37

As described! Speedy shipping!

KATRINA R.

2020-07-07T13:03:32

This is my first developer tank and it's been great using it! One of the balls for one of the reels that catch the film was missing, so I can't use that. But the other one has both and it works perfect and easy

TRISTAN B.

2020-06-02T16:28:21

Worked exactly as advertised

LUCAS O.

2020-02-16T04:29:59

I prefer this tank to Paterson for most purposes, because the agitation result is less sloppy. This tank has a top cap that seals much better than Paterson, which gets a little loose at times and can drip chemical when upside down. I think Paterson fills and empties a little quicker, though, and Paterson offers tank sizes of 3 or more reel processing (35MM), which is handy for those of us who use more chemical volume (per reel) during processing. Especially with very dilute developer concentration. I'd buy a 3-reel-tank size immediately if available for this style. by the way, If I really needed a quicker transfer of chemical, I'd be in light proof room with ability to turn lights on/off easily with foot switch or at my fingertips. I'd have a 2nd tank base available already filled with developer. When ready to begin processing, turn on metronome timer sound in background to help count agitation seconds), turn off the lights, open tank with film reels, and transfer film reels to the tank that has developer in it, quickly install cover and begin agitation while counting the seconds. This is the only critical segment of my process.

Roger B.

2020-01-26T08:24:40

I’ve used this a handful of times for 120 and 35mm and I’m really underwhelmed. It’s leaky in a way that’s too unpredictable for me to feel comfortable. I’m going to try another brand.

AMANDA A.

2019-09-18T11:26:03

The instructions don't explain how to expand the reel for 120 size film but I managed not to break it figuring it out. Just twist the right side reel away from you hard enough to cause it to pop forward and then pull it to the right. The first time I did it I worried that I might have broken it but not so.

ROBERT R.

2019-08-01T16:21:34

Even though it's plastic, it still has a nice build quality to it. Very sturdy. Film winds into the reels easily. I've used it to develop both 35mm and 120mm and it works great. There weren't any instructions in the box that I received as to how to adjust the reels from 35mm size to 120, but with a little fiddling, it was simple to figure out. It can fit 2 35mm rolls at once, but will only be able to fit a single 120 at a time.

Kyle A.

2018-12-27T10:22:24

I recently received this tank for Christmas, it is very nice, leaks very little. However it is advertised as developing 120, 135 and 110 film. It doesn't develop 110 film so please fix description.

Cheddar O.

2018-07-09T06:23:51

Develops two rolls of 35mm or one roll of medium-format. Worked pretty well, though it leaked when I did the agitation. Not sure what happened. Photos came out well.

Nathan W.

2018-03-15T12:40:08

Once the tank is loaded, operating the tank worked just fine; totally light-tight, easy to pour chemistry in and out. However, I never was able to get medium format film to load correctly, and was left with undeveloped spots all along both edges, and sometimes into the frame. Edges were left folded and creased from trying to get it on the reel. Film also contacted itself in many places, leaving big spots. Maybe it's because I learned on stainless reels. Maybe it's because I'm using medium format rather than 35mm. I returned it and bought a stainless tank. Also, after looking closely it does say so in the description, but this tank will only hold 1 roll of medium format film. I incorrectly assumed that both would fit when adjusted to 2.25"

Tom R.

2017-07-28T15:32:08

This tank comes with loading reel that I especially like using with 120 film. Works well with 135 too.

CHARLES M.

2017-06-02T11:58:03

Incredible! I've used the paterson system but could not justify the price. Adorama had this option and I liked the idea of it.cing as a kit. The reals are truly fantastic and extremely easy to load. 120 and 35mm film with the large fins to help guide it onto the real. No leaks what so ever. NONE! NO MESS AT ALL! I even roll the canister on its side during alternate agitation times and no leakage at all. I'm extremely happy with this system. And I save a few bux for chemistry!

MICHAEL G.

2016-08-04T05:40:02

This Adorama brand tank is actually manufactured by AP Photo Group in Spain. AP makes the best tank - the red cap fits snugly and leaks very little in comparison to the Paterson tank. The reels are also a better design than Paterson. The guide rails on Paterson reels are small and prone to misfeeds particularly in hot and humid weather. The AP reels (shown here) have a guide that spans the entire width of the reel and (writing from memory here) is about 3 cm long. This eliminates misfeeds and makes it a snap to load film. The only drawback is that unloading film must be done carefully to avoid crimping a negative as the guide may be in the way on occasion. Half of the reel assembly is twisted a quarter turn to separate the two halves and remove the wet film and the guide occasionally engages the wet film. A little care with unloading and that issue is resolved - I usually lift a small section of film right off of the reel to clear a path for the guide prior to separating the reel assembly. Conclusion: I much prefer this tank to the Paterson and/or the various stainless steel tanks. I'm pleased Adorama continues to stock it and sell it at a reasonable price.

Thomas G.

2013-10-22T21:00:00

The large loading track on these reels is easy for a beginning photography student to master. The tanks don't leak. We have a variety of film developing tanks, both plastic and metal. This particular model is preferred by students.

Photo T.

2013-06-26T21:00:00

Easy to load.

The p.

2013-06-24T21:00:00

This tank is great, and the reels are the easiest reels I've ever used. I'd recommend this tank to anyone looking for a development tank. It has two different agitation methods that you can choose from: One is by spinning the reels with a knob, and the other way is the standard "shaking" the tank around. The lid is sealed tight, and I've never had any leaking issues when agitating it by the shaking method. The one and only "con" this tank has is that sometimes the film is hard to get OFF the reels once it's been developed. The reel has crunched up the edges of a roll of film of mine, because I literally had to tear the film off the roll.

Jen

2013-05-06T21:00:00

I have used a lot of tanks, and this is one of the easiest to use, and one that delivers consistent results.

Mike W.

2013-03-25T21:00:00

I'm torn on this product. The reels are the best I've ever used in that there's a large flange on them that really helps loading the film, especially 120. However, the tank lid does not seal properly, so while I'm using the tank during the blix phase, there was so much leakage that my son thought that it looked as if I had killed something in the bathroom sink. This tank is also more difficult to pour compared with the Paterson tank. I ended up going with the Paterson tank and using these reels. Best of both worlds. I recommend the reels, but not the tank.

Tracy B.

2012-09-23T21:00:00

The best reels.... So easy to get fil loaded

Ellis

2012-03-04T19:00:00

My favorite feature of this tank is the reel design. They are easy to load in my change bag. So much quicker that the steel reels! The tank is also good and does not leak when threaded properly. The rotating agitator is a nice feature, but also makes the tank a bit bigger, requiring a little more developer to fill compared to plain aluminum tanks. Not a deal breaker, but worth noting.

nwtech

2011-11-30T19:00:00

I'm most impressed by how easy the reels load. It's hard to mess up with this.

JAMES G.

2011-10-23T21:00:00

Easy to use, not expensive

SERGEY Y.

2011-10-01T21:00:00

I have used many reels over the years, but these are the easiest to load of any I have used. You can load these blindfolded in the dark ;) For me, the tank is only as good as the reels. Much easier to load than stainless or the Jobo-style reels. I have five of these. I do not use inversion, but reversing rotation for agitation. I have had chemical leaks when inverting. Many, if not all, tanks have this problem. I have always preferred reversing rotation agitation since it keeps air bubbles and foaming to a minimum. I have not seen these affect my results over the last 35 years of working with film.

ANTHONY R.

2011-09-22T21:00:00

Uses this tank for approximately a year. Easy to load, no developer/fixer leakage, so you can agitate the film seating in your living room))

B

2011-01-11T19:00:00

Easy to load with some practice. Great for the first time darkroom.

Bullpup95

2010-11-06T21:00:00

THis is a great product to use to develop your film. Anything else like this is hard to use and can sometimes ruin your flim or not develop correctly because sometimes your film will get too close and touch, causing it no to develop. But with this plastic developing tank it is extremely easy to use and you will get successful results every time. THis is a must buy item, for developing your film. No need to debate, just buy it if you cant decide. it is definitely worth it!!!

mn

2010-08-08T21:00:00

This is just the product I need for ease of winding film in the dark room.

CONI B.