LabBox

[RalphLambrecht]

I think a bungie cord would be more practical if you can find points to attach it to.

You might need a specific type of table/counter or attach some hooks here and there.

So far it's worked to just add some weights on top of the box; am I case to door stoppers hold it down.

 

[Auer]

So far it's worked to just add some weights on top of the box; am I case to door stoppers hold it down.

That's great man, glad things are working out.
Trial and error

 

[RalphLambrecht]

That's great man, glad things are working out.
Trial and error

Thanks. I think it's just my tenacious character; never give up.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I have one. PET film is a little difficult to cut, but it works ok other than that. 120 is a little tricky to load. I'd invest in a crank. Make sure the clamp is centered.

That was a good tip and helped me to get the first 35 mm roll until the spiral yesterday. I am unstoppable now.

 

[neilt3]

So far it's worked to just add some weights on top of the box; am I case to door stoppers hold it down.

To hold it to a worktop these double ended suction cups would seem to be ideal .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-30mm-...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

[Auer]

To hold it to a worktop these double ended suction cups would seem to be ideal .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-30mm-...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

The LB does not have a flat bottom.

And if it did, this would make tilting it during development a pain in the ass.

 

[neilt3]

The LB does not have a flat bottom.

And if it did, this would make tilting it during development a pain in the ass.

Probably not bother with them then .

 

[RalphLambrecht]

To hold it to a worktop these double ended suction cups would seem to be ideal .
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-30mm-...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

great idea but it turned out an anti-slip matt was al I needed.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I have one. PET film is a little difficult to cut, but it works ok other than that. 120 is a little tricky to load. I'd invest in a crank. Make sure the clamp is centered.

Today, I developed my first role of film in the lab box; frankly, it was a disaster; the film ended up all wrinkled and parts were un fixed. This box needs a redesign to pull in the film properly! Wish I could get my money back.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I have one. PET film is a little difficult to cut, but it works ok other than that. 120 is a little tricky to load. I'd invest in a crank. Make sure the clamp is centered.

Don't know about PET films; just using Milford and Kodak at the moment. Nevertheless, Ilford FP4 plus is a breeze to cut.

 

[Horatio]

Today, I developed my first role of film in the lab box; frankly, it was a disaster; the film ended up all wrinkled and parts were un fixed. This box needs a redesign to pull in the film properly! Wish I could get my money back.

Well, that sucks. I had some film buckling with mine, but I believe it was caused by reversing direction while turning the knob. I haven't used mine in months. I'm going to practice by loading a sacrificial test roll with the lid off to improve my loading technique.

 

[Auer]

I'm just gonna leave this here, without pointing at anyone specific.

If one follows every step in the manual to the letter, one will have no trouble with NON-PET films.

Every bit of trouble I had for the first 2-3 rolls I did, was basically me not paying attention.

The LB is dead simple and because of that somewhat deceptive if one is not a manual reading kinda guy.

If in doubt, sacrifice a few rolls and load with the lid off. It becomes pretty obvious if one is not doing something right.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Well, that sucks. I had some film buckling with mine, but I believe it was caused by reversing direction while turning the knob. I haven't used mine in months. I'm going to practice by loading a sacrificial test roll with the lid off to improve my loading technique.

That's a good idea. I think I'll do the same. No longer having the functionality on my left hand let me know choice but to make this work.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Agfa used to make a similar tank: https://emulsive.org/articles/revie...ht-film-processing-tank-the-agfa-rondinax-35u I think Leica sold a rebranded version. It's been out of production for a long time.

Yes this is it has gone used copies sell for crazy money so the lab box is the new game in town.

 

[Helge]

I’m amazed these are still selling after all the bad press? Is it that hard to get to a dark room for five minutes? Or build a changing box?
You are also writing off using different agitation schemes.

 

[AgX]

My saying all the time. (Though one may argue that when a dark room must be improvised or a changing bag is perceived as restrictive or damp, such tank yield a benefit.)

BUT this thread was started out of a need not covered in all the other discussions on daylight-loading tanks:
Facilitating reel-loading when somewhat handicapped and a standard reel is hard or impossible to load.

 

[MattKing]

I wonder if Ralph has access to an occupational therapist who would be interested in taking this on as a challenge.
Personally, I load some reels by holding the reel against my body with the side of my not so dexterous right hand, and use my left hand to do everything else.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I’m amazed these are still selling after all the bad press? Is it that hard to get to a dark room for five minutes? Or build a changing box?
You are also writing off using different agitation schemes.

I have access to a rather nice and well - equipped darkroom but that was not my purchase motivation. After the stroke I lost functionality of my left hand and can no longer small the film into the reel. I was hoping to overcome that with the lab box. After having ruined three films, I actually think I'm getting close to be able to do that. As I understand, what does tends to follow the instructions precisely. Soon, how are you in another try and will see.

 

[Helge]

I have access to a rather nice and well - equipped darkroom but that was not my purchase motivation. After the stroke I lost functionality of my left hand and can no longer small the film into the reel. I was hoping to overcome that with the lab box. After having ruined three films, I actually think I'm getting close to be able to do that. As I understand, what does tends to follow the instructions precisely. Soon, how are you in another try and will see.

Ok, that is quite a different story and case.

I’m always vary of any design that requires you to use both hands. We are all handicapped like that at points in the day or our lives.
The Patterson wheel and tank seems venerable, but it’s really just the lesser evil of many.
It amazing that someone haven’t come up with something better during all these years.
Would make the barrier of entry much less for many, many people.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Ok, that is quite a different story and case.

I’m always vary of any design that requires you to use both hands. We are all handicapped like that at points in the day or our lives.
The Patterson wheel and tank seems venerable, but it’s really just the lesser evil of many.
It amazing that someone haven’t come up with something better during all these years.
Would make the barrier of entry much less for many, many people.

All too true. On the other hand, I thought long and hard how to design a contraption that would pull a film into a film and reel. In the end I gave up because I just couldn't think of anything reliable and easy. A few years ago when both arms and hands were working, I couldn't get the film into the reel in a matter of seconds in that without the twisting action. I just started the film into the reel. Then held it in my right hand followed by pushing the rest of the film with my left hand until the film was fully inside the reel. Worked a charme.

 

[Horatio]

Ralph, I don't know of availability there, but the N2000/F301 has manual rewind and auto advance. It's been described as the "poor man's F3". It's manual focus, though. The N2020/F501 is AF. My N2000 is a decent little camera. I paid $20 US for it.

 

[Helge]

Ralph, I don't know of availability there, but the N2000/F301 has manual rewind and auto advance. It's been described as the "poor man's F3". It's manual focus, though. The N2020/F501 is AF. My N2000 is a decent little camera. I paid $20 US for it.

Tell us who did that, so we can permaban him.
Poor mans F3 is a banged up F3.
Or FE2.

 

[Horatio]

Tell us who did that, so we can permaban him.
Poor mans F3 is a banged up F3.
Or FE2.

No one here. But, since you asked

https://austerityphoto.co.uk/the-poor-mans-f3-the-overlooked-nikon-f-301-or-n2000/

 

[neilt3]

Ralph, I don't know of availability there, but the N2000/F301 has manual rewind and auto advance. It's been described as the "poor man's F3". It's manual focus, though. The N2020/F501 is AF. My N2000 is a decent little camera. I paid $20 US for it.

Tell us who did that, so we can permaban him.
Poor mans F3 is a banged up F3.
Or FE2.

No one here. But, since you asked

https://austerityphoto.co.uk/the-poor-mans-f3-the-overlooked-nikon-f-301-or-n2000/

To be fair to the F301 and F501 , I have both and they work perfectly . Exactly as the did from the factory .

I also have an F3 .
I had to buy three of them just to get one that worked !! The first two were D.O.A .
So on a reliability point of view , the F301 is superior to the F3 !

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Ralph, I don't know of availability there, but the N2000/F301 has manual rewind and auto advance. It's been described as the "poor man's F3". It's manual focus, though. The N2020/F501 is AF. My N2000 is a decent little camera. I paid $20 US for it.

The automatic rewind is the only issue I have with this camera. It's not a dealbreaker. I will get that film leader out somehow. I'm sure.