Lomography Daylight Development Tank – Prototype Review
Lomography UK recently reached out to me with an exciting proposition: to test a prototype of their new Daylight Development Tank. As someone who exclusively develops their own film, I jumped at the chance to see how this tank would handle both black-and-white and color film, including some cross-processing.
Shooting & Developing Workflow
The Daylight Development Tank’s light-safe design means you don’t need a changing bag or a fully darkened room. After a quick dry run, I was able to load my reels quickly and confidently. For black-and-white development, I turned to 510 Pyro, a staining developer derived from pyrogallol, which dates back to the earliest darkroom practices of the 1830s. It creates both a silver image and a stain image, allowing for impressive highlight control and nuanced mid-tones. This makes it a favorite of mine for portraits or any high-contrast scene. LomoChrome Purple, Kodak XX, and Kodak Aerocolor rolls were cross-processed in Bellini’s ECN-2 chemistry, which I prefer over traditional C-41 for its subtle color shifts and softer, more cinematic contrast.
Maintaining the correct temperature for ECN-2 can be slightly more involved, especially if you’re traveling or don’t have a controlled darkroom setup. The Daylight Tank floats once filled, so I had to be diligent about keeping it submerged in a water bath at the right temperature while preventing any liquid from seeping in. Although it’s possible to process multiple rolls, color developer kits often have a limited shelf life and are meant for a fixed number of rolls, so big batches can be time-consuming. However, for a single roll or the occasional small batch, the Daylight Tank’s compact and portable design is a real advantage.
Comparisons & Convenience
My usual go-to for development is a Paterson tank, an AGO and a dark bag. Compared to these, the Lomo Daylight Tank streamlines the single roll process, making it easy to slip into your luggage along with a couple of small bottles of chemistry. Some might label it a beginner’s tank, but I see real value for seasoned photographers who want to develop on the go. It eliminates the need for extra reels, large gear, or a separate dark bag, and that’s a huge plus if you love travel photography or simply want a more flexible setup. Combined with something like a Valoi Easy35 for scanning, and you have a great all-in-one solution.
Loading is straightforward once you’ve practiced with a dummy roll. Temperature control for color processes like ECN-2 requires consistent monitoring with a thermometer. For agitation, I strongly lean to rotating for this tank to prevent uneven development, especially with C41 and ECN-2. Keep the tank in the water to prevent cooling with color films. Follow these steps, and the Daylight Development Tank is a versatile tool suitable for everything from black-and-white portrait work to adventurous cross-processing.
Final Verdict
After testing a variety of cameras and film stocks, I’m impressed. The Daylight Development Tank prototype blended user-friendliness, portability, and enough durability to handle a range of chemical processes. Although it requires a bit more care when maintaining temperature for color kits, and more time if you’re processing large batches, the convenience and freedom it offers balances these considerations when you’re away from home.
I’m rating the Lomography Daylight Development Tank 4 out of 5 on my “Liquid Light” Rating Scale. Bearing in mind that this is a prototype, that’s not bad going at all! The only issue I had was in cutting a roll of film on my first try, which I attribute to user error and not the tank.
The “Liquid Light” Rating Scale
Fogged Negative (1 Star): The results are badly compromised and not salvageable.
Underexposed Frame (2 Stars): Something might be there, but the quality isn’t ideal.
Usable Negative (3 Stars): Good enough to print or scan but not exactly eye-popping.
Gallery-Ready Print (4 Stars): Excellent performance, sharpness, and tonality suitable for exhibition.
Darkroom Masterpiece (5 Stars): Nearly flawless, Holy Grail status.
I want to extend a sincere thank you to Lomography for sending me this prototype unit. It’s an exciting addition to the world of analog photography, and I look forward to seeing the final version.