First Impressions of the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank by Daniel Ruffles
8UK-based photography student Daniel Ruffles is well versed in developing film at home. In 2024 he wrote a blog post on his website detailing the process and documenting the challenges and rewards that come from DIY film development. In his article he explains that "wrestling with film canisters in a lightproof bag definitely tests your patience and dexterity." We wanted to share the new Lomo Daylight Developing Tank with Daniel and hopefully make his home processing experience even more enjoyable, so we sent him one of our first prototypes and he tested it out with a roll of Lomography Lady Grey B&W 400 ISO 35 mm film, shot using the LomoApparat camera and souped using some gin, tonic, lemon and salt water.
Photography equipment used:
Film camera: LomoApparat
Film: Lady Grey ISO 400 35mm B&W film souped with gin, tonic, lemon and saltwater
Developer: Rodinal
Fixer: Ilford Rapid Fixer
Development method: Agitation
Hi Daniel, please tell us a bit about yourself.
I've extensively pursued photography for around 12 years, with a focus on the landscape and place. Being born on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, I'm surrounded by beaches, beautiful woodlands, estuaries, and big, open skies. It's been a constant source of inspiration and I just love being out in the wild. I work with both digital and film photography and am currently pursuing an MA in Photography to further hone my interest and creativity.
What's your current experience of developing film from home?
I got into home developing at the start of 2024. I’d relied on labs previously, but with development costs along with the cost per roll increasing, I made a conscious decision to get to grips with developing at home, working with 35 mm, 120 and 4x5. I don’t have a darkroom, so rely on using a dark bag.
What did you choose to develop?
I used a LomoApparat, occasionally employing the kaleidoscope add-on for some additional creativity when I fancied it, along with Lomography Lady Grey 400 35 mm film. Developed with Rodinal, I really like the somewhat classic look of this film, as it offers a nice tonal range.
400 ISO is a versatile speed for the LomoApparat too, particularly in mixed lighting conditions. Thankfully, the sun made a rare appearance on this specific trip. The images were all shot in my hometown of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and on this occasion, I souped the film in a solution of gin, tonic, lemon and saltwater – leaving it to dry before loading it into the tank.
How was your overall experience of using the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank?
I found it easy to get to grips with. From separating components to loading the film and winding in the tank. The instructions were clear and concise, and I found the tank to be well built and put together. It also feels compact too.
What did you like most about it?
Loading a film without a dark bag is most definitely up there as being one of the things I liked the most. I remember having various snags the first couple of times that I used one, and whilst I can use them seamlessly now, having something that you can just control in one unit – from loading to cutting the film, makes the process much slicker and easier. I’d have definitely opted for something like this in the first instance if it was available.
Did you have any difficulties or challenges during the process of developing your film?
On emptying the chemicals, I found that it took me a little while to get used to holding the tank comfortably to avoid any spillages. This mostly comes from me using a larger 35/120 Paterson tank where one hand can grip the sides. This point is minor and wouldn’t deter me from using the tank again.
For you, what is the appeal of self-developing film at home?
Whilst there’s a cost involved in getting the equipment, this soon pays for itself – especially with black and white film. You also have a bit more control in the process, and it’s always satisfying to see your negatives come off the reel. I also get to see the images on the same day as I shot them, rather than waiting roughly a week for them to land in my inbox. Developing at home has certainly made me more engaged with the medium and allowed me to experiment a little more than I normally would.
To see more of Daniel's work and his home processing experiments visit his Instagram page @danielianphotography.
2025-03-20
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