Ben Fraternale Gets Tanked: A Dive into the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank

Ben Fraternale (In An Instant) is back with Lomography, and this time, he’s diving into the world of self-developing with the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank. Known for his hands-on approach to analogue photography and his candid, witty takes on the process, Ben gives us an inside look at how this nifty little tank stacks up. From its sleek design to its promise of hassle-free development, Ben shares his experience, lessons learned and why he thinks this tool is a game-changer for anyone looking to develop their film at home. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, Ben’s got the lowdown on why this tank might just make your developing routine a whole lot smoother. Oh yeah, and Fern the corgi is there too.

Hey Ben! Welcome back to Lomography Magazine! How was your overall experience of using the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank?

Thank you for having me back in the funny pages! I’d say using this tank was a welcomed peek into a universe where developing film is even easier. It already is second nature to me, but this was addition by subtraction.

What did you like most about it?

I liked that I could just plop down and do everything without making my hands disappear into the changing tent. Although I’m comfortable with dark loading, any step you can remove from a process is going to make it feel that much easier, which it certainly is now.

Did you have any difficulties or challenges during the process of developing your film?

I found that films with a thinner base, like Foma or Lady Grey, are at risk of tearing inside the tank, so much like with life, I’ll stick to the thicker base.

What do you think of the design?

As an object, it is beautiful, and you don’t imagine saying that about a tank. It has a very midcentury feel to it, including the inner chamber which looks the controls for a 1950s radio. The instructions being embossed across the tank is also a fun touch because it leaves you with no excuse, just dev it!

Tell us a bit about your experience developing film at home?

I worked through a test roll of old film just to get a handle on how the tank functions. Then, I popped out and shot two rolls in one day, just to say I did, and to try to really capture the vibe of being able to process as quickly as you shoot. My first roll that day was a success, but due to the thin film base and the reel remaining a bit wet, the second roll tore, so I’d recommend making sure the whole system dries out between uses, and as I mentioned earlier, make sure you’re using a TBF “thicc base film” (unofficial term coined today).

How does the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank compare to other systems you’ve used?

The tank feels higher quality than the Patterson system I typically use. The plastic is rigid, the build feels tough, and it looks better to have around. The only manner in which it doesn’t stack up is the “one roll at a time” element, which other tanks don’t quite suffer from as you can load two or more, but this tank is the simple solution for quickly baking up a single roll, and it will be irreplaceable for that!

Do you have any tips for others using this developing tank?

My core tenets:
-Use when dry
-Stick to the TBFs (described earlier)
-Bracket optional

To that last point, the metal bracket which seals the tank extra securely for inversion development may not be make or break, it seems the tank is sealed well enough without it. So, if you’re tight on time once the chems enter the tank, you can wait to put the bracket on until you’re waiting between inversion cycles.

Who do you think the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank is most suitable for?

I think the tank is best for beginners who haven’t delved into the processing arena of film shooting. It offers a soft introduction, something anyone can do, and removes the most common elements of fear: screwing up while loading a reel, and exposing the film to light!

Would you recommend it for beginners?

Only if they want to have a nice time and see their hands.

For you, what is the appeal of self-developing film at home?

We are out here shooting film, something that is already irrational in many ways, but that’s part of its beauty. In doing so, we’re engaging with a process that goes beyond the shutter, and which requires a deeper level of interaction to make images come to life. Participating in the development stage of that analogue imaging process puts you right in the heart of the magic of celluloid. When you pull negatives that you cooked in the tank, there is an extra level of pride and artisanal craftsmanship possible from the efforts, and I recommend it to all who shoot!

Thank you so much Ben for testing the new Daylight Developing Tank! You can find Ben's video review of the tank on Youtube, along with a catalogue of videos that would cause Edwin Land to take a step back and say, "Damn."

You can check out more of Ben's photography and other shenanigans on Instagram.

written by chloefuller on 2025-05-07 #gear #news #people #black-and-white #first-impressions #lomo-daylight-developing-tank Share Article