Tree’s First Experience with the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank 35 mm: Turning the Waiting Time into Part of the Process

In the digital age, the ritual of film photography remains captivating. However, the complex darkroom developing process often intimidates beginners. This time, we follow Tree, a film enthusiast trying the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank 35 mm for the first time, to see how her first self developing experience goes.

Camera: Olympus OM-1
Film: Berlin Kino B&W 35 mm ISO 400
Developer: Locally packaged chemical solution
Fixer: Locally packaged chemical solution
Developing Method: Agitation process

Hi Tree, welcome to our online magazine! This was your first time developing film on your own. What kept you from trying it before?

A few years ago, I had the chance to develop color negatives in a darkroom with an instructor guiding me through every step, which felt reassuring. But I’ve never been confident in my technical skills, and I always thought the developing process was too complicated—I was afraid I’d ruin my film. Also, my home wasn’t suitable for setting up a darkroom, and with two mischievous cats around, I was worried about the toxicity of the chemicals.

Now that you’ve used the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank 35 mm, how was your experience compared to what you initially thought about film developing?

The biggest difference was how simple and lightweight the process felt. I did everything right at my desk, following the step-by-step video tutorial, which made it really beginner-friendly. Since all the steps were concentrated in this small tank, the whole process felt clear and straightforward.

Did you face any challenges during the process?

Since it was my first time developing film alone, I had some doubts about the chemical ratios, waiting times, and temperature control. I was also worried that the chemicals might not fully cover the film. But thankfully, the tutorial was detailed enough, and in the end, I successfully developed my film! Seeing my photos appear on the film brought back the memories of each shutter click—it was incredibly satisfying.

I love how compact and convenient it is—it feels like a little memory-preserving canister. It condenses the darkroom into a portable time capsule, keeping the entire process within this small developing tank. And since it doesn’t require a darkroom, you can develop your film even in bright daylight without disrupting the magic of memory preservation.

Who do you think the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank is best suited for?

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to experience the process of developing film themselves but feels intimidated by the complexity of traditional darkroom setups. Since it doesn’t require much space and is easy to use, it’s a great choice for film photographers looking for a more accessible way to develop at home.

What’s the biggest appeal of developing film at home for you?

For me, it’s how it turns waiting into a tangible experience. Usually, after shooting a roll, I’d rush to send it out for developing, then anxiously check the tracking updates over and over, refreshing my chat with the lab, hoping for a preview link. But with this tank, I can see my results the same day I finish a roll. And stirring the chemicals makes me feel like some kind of light-crafting sorcerer—there’s something truly magical about it.

Any advice for others trying this developing tank for the first time?

Don’t be afraid! Trust yourself, embrace the new experience, and follow the tutorial step by step. Wishing you all successful film developing!

A huge thank you to Tree for sharing her experience and creative insights! If you love her photography, be sure to check out more of her work on Xiaohongshu!

written by jluo on 2025-05-28 #gear #people #black-and-white #first-impressions #lomo-daylight-developing-tank Share Article