Lin Wanchuan’s First Experience with the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank 35 mm

What if you could develop film without a darkroom? Lomography's Daylight Developing Tank promises to democratize film processing. Longtime LomoAmigo Lin Wanchuan puts it to the test with his trusty Lomo LC-A+ and Berlin Kino B&W film. From chemical mixing to final scans, join us for an intimate look at this game-changing development system.

Camera: Lomo LC-A+
Film: Berlin Kino B&W 35 mm ISO 400
Developer: Locally packaged chemical solution
Fixer: Locally packaged chemical solution
Developing Method: Agitation process

Hi Lin Wanchuan, welcome to our online magazine! As a longtime LomoAmigo, did you ever expect Lomography to release a film developing product?

Honestly, I never thought about it—it was a true surprise! After all, film developing usually has a high time cost and technical barrier for most people.

As someone who is experienced in home developing, what was your first reaction when you heard about the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank?

Curiosity. I wondered whether this product was designed as an experimental tool for creative play or if it was truly meant to simplify the traditional developing process.

How do you feel about the Lomo Daylight Developing Tank 35 mm?

It’s compact and very sink-friendly—perfect for small home setups. Loading the film wasn’t complicated, and in fact, it felt almost elegant. Once I tried it, the advantages of using this tank over a traditional dark bag became very clear. The quality is solid, and pouring the chemicals felt smooth and effortless.

Lin Wanchuan’s Developing Workflow:

What’s the biggest appeal of home developing for you? And what’s your favorite feature of this tank?

Speed and control are the two biggest draws. Instead of waiting 2-3 days for lab processing, I can see my results on the same day, which is great for spontaneous shoots or gatherings with friends. There’s also something incredibly satisfying and immersive about the process. Picture this—a sunny afternoon, music playing in the background, and the gentle swishing of chemicals as I develop my film on the balcony. It’s almost meditative, like washing a car or brewing a cup of coffee.

What I love most about this tank is how intuitive the film-loading process is. It reminds me of advancing film in a camera, a small but meaningful step that builds anticipation for the final images.

Do you have any tips for first-time users? Would you recommend this tank to beginners and why?

This tank is designed specifically for 35 mm film, so if you plan to develop 120 film, you’ll need a different setup. The film reel needs to be completely dry before reusing it, so plan your developing sessions accordingly.

I’d definitely recommend it to beginners. It’s incredibly easy to use—there’s no need to worry about fumbling with a dark bag or accidentally exposing your film. As long as you prepare the chemicals correctly, everything else is straightforward. This is especially true for black & white film, which is more forgiving with temperature and timing variations.

Can you share your feeling on using the DigitaLIZA Max?

The first words that come to mind are compact and well-crafted. Even on my cluttered desk, I could easily make space for it. Every component is precisely designed, and when assembled, it all fits together seamlessly. The modular design makes it highly efficient, and the magnetic attachments are incredibly practical.

What impressed me most was the smartphone focusing system—thanks to the sliding mechanism at the base, I could achieve sharp focus in under a minute.

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

written by jluo on 2025-05-14 #gear #people #black-and-white #first-impressions #berlin-kino #lomo-daylight-developing-tank Share Article