Lab-Box - what a disaster

beemermark · Feb 11, 2022

So about 9 months ago I lost the "dark" room I was using to put film on reels. Using a changing bag was sort of annoying so I thought I'd try the Lab-Box I had heard so much about. The first attempt with 35mm film I ruined 4 or 5 rolls before giving up. The film never separates on the reel, 90% of the film is being glued to other parts of the film. I Googled and read everything I could about loading film to no avail. even reached out to the manufacturer. So I starting thinking maybe something was wrong with the reels. So I bought a new reel - same results. Threw it all in the closet. Anyway I came across it cleaning out the closet and thought I'd try the 120 reel. First roll of film only two negatives stuck together. So maybe I'll try it again. 2nd roll was a utter disaster. Tonight was my 3rd roll in 3 days and only one neg (out of 12) is salvageable. So I can't get the film on the reel in the groves to keep it from touching the adjoining film. Before I use this as target practice at the ranch does anyone have ideas or have had the same problem?

Philippe-Georges · Feb 11, 2022

A very long, long, time ago, I used the AGFA Rondinax 60 (roll film), the grandmother of the famous Lab-Box.
As I recall, I had somewhat the same problem as you have. Then I used the ruined film to practice dry, first in plain daylight to see what actually went wrong (I can't recall exactly what) then I practiced, dry again, with the lid closed. So, step by step, I managed to tame that little beast.
Yes, use that nasty box as a target, but shoot dry first, so to fathom its character...
Good luck!

RalphLambrecht · Feb 11, 2022

beemermark said:
So about 9 months ago I lost the "dark" room I was using to put film on reels. Using a changing bag was sort of annoying so I thought I'd try the Lab-Box I had heard so much about. The first attempt with 35mm film I ruined 4 or 5 rolls before giving up. The film never separates on the reel, 90% of the film is being glued to other parts of the film. I Googled and read everything I could about loading film to no avail. even reached out to the manufacturer. So I starting thinking maybe something was wrong with the reels. So I bought a new reel - same results. Threw it all in the closet. Anyway I came across it cleaning out the closet and thought I'd try the 120 reel. First roll of film only two negatives stuck together. So maybe I'll try it again. 2nd roll was a utter disaster. Tonight was my 3rd roll in 3 days and only one neg (out of 12) is salvageable. So I can't get the film on the reel in the groves to keep it from touching the adjoining film. Before I use this as target practice at the ranch does anyone have ideas or have had the same problem?

I have not tried 120 yet but can now load 35mm after several ailed attempts. All I can say is follow the instructions to the 't' and it will work.

Auer · Feb 11, 2022

beemermark said:
So about 9 months ago I lost the "dark" room I was using to put film on reels. Using a changing bag was sort of annoying so I thought I'd try the Lab-Box I had heard so much about. The first attempt with 35mm film I ruined 4 or 5 rolls before giving up. The film never separates on the reel, 90% of the film is being glued to other parts of the film. I Googled and read everything I could about loading film to no avail. even reached out to the manufacturer. So I starting thinking maybe something was wrong with the reels. So I bought a new reel - same results. Threw it all in the closet. Anyway I came across it cleaning out the closet and thought I'd try the 120 reel. First roll of film only two negatives stuck together. So maybe I'll try it again. 2nd roll was a utter disaster. Tonight was my 3rd roll in 3 days and only one neg (out of 12) is salvageable. So I can't get the film on the reel in the groves to keep it from touching the adjoining film. Before I use this as target practice at the ranch does anyone have ideas or have had the same problem?

Reel is assembled wrong. Read instructions carefully and do it again, even if you think its right. Happens to just about everyone, myself included.

Make sure the clip is on straight to pull the film on the reel correctly. Dont go too fast.

This is really worth sacrificing a roll of film for, do it open so you can see how it works. Practice.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 13, 2022

Auer said:
Reel is assembled wrong. Read instructions carefully and do it again, even if you think its right. Happens to just about everyone, myself included.

Make sure the clip is on straight to pull the film on the reel correctly. Don't go too fast.
I also noticed that the crank,although great for agitation, is inferior to the knob to wind the film into the reel;t goes too fast. use the knob for winding and the crank for agitation!
This is really worth sacrificing a roll of film for, do it open so you can see how it works. Practice.

gone · Feb 13, 2022

Yikes! What a nightmare. For me, it's been easier to use my bathroom as a "darkroom" just for loading film. There's just the 1 window to cover, and a blanket hung on two nails/screws in the top of the door frame covers stray light from there. The tank I bought is a Beseler, but it's a duplicate of this one below. Great tank, no leaks, and the reels are super easy to load due to the wide aprons on them. All in all, it's a lot better than the Paterson System 4 it replaced.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304341900491?hash=item46dc30dccb:g:1-cAAOSw-zlh-all

Nitroplait · Feb 14, 2022

beemermark said:
Using a changing bag was sort of annoying so I thought I'd try the Lab-Box I had heard so much about. <snip>

A changing bag is even more annoying than what you have gone through?
Cut a cardbord box to fit in the bag so the top of the bag doesn't rest on the working area.

SilverShutter · Feb 14, 2022

Nitroplait said:
A changing bag is even more annoying than what you have gone through?
Cut a cardbord box to fit in the bag so the top of the bag doesn't rest on the working area.

The size of the changing bag makes a huge difference. The cheaper smaller ones are a pain to work with but if you get a bigger one and use the cardboard box trick it works out a lot better, plus the fact that you can take them with you when you travel.

tezzasmall · Feb 14, 2022

Nitroplait said:
A changing bag is even more annoying than what you have gone through?
Cut a cardbord box to fit in the bag so the top of the bag doesn't rest on the working area.

What a great and simple idea!

I ended up buying a popup type changing bag, as a small deflated one is a real pain and the small space becomes very humid very quickly, which only makes more problems if you can't load your film quickly enough!

Terry S

VinceInMT · Feb 14, 2022

Back when I was doing lots of pinhole photography I used a DIY changing box. Black pant legs taped to the openings of a cardboard box.

Nitroplait · Feb 14, 2022

VinceInMT said:
Back when I was doing lots of pinhole photography I used a DIY changing box. Black pant legs taped to the openings of a cardboard box.

Nice!

NB23 · Feb 14, 2022

This reminds me when I was using the 4x5 ilford pinhole around Paris, had to change sheets after each exposure. 40 times. In the end i got quite good at it but what a pita...

Auer · Feb 14, 2022

Be nice if the OP could get his LB to work as intended, since he already owns one.

Nitroplait · Feb 14, 2022

Auer said:
Be nice if the OP could get his LB to work as intended, since he already owns one.

I think people are nice. He also own a changing bag it seems, and with a little change in approach, it might be an easier way to get good results.

beemermark · Feb 14, 2022

I've used a Changing bag since around 1980, so I'm no stranger to them. I used to haul my 4x5 with my camping gear on the back of my BMW motorcycle while riding across county. Changing 4x5 film holders is actually easier than roll film in a changing bag. AS I said at the beginning I lost my darkroom for about a year so I bought a Lab-Box. I have my re-built darkroom back so I really don't need the Lab-Box, but after shelling out over $200 I would like it to work. Been running a ruined roll of 120 thru it and I might have it solved. Issue is trying to get the film guides in the right spot (even though have an indent to position each guide). Also the 120 reel flanges aren't flat, so when the reel is assembled the reel width changes as you roll the film on. still trying to figure that one out. For the price it could have been much better constructed.

And no the reel flange labeled R goes on the end of the spindle marked R. Hard to see but otherwise idiot proof.

Sirius Glass · Feb 14, 2022

I use the Changing Room, but it is a bit cramped for loading 4"x5" film in Grafmatic 45s.

grat · Feb 26, 2022

beemermark said:
Been running a ruined roll of 120 thru it and I might have it solved. Issue is trying to get the film guides in the right spot (even though have an indent to position each guide). Also the 120 reel flanges aren't flat, so when the reel is assembled the reel width changes as you roll the film on. still trying to figure that one out. For the price it could have been much better constructed.

You know the Lab Box has problems with PET based films, yes? The company has a list under their FAQ, I believe.

grat · Feb 26, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I use the Changing Room, but it is a bit cramped for loading 4"x5" film in Grafmatic 45s.

It's just about 2 inches short for me. So I wind up partially folding up the Grafmatic while loading the septums, but then I have to remember to make sure the counter slide is out of the way before I load it. Still better than fighting the bag that's draped across my hands.

Sirius Glass · Feb 26, 2022

grat said:
It's just about 2 inches short for me. So I wind up partially folding up the Grafmatic while loading the septums, but then I have to remember to make sure the counter slide is out of the way before I load it. Still better than fighting the bag that's draped across my hands.

I too would like a stretched version.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 26, 2022

VinceInMT said:
Back when I was doing lots of pinhole photography I used a DIY changing box. Black pant legs taped to the openings of a cardboard box.

Great idea!

beemermark · Feb 27, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I too would like a stretched version.

Actually mine is too big! I bought it a long time ago to replace a worn out one that I had. I think from Freestlye and at that time they had too sizes, regular and big. I bought the big (great for 4x5) but for 35mm everything (think scissors, tank, tank lid, church key, etc.) gets lost in the bag once loaded -

BTW, after loading 120 film (ruined in the box) 30 times with the light on and lid off I've finally managed to develop a few rolls successfully. No success with 35mm.

AgX · Feb 27, 2022

Having followed the Lab-Box threads so far, I wonder, with so much money to spend, and so much hassle to expect, is it a worthwhile tool?

mshchem · Feb 27, 2022

I have a darkroom, I use IR goggles to load everything.

beemermark · Feb 27, 2022

AgX said:
Having followed the Lab-Box threads so far, I wonder, with so much money to spend, and so much hassle to expect, is it a worthwhile tool?

I'd say no but then I might want to sell mine - When it works, it works well. Depends on your circumstances I think. If you don't have a light tight room then how much do like loading film in a changing bag? Depends on the film and type of reels. I finally and have success with 120. Not really putting more effort into 35mm film because I have a "dark" room again. Generally I load two reels of film in a tank and the lab box only does 1 roll then you have to get it dry before you can it again. I think it would be nice when I would only have one roll to develop.

Lab-Box - what a disaster

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