eTone Darkroom 120 135 Spiral Reel

Curated from 80 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: January 5, 2025

eTone Darkroom 120 135 Spiral Reel

Brand: eTone
Price: $20
Snoop Score:
3.5
Sentiment
2.2
Popularity
3.2
Technical
4.2

Snoop's Take

This eTone Darkroom 120 135 Spiral Reel is a specialized film holder designed for wigobolt, jobo, and compatible 120/135 developing tanks. It mechanically accommodates one roll of 135 film or two rolls of 120 film with a twin ball ratchet system, making it a niche tool for film processing enthusiasts. Consumers have been candid in their debates: while some exude enthusiasm stating, “I absolutely love mine, but I tend to dev in huge batches and do some for friends,” others are quick to rail about pitfalls such as instructions being solely in Chinese or the tank capacity limitations. There’s also chatter about its audibly noisy operation and doubts concerning its performance with color processing, highlighting its mixed reception. The sentiment is as clear as it is divided, showcasing a product that definitely serves a specific purpose even if not without quirks. In sum, if you’re an experienced darkroom user or a hobbyist unafraid of some eccentricities like cryptic instructions and minor design limitations, this reel might be just what you need. However, professionals or beginners seeking a full-feature set may need to weigh these concerns before diving in.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Film Processing Equipment

I absolutely love mine, but I tend to dev in huge batches and do some for friends.

Positive Feedback

Purchased one but instructions are in Chinese.

Negative Feedback
Product
3.5
eTone Darkroom 120 135 Spiral Reel
Home Darkroom Setup
4 / 10
Educational Purposes
4 / 10
Professional Film Development
4 / 10
Hobbyist Exploration
4 / 10
See how this compares to all Film Processing Equipment

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Reliable performance for high‐volume film development
I absolutely love mine, but I tend to dev in huge batches and do some for friends.
Good quality and affordable price
Many film oriented products, good quality and at Chinese prices.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Instructions are in Chinese
Purchased one but instructions are in Chinese.
Limited tank capacity without extension
How big of a tank does one of these support?
as it comes it can only fit a two spiral 1520.
Excessive operating noise
sounds like an old drill making a hole in concrete.
Limited suitability for color processing
Fine for B&W at near room temps but can't see how they work for consistent C41/E6 dev.
I heard it’s only good for B&W but I want it for C41?

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Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Inquiry about optimal black and white developing settings
What settings would you use for BW developing with this?

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Mechanical rolling may be inefficient with very short development times
The developer is so short that it's not worthwhile to roll mechanically.

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