Agfa Rondinax - anyone else use one?

A few months ago I bought a Rondinax daylight developing tank. For those who've never used one, this gadget enables you to develop negatives without a dark room or light-proof bag. You simply place the film cartridge in the box, clip the end of the film to a rubber strip, close the lid, and turn a knob to wind the film onto the drum. You then use a built-in cutter to free the end of the film from the cartridge before filling the tank with developer and processing as normal.

I'm just amazed that these are no longer made. I wouldn't try processing colour film but for black and white it's absolutely brilliant. It takes roughly 15mins to process a film. I follow the instructions included with the film, but use the Rondinax manual's instructions on how to agitate it (a half turn of the knob every two seconds). The results are excellent.

If anyone else is looking at buying one, make sure that the film guide is included. I initially thought that mine was missing, but it turned up elsewhere in the packaging. Without the guide the tank is useless, as the film will not feed onto the drum properly. As the guide is not physically attached to the tank (it just sits on a pair of pivots and needs to be removed to lift the drum out after processing) they can go walkabout very easily.

Wikimedia has photos of one here http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Agfa_Rondinax_35_U

There is also a wider version that I believe is intended for 120 film. I quite like the idea, but for the fact that I can't see how it will deal with 120 film having backing paper.

I suppose it depends how much it cost compared to a standard Paterson tank, or maybe how available and well advertised it was.

It's not necessarily the best product that is the most successful.

Interesting device, a search of the internet brought up the manual for it.

This is something that I could go for, unfortunately as John says, it's not necessarily the best product that is the most successful.

So the chance of one on ebay at a good price will be very slight, still I can look and hope.

Yep, I downloaded and printed the manual from the same source. Mine has the original box, but no paperwork.

They do come up on ebay fairly often, just keep your eyes open (especially in the new year when the consumer machine orders people to "de-clutter" and they turf out the old wardrobe with grandpa's camera kit in it). I doubt that I paid much for mine as I was sceptical of how effective it would be. Having put a couple of films into it and had them come out well developed and with good contrast I'm very impressed.

My Dad used to use one for 120 film with very good results, unfortunately all his darkroom gear was sold off a couple of years back including the little Agfa tank.

I've been considering doing my own 120 film development this year (there's nowhere local that will do it any more) so I may keep an eye on eBay for something similar to pop up

If you see one and start bidding let us know Hefty, that way we won't up the price accidentally!

How did the 120 version deal with the backing paper on the film? I remember it being a pain when I developed a couple of rolls of 120 with my Dad's old Paterson System 4 tank about ten years ago, so I'm intrigued as to how the Rondinax would handle it.

(assuming here that all 120 film is the same - I had Ilford which had a plastic spool with the film and a light-proof backing paper around it).

Four on ebay at the mo.

I couldn't tell you. I never actually did any developing myself and it never occured to me at the time to ask, but it certainly gave good results so my Dad obviously knew the trick.

Mine arrived today!

A 35mm version. It was listed as being unused, with original box. I was doubtful about it being unused, but it turned out to be true! The thing is absolutely pristine. Obviously never seen a film or been filled with anything. The box is a bit tatty, though. - I'm almost reluctant to spoil it with use, now!
I expected it to be made of some heavy and brittle Bakelite type material, but this one is made of quite modern, pliable plastic. Perhaps I got one of the last to be made, in the seventies, rather than the fifties. It is exactly like the one in Dangermouse's link. White knob and orange film chamber button.
I too, cannot understand how these tanks are so little known. You'd think they would have been the norm, instead of the inconvenient ones you have to load in total darkness.

Thanks Dangermouse, for the advice and tip about making sure it was complete before buying. I asked the question before bidding.

Now,... I must go and shoot some film!

Mine's definitely bakelite - I have to put it in the airing cupboard for a couple of hours before using it, otherwise it'll cool the developing chemicals! I suspect that there are at least two variants as it doesn't have the orange/white knob either.

I must get out there and use the roll of B&W I have loaded in my MX. I haven't used it much of late as I've not really seen anything worth using film on. I think there are a few test shots from lenses I'd repaired (couple of 50mm bought cheaply with fungus, immaculate now I've cleaned them out) on there but nothing else.

I love my Rondinax(es). So much more convenient than mucking around in the dark with a Paterson tank. I've heard they're not everyone's cup of tea though. The trick is to move the knob in short jerks. (Not too jerky!) Also, the clear plastic strip holding the film clip comes unglued on every one I've seen and needs to be refixed with proper flexible plastic cement.