Film Development Tank - Photax

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Photax

c. 1954

Subcollections

Overview

Components of a Photax Universal Film Developing Tank Model 20, consists of a light-tight Tank Body, a Reel (or Spool) for holding film, a Lid with a funnel for pouring chemicals, and a central Agitator/Pourer to ensure even chemical distribution and to release pressure, featuring a unique hybrid design combining ratchet and thumb-winding for film loading. Key parts include the tank's base, the lid's inner sealing gasket, the reel's adjustable width for different film formats (35mm, 120), and a built-in pressure release valve in the lid to prevent chemical spurting

Historical information

A Photax film development canister (or tank) is a light-tight container used for processing black & white and color film at home, popular for its robust design, often featuring universal reels for different film formats like 35mm and 120, requiring loading in the dark (using a changing bag if no darkroom) before adding chemicals for development, offering a reliable way to develop film

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2026.006

Item type

Themes

Material

Inscriptions and markings

Bottom of cylinder: "Photax. Made in England at Eastbourne. Patents Applied for"
Side of cylinder: "20 Model. Universal Film Tank. 290ml for each 35mm. 500ml for 120 or 220"

Contextual information

The Donor of this device comments as follows:
"The technique and skill was removing the roll of film from the camera and feeding it into the tank's spirals in TOTAL DARKNESS! Once the film was safely inside the tank, and the lid screwed on, the darkroom lights could be switched on and the development fluid poured into the tank"

Keywords

Camera Accessories

Place made

Eastbourne, England, United Kingdom

Year

c. 1954

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Last modified

Wednesday, 7 January, 2026

Completeness